9T Considering Equity

The students are working on inquiries to answer the question "How can we make our community accessible and equitable for people with diverse abilities?"

 My Year 9 class has viewed, listened to and researched information about a range of disabilities. A parent of a young man with Down Syndrome has shared her views on how pay equality has not made it equitable for disabled adults to be employed. We started our inquiry by viewing a movie about Dr Temple Grandin's life. Dr Grandin faced many challenges from students, educators, employers and strangers who saw her autism but not the brilliance of her engineering designs or the child and young woman who had a right to be respected.

 Throughout their study, the students have impressed me with their knowledge gained through research and their sensitivity when discussing and sharing what they have found. The students are now in the phase of planning an action that provides an equity based solution to a need that they have identified.

 I am excited about some of the actions that the students are developing. If possible, we aim to develop these ideas into real action for our community.