The Butterfly Effect of Teaching Inclusion | Rowan Dias | TEDxDeerfield

Key Concepts:

• Disability inclusion
• Education as a tool for inclusion
• Person-first language
• Adaptive sports
• Celebrating "instones" (small achievements)
• Breaking down social barriers
• Ripple effect of inclusion
• AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device
• Med 13L syndrome

1. Introduction: The Problem of Hesitation in Inclusion

• The speaker begins by illustrating a common scenario: a person with a disability is excluded from a pickup basketball game due to a friend's fear of saying or doing the wrong thing.
• The speaker argues that the problem isn't a lack of awareness that inclusion matters, but a lack of knowledge on how to successfully include individuals with disabilities.
• The core message is that education is crucial for effective disability inclusion.

2. Personal Experience: Growing Up with a Sister with Med 13L Syndrome

• The speaker shares their personal experience with their younger sister, L, who has Med 13L syndrome, a rare genetic disorder causing developmental delays in intellect, speech, motor skills, vision, hearing, and can cause seizures.
• Despite the challenges, the speaker and their brother viewed L simply as their baby sister.
• They accompanied her to therapy sessions, witnessing her efforts to develop skills that come naturally to others.
• The experience taught them patience, perseverance, and the importance of a strong support system.
• The family learned to adapt, using an AAC device (an iPad for non-verbal communication) and modifying their lives to prioritize L's development.
• They learned to celebrate "instones" – small achievements that might seem insignificant to others.

3. The Social Barriers Faced by Individuals with Disabilities

• As L grew older, the gap between her and her peers became more apparent.
• A typical 5-year-old has an expressive vocabulary of about 3,000 words, while L had only about 100 words.
• Despite being social, L was often overlooked or excluded, and struggled to keep up in mainstream programs.
• The speaker emphasizes that the biggest barriers are often social, not intellectual or physical.
• People hesitate due to fear of saying the wrong thing or not knowing how to include someone who communicates or moves differently.
• This hesitation leads to exclusion, impacting both the individual with a disability and their family.

4. Able Athletics: A Nonprofit for Inclusive Sports

• Inspired by their sister's experiences, the speaker and their brother founded Able Athletics, a nonprofit that fosters a supportive environment for children of all abilities to connect with their communities.
• It started with adaptive lacrosse sessions in backyards.
• As more volunteers joined, a disconnect was noticed: volunteers lacked the knowledge and skills to effectively support athletes with disabilities.

5. The Power of Education: Volunteer Onboarding and Training

• Able Athletics implemented an onboarding process for volunteers, led by special educators and therapists.
• The training covers what to expect, how to adapt, and how to communicate with individuals with differences.
• Example: Volunteers are taught to ask about preferred language (e.g., "person with autism" vs. "autistic person").
• The speaker emphasizes that when volunteers are given the right tools, they feel confident connecting with the athletes.
• Inclusion needs to be taught like math or sports, with understanding, guidance, and practice.

6. Able Athletics in Action: A Video Demonstration

• A video showcases Able Athletics' mission in action, highlighting the positive impact of inclusive sports.

7. Key Takeaways from the Able Athletics Curriculum

• The speaker shares key points from the Able Athletics curriculum:
  • Many people with disabilities want similar experiences as others.
  • Focus on the person first, rather than the disability.
  • Don't be afraid to ask questions.
  • Non-verbal doesn't mean someone doesn't have an opinion.
  • Success looks different for everyone.

8. The Ripple Effect of Inclusion: A Call to Action

• The speaker revisits the "inclusion matters" campaign, suggesting it would be more impactful if it demonstrated how to include someone with a disability.
• Education, not just expectation, is key to unlocking the community's potential.
• Small actions can create a ripple effect, changing lives for individuals with disabilities, their families, friends, and the community.
• The speaker challenges the audience to think about how they can be part of the butterfly effect of disability inclusion in their school, workplace, or friend group.
• Inclusion starts with small actions, learning about individuals in the community, asking questions, and creating spaces where everyone feels like they belong.
• If there's a lack of awareness and opportunities, be the first to create a ripple effect of inclusion.
• "My sister taught me that every step forward, no matter how small, matters. Inchstones are meant to be celebrated."

9. Conclusion: Building Inclusive Communities

• By equipping ourselves with the tools to connect, we can build communities where inclusion isn't just a word, but a way of life.
• Together, we can ensure no one feels left out because they experience the world a little differently.