March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This month is about ensuring every student in our district feels included, empowered, and supported. From elementary school through graduation, our schools use tailored approaches to make sure every student can participate fully in our classrooms.

Bessie Coleman Elementary: Strengths and Play

At Bessie Coleman, supporting students starts with a simple belief: every child has unique gifts. When staff work with students who have developmental disabilities, they focus on using a student’s specific interests and the power of play. By making learning materials accessible and multisensory, the school creates a community where every student can build genuine friendships.

Cheldelin Middle School: Learning from the Curb Cut Effect

The entire school community recently participated in lessons on anti-ableism, including learning about the curb-cut effect. This concept explains how an invention designed for people with disabilities often benefits many others. In the classroom, teachers use software to lower the reading level of texts so that every student can join in on discussions and assignments. Students also use the ReadWrite program to access word prediction, text-to-speech, and picture dictionaries, allowing them to navigate their classes with more independence and confidence.

Corvallis High School: Preparing for the Future

At Corvallis High School, the focus is on giving every student the support they need to develop skills for life after high school. The Life Skills program meets students exactly where they are each day. By using individualized curricula and detailed support plans, staff constantly adapt to students’ needs to ensure everyone can succeed in the classroom and participate in school activities.