By Evan Doan, News Editor
Students taking Professor Amy Barto’s Inclusion and Co-teaching class held a Disability Advocacy Awareness Event on the mezzanine in Alksnis. The event allowed students to present on a learning disability they had researched or potentially experienced during their classroom observation hours. The event also connected the students with non-profit organizations providing care or experiences to people with disabilities.
Education students giving presentations on their research of learning disabilities – Photo by Evan Doan
“I want them to understand that this isn’t a small part of a class they took in college,” said Barto. “My students will be dealing with people with learning disabilities their whole career and it is imperative that they learn how to include those students.”
Barto serves as a Board Member for the Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan and the Learning Disabilities Association of America. She is also a MI-LEND Fellow and serves as an advocate for students with disabilities.
Students presented a variety of learning disabilities such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, anxiety and processing disorders. Each student presented ways to identify each disorder and how the disorder affects learning. They also provided age appropriate books about their chosen disability that could help their students understand and develop coping techniques. The students then explained how they would change their teaching techniques to help better include those students.
Gavin Rozema and Easton Pratt give a presentation – Photo by Evan Doan
“I’ve worked with a lot of different students with a variety of different disabilities and this class has helped me learn ways to advocate for those students in my classroom and help them get the education they need in the way they need to be successful,” sophomore Jabben Bakker said.
Students were also required to volunteer with local non-profit organizations to gain experience and learn from people whose careers are providing people with disabilities with inclusive and immersive care and events.
“I want them to have that experience and opportunity to help those students,” said Barto. “It’s one of the main reasons we set up the event this way so the students could meet with these organizations.”
The event was a part of an ongoing class to help these students to include everyone in their classrooms.
Promotional poster listing non-profit organizations with representatives at the event – Photo by Evan Doan
The Saint 