This is a great theme and definitely thought provoking from the planning aspect !!
Disability in essence means to me, unable to do something. For getting around and access it may well only be because of a current set up.
The severity of a disability could affect or be an inabilitly / difficulty to walk, talk, communicate, manouver.
For cultural awareness do you have any Children, parents or anyone / thing else that needs to be included in the plans for diversity ?
For maths you could look at distances, widths and heights - what width do doors need to be for wheelchairs to pass through - have different rulers, fabric & recoil tape measures, string, hands & feet for measuring distances between points and just randomly
.
How many wheels do some wheelchairs have and what size are they - are they different or the same. What other forms of transport uses wheels - skateboards, roller skates, buses, bikes, cars .. and do the children think they could be used for Disability .. if not, why & what could change to allow disability use !!
For older children contruction toys might be good to build & look at new inventions for getting around .. on & in !
Back problems, pain and reduction of mobility - you could have a hospital home corner with support bandages, arm slings, walking sticks, stilts for play & maybe crutches.
PD - Physical development could involve Yoga or other gentle stretching exercises - maybe look at physiotherapy techniques and types of equipment.
Chair exercises (good for computer users as well
lol ),
Rehabilitation after a knee replacement and
Paralympic sport ideas for the more energetic.
Possible circle time & free flow conversation:
- What do the children think 'Disability' means.
- Does disability have an age ?
- What experiences have they had of mild, moderate or severe disabilities.
- Can they name or recognise any aids - Hearing loop sign, Disability Carpark areas / parent & toddler (the disability is in needing additional space to manouver)
- What does everyone think of the difference between the two words Disability and Disabled.
- Everyone enjoys music (possibly
) what songs do the children like to relax and listen to ?
Do you have a puppy walker or service user that you could invite in for a chat on Guidedogs & how they help people with sight disabilities?
Craft for this could be making a collage dog - Use fluffy, furry & hairy things, a dog outline, scissors & glue - If the older children would like to try making the harness as well, perhaps include drinking straws & sticky tape - What sort of 'commands do the children think the puppy / dog will learn ?
Keystoneblind.org - activity ideas
Some forms of communicaiton for disability - keywords again sorry :
Braille, Teletype, Intercom systems, large text buttons - Telephones, calculators, T'internet
including speech readers - although most of these still seem to have a price tag attatched, so aren't imo truly accessible for us teaching littlies about them !! audio books, hearing aids and hearing dogs, Signage, Sign, touch & sound languages !
Disability Aids - is a pretty awe inspiring image search.
Do you have a local supermarket you could pop over to & ask if allowed to take some photos of their disability inclusions ?
Trolleys designed for Wheelchair & other users, escalators, stairs & their hand rails, lifts and open access toilets - these would be great for positive role images.
Building links with Parents & the community.
Making day to day things easier & examples of types of disability aids: these are some googled image searches:
Arthritis Aids,
motorised wheelchairs,
Grabber tools for reaching.
Lid removal - treasure basket
have the children tried removing jar lids with different tools.
To look at access problems - Ramps - risk assess to see if you can build low level ramps for the sit & ride toys . Height of counters, toilets, washbasins & reception areas, aisles & corridors - maybe you could take a tour and do a 'Disability hunt of your local area.
Use Treasure hunt sheets that have pictures on show what disability considerations are in place your immediate locality - a big sign from the carpark maybe, a ramp next to some steps to the Preschool, door bells or gate locks. Let the children mark off the item as they find it - good for KNUW
Disability isn't restricted to just people, the children may know of animals that needed help in recovering from a disabilitating illness/condition or that have an ongoing / permanent disability.
Disability regulations - WWW disability conformation - Some excellent
Disability FAQs from Broxtowe CC.
The radar key is a good idea for a locks/padlock & Keys game - have a selection of big gloves & mittens to wear - if the children want to and see which keys they find it easiest & hardest to operate - imagine if they were big grizzly bears with huge paws trying to open their letter box
lol - good opening for Goldilocks story !?
Disability is so much about overcoming its associated problems and trying to find solutions that allow for a relatively normal life .. whatever that may be, lol. eek I've rambled on again sorry, hope it all helps
