Sunday, May 25, 2014

Make Your Voice Heard

Im a writer; I'm a writer and I started this blog because I wanted  my voice to be heard.  I'm a quiet, shy person in general but I'm also quiet because I have 40% lung capacity and it takes a lot of energy to get enough air out in order to project my voice.  So, I'm a writer with a blog because I need a way to get my opinions heard throughout this world.  This is my voice and I beleive that everyone's voice should be heard. 
        Sometimes it's hard to have the confidence to speak when it's hard to speak.  Sometimes it's scary to speak, to make your voice heard, to share your opinion just in general.  We are scared or at least I am of people judging me.  I like to hear people's opinions on what I have to say.  I like to have friendly debates but when it comes to using my quiet out loud voice in public speaking I'm scared of what people will think when my voice gives out. 
     It easier said then done but I truly believe that not caring what people think makes it easier to do what needs to be done.  It makes it easier to share your opinion and not feel beaten down if others are judging.  It makes it easier to not assume others are judging you.  
     It doesn't matter if you can or can not speak.  It doesn't matter if you have the power to make your voice loud enough or not.  It doesn't matter if you stutter or stumble on words.  There are things you can do to be self sufficient.  You can hope people listen hard and listen close, you can get an app on your tablet or something where you type a sentence and it speaks for you, you can write, and you can do so much more.  
      I beleive that everyone's voice should be heard no matter how it is heard.  No matter your abilities and disabilities.  I once said "I have the power of silence; it moves people."  This I believe. 

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Segregation in the Classroom

Is it right to have a classroom of only students with disabilities?  
     
Some of you may say that it depends on the focus of the class and the nature of the disabilities.  That it is not right to have students who have cognitive disabilities in a classroom of students who are mentally their age.  But let me ask you this: is it right to have a classroom of only African Americans or only whites or only lesbians or only gays or only bisexuals or only transgendered people?  The answer is NO, it is not right!  It is not even right for me to categorize and for that I am sorry.  So then why do people seem to think it's alright to put every student who has a disability into one classroom at the end of the hall where the door is always closed?
     It is hard work for the adults to accommodate for the students needs, therefore these needs do not get met and the child is left with no way to demonstrate their understanding.  Some kids have trouble with talking and writing, and left with no way to show that they know what's going on.  The teacher is then discouraged to teach their students anything, taking their students out of class when they should be learning, baking and doing mindless activities.  This is what happens in a "special ed" classroom and this is why students with disabilities should not be put into special ed.  No one should be segregated and segregation should not be happening. 
     You may be thinking, "What about the kids who actually need to be in the special ed classroom?"  A student who has a cognitive disability often benefits in many ways by being surrounded by their same age peers.  It not only benefits them socially but it also with speech and understanding because of the interaction with kids their own age.  It also benefits the typically abled students in having the knowledge to interact with the student who have disabilities as you would interact with anyone else.  
     All students in a school are students just the same, so treat them like human beings, like kids and treat others how you would like to be treated.  Remember: "All students are general education students, some students have special education SUPPORTS."