Special Education: Iss Aff Persons W/Disabil

Students study the effects of discrimination, advocacy, litigation and sociological perspectives on disabilities. History, current legislation, and family issues for children and adults are emphasized.

Open to Degree and PACE students; Class has asynchronous online and in person components, dates TBA

Course Purpose: This course builds awareness and understanding of the experiences of individuals with disabilities and their families, focusing on school and community experiences. You will be invited to engage in critical self-reflection about your own experiences, beliefs, and knowledge regarding disability, and to become more equipped to participate in and advocate for inclusive schools and communities. Enduring Understanding: Personal values about human differences are influenced by history and culture. Essential Questions: • EQ1: How do historical events, attitudes, and legal mandates shape the ways in which society has responded to people with disabilities? • EQ2: How and why are cultural and family contexts used to develop supports and services for people with disabilities? • EQ3: Why is it important for people to work together to improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities? • EQ4: What approaches and practices are effective in supporting the needs of individuals with disabilities across the life span?

Learning Objectives: 1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of key legal and political frameworks impacting people with disabilities and their families. 2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of major disability categories as defined by federal law and their implications for school, career, and community life. 3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the key social networks and support systems of people with disabilities. 4. Students will demonstrate reflection and critical self-awareness regarding their own positionality and intersectional identities regarding disability, and the importance of self-determination for disabled individuals and communities. 5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices that may meet the instructional and SEL needs of students with disabilities, and the need for comprehensive, collaborative service delivery models to meet these needs.

Attendance and In-Class Participation, Weekly Online Learning Activities, Multimedia Research Project, Midterm Exam, Final Exam