Friday, November 13, 2009

Inclusion Program Testimonial

Imagination Stage has long had a commitment to inclusion and access for children with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. In summer 2009, supported in part by a grant from the National Inclusion Project (www.inclusionproject.org), we provided inclusion support for 86 children so they could participate in our popular summer camps. These supports consisted of the following:
--Conducting intake meetings with students and their parent/caregiver
--Devising strategies for success
--Creating individualized inclusion summaries
--Working with staff and faculty to make adaptations to lessons and classroom environments
--Follow-up and observation of students in classes
--Modification and adjustments to inclusion supports

Below is a letter to Diane Nutting, Imagination Stage's Director of Access and Outreach, from the mother of a 14 year-old boy with Asperger Syndrome:

“Social interactions and group activities are very difficult for my son. Although enormously interested in a variety of topics…he has little opportunity to share his interests with others. He doesn’t really have friends. At Imagination Stage he got a taste of something different. At your suggestion, he took a class on a topic he know a lot about (Shakespeare), which gave him a sense of security. You provided him with a wonderful dedicated aide, who quietly guided him through any difficult situations that arose, coaching him toward more appropriate interactions…To see him play Feste in the final scene of Twelfth Night on the last day of camp, singing a song with half a dozen children dancing around him, was a dream come true. He breaks out in a grin whenever I remind him of the experience.

Saying people with disabilities are welcome is one thing, but making that commitment meaningful by putting substance behind it is another. What sets Imagination Stage apart, in my experience, is that you and your staff put so much intelligence, enthusiasm, creativity and STAFFING behind your words. From the first conversations I had with you, the questions I asked and the suggestions that were made reflected a real understanding of autism spectrum disorders and the strategies that work to support a student.”

We’ll post another parent letter next week.

Labels: , ,

posted by Imagination Stage at 10:46 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Everybody Plays

Recently, Imagination Stage adopted the slogan “Everybody Plays” to highlight our programs and services for students with disabilities. From its inception, Imagination Stage has had a commitment to empowering children of all abilities through the arts. For many years, we have offered peer group classes through our Access program which provide focused instruction for students with disabilities in a smaller class setting. Through the years, as the disability community has changed, our programming has changed as well. Imagination Stage has recently entered into a partnership with Kids Included Together to strengthen our model of inclusion and the supports we offer students with disabilities, whether they choose to be in a peer-group Access class or in an inclusion setting with typically developing peers.

When creating an inclusive class or camp, we often initially focus the majority of our attention on the child who has identified as having a disability. And rightly so. Our staff talks with parents to discover the unique facets of their child, and then works with faculty members to help create an inclusive classroom environment that will guarantee a successful experience. Access staff might suggest specific classroom strategies, or place an assistant in the room to help facilitate inclusion in the classroom. As we focus on creating an equitable experience for the child with a disability—we have found it equally exciting to watch how inclusion impacts children without disabilities.

In inclusive settings, students learn the tools to successfully dispel preconceived notions, break down barriers and create common ground. Inclusion teaches patience—as children learn the benefit of waiting to hear what a peer has to say (even if it takes that student longer to say it). Inclusion fosters creativity—we find that children often come up with better and more creative inclusion solutions than any of the adults. Inclusion teaches children that there is no “one way” to do anything—there are different ways to communicate, different ways to comprehend, different ways to act, sing and dance. Inclusion teaches children to accept individuals for who they are—valuing the unique strengths that every student brings to the table.

As Director of Access and Outreach, I get to foster these types of learning moments and hear of our success stories around our “water cooler” each day. However, last summer, I had the opportunity to personally see the tenets of inclusion in action as I directed a production of Willy Wonka Jr. which included several students who had identified as having a disability. From day one, our staff emphasized that everyone brought special gifts to the production process. As we began to navigate the daily routine and the needed inclusion supports for each activity, I began to notice that the emotional environment of my company was changing. My students began to take care of each other—as fellow actors and as fellow humans. And “taking care” did not mean “looking after the students with disabilities.” No, each student—disabled or not—seemed to reach beyond themselves to care for each other and for the well-being of the ensemble as a whole.

On the day of the performance, I watched my students sing the coda of the song “Pure Imagination”—which they also signed in American Sign Language:

If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.
Anything you want to, do it.
Want to change the world? There’s nothing to it.
I was struck by the poignancy of these lines in the moment. Looking around at my ensemble, I realized that these students would indeed be able to change the world. And that the experience of this summer was perhaps helping to lay the foundation for a world where diversity is cherished, acceptance is routine, and inclusion is a way of life.

By Diane Nutting

Labels: ,

posted by Imagination Stage at 5:23 AM 1 Comments

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

If you love what you do, you'll never spend another day at work

For more than fifteen years I’ve been with the Deaf Access Program at Imagination Stage, and I love what I do! Back in 1993 we had a group of Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing teenagers, a meager budget, Tuesday night rehearsals, painted cubes for a set, props that included umbrellas with cookie cutters hanging from them, lights that were either on or off, a dedicated group of staff, a lot of fun, and of course an outstanding production.

In 1998 we received our first of 3 three-year grants from the U.S. Department of Education, and everything started to change for the better. We had enough teenagers to create two Deaf Access companies, and enough funding to hire professional set, sound, and costume designers, and of course we still had Tuesday (and now also Wednesday) night rehearsals, a dedicated group of staff, a lot of fun, and two outstanding productions. We also brought in professional guest artists (deaf and hearing) to meet with our teens, to show them the professional world of theatre outside of our doors.
In 2003 we moved into a brand new theatre in downtown Bethesda, where our students performed Pinocchio Commedia for their debut in the new space. We added lighting designers to our professional roster, and continued to grow. We partnered with well-known children’s author Phyllis Limbacher Tildes who had been inspired by our Deaf Access Company to write The Garden Wall about two children, one Deaf and one hearing, who become friends. We added programming for middle-school deaf, hard of hearing and hearing students who were clamoring to work together. All while we continued to be inspired by our students, encouraged by our audiences and enthused from one another.

In 2008 our funding opportunities ran out. The program has changed, but our enthusiasm remains strong. When the economy picks up, and our funding becomes stable, we will still be here, loving what we do.

By Wendy Calhoun

Labels: ,

posted by Imagination Stage at 9:54 AM 0 Comments

Monday, November 17, 2008

"There are two alternatives when dealing with a disability; either it dominates you or you dominate it."

Poet David Wright (who is deaf) might not have ever met Dame Evelyn Glennie, but his statement could easily define her outlook on deafness. Determined from a young age that people around her needed to see her for what she could do instead of for what she couldn’t hear, Evelyn’s story is a true inspiration to all of us.

Seeing the person first, and not the disability, is at the forefront of Imagination Stage’s Access programs. Since 1988, Imagination Stage has worked with members of our community who have disabilities and pioneered a number of innovative and successful approaches to inclusion.

Recently Imagination Stage’s Access program was selected as one of five organizations nationwide to become a national affiliate of Kids Included Together (KIT). As an affiliate, we have embarked on a two-year partnership which includes opportunities for training and consultation to both Imagination Stage staff and faculty on a regular basis with regards to inclusion supports in the classroom for students with disabilities. In 2009 Imagination Stage staff will be trained as Inclusion trainers to then serve as a regional resource for inclusion of students in out-of-school time programs.

The process of Inclusion at Imagination Stage is much like that of the work of an orchestra – each part is vital to providing its own sound, and contributing to the success of the group as a whole. Our instruments are supportive parents, nurturing faculty & staff, and welcoming peers. Working together they create an environment that celebrates each person’s ability to participate in the arts, and seeing that magic happen week after week here at Imagination Stage is music to my ears.

By Lisa Agogliati, Deaf Access Program Director

Labels: ,

posted by Imagination Stage at 5:58 AM 0 Comments

Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814, Phone 301-280-1660

Get news and specials offers: