Disability Awareness: Investigating & Researching a Disability

Introduction

Welcome: Disability Awareness: Investigating & Researching a Disability

Description: This WebQuest was created to specifically help students living with a disability, gain a better understanding of who they are. It was designed for middle school aged students in hopes that they would, upon completion, understand themselves better as a student and learner as well as gain an improved sense of self worth. **Special Note: As a Special Education Teacher, I created this website with my own students in mind, the majority of which have been diagnosed with either a Learning Disability or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder.

Task

asks:

#1: Examine the sample IEP and complete the IEP Analysis Worksheet

#2: Research the following exceptionalities:

Learning Disability

ADHD

#3: Create a Power Point Presentation and share it with the class!

Process

Researching a Disability & Creating a Power Point Presentation!

Directions: You will be creating a Power Point Presentation that demonstrates your knowledge of the particular disability that you chose. You have specific questions to answer and facts to locate about your chosen disability. You need to be thorough and effective when conducting your research. Use the resources posted below to help you. As you locate the necessary information, you will need to record your findings as NOTES. Download the Notes packet and use it as you conduct your research. Your notes must be reviewed by Mrs. Williams before you can begin to create your Power Point Presentation.

Power Point Requirements:

• At least 12 separate slides that answer each of the questions stated below (letters a-o)

• Implement color, graphics, clip art, fonts, animation, etc., to make your presentation interesting to the class

• No mechanical errors (spelling, grammar, or punctuation)

• Include an introduction slide with your name and the title of this project and a conclusion slide with a list of the resources you used.

• Your presentation can be organized in any way that you choose as long as it is logical.

• You may add additional information that is related to your topic as long as you also answer all of the questions listed below

• Upon completion you will present your finished Power Point to the rest of the class.

Locate the answers to each of the following questions!

A. Define the disability you are researching; What is it?

B. Are their different types or kinds?

C. Who typically has this disability?

D. How do people get this disability or what are the causes?

E. How many people have this type of disability in the U.S.? (worldwide?)

F. What kind of characteristics or symptoms will a person with this disability display?

G. How is this disability diagnosed?

H. How does it affect a person’s ability to learn?

I. How is it treated?

J. What kind of help or support is there for people with this disability?

K. Does anyone famous or well-known have this disability?

L. State something new or interesting you learned while conducting this research.

M. Why did you choose this specific disability?

N. How should society and everyday people treat people with this disability?

O. Has completing this project changed you in any way?

Please look at the rubric to understand how your Power Point Presentation will be graded under the Evaluation tab.

Resources to use during the research process:

Information about Learning Disabilities (including dyslexia & dysgraphia):

LD OnLine works in association with the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities.

http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/whatisld

http://www.ldonline.org/adhdbasics/whatisadhd

http://www.ldonline.org/kids

NICHCY or National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs7txt.htm

http://www.nichcy.org/resources/LD1.asp

The website for Kids Health.org, created in support with the Nemours Foundation.

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/learning/learning_disabilities.html

The website for the International Dyslexia Organization:
http://www.interdys.org/FAQ.htm

The website for the Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky:

http://www.ldaofky.org/Learning%20Disability%20defined.pdf

http://www.ldaofky.org/printable_documents_of_interest.htm

The website for the Schwab Learning Foundation:
This is a non-profit foundation created by Helen and Charles Schwab back in the 1980’s when they were struggling to find information regarding their son’s learning disability. This foundation provides information and direct services to parents, children, and educators.

http://www.schwablearning.org/resources.aspx?g=1&s=3

**Information on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD or ADHD):

Resources from for the National Resource Center on AD/HD:
A program of CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/wwk

http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/parenting/teeninfo

Resources from the organization of CHADD:
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

http://www.chadd.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Understanding

More information from the Schwab Learning Foundation:

http://www.schwablearning.org/resources.aspx?g=1&s=4

**Websites that contain information on both ADD/ADHD and Learning Disabilities:

The website for the National Center for Learning Disabilities:

http://www.ncld.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=448

http://www.ncld.org/content/view/370/350/

http://www.ncld.org/content/view/1141/456166/