Module 6: Module Scenario Activity
Learning about resources in your local community is vital to supporting students and parents of those students who may be looking for resources. Educational professionals are in a pivotal role to be able to act as an advocate, and one critical need is for those professionals to learn about the resources within their local community. In the Omaha Metro Area, there are a number of community resources that support the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. Try to create a list of the resources and organizations you are aware of then compare them to the following list of resources. While this list is not exhaustive, it helps to highlight the diversity of services available within the surrounding communities. If you are not familiar with an organization’s supports, watch the video to learn more.
Visit the Community Interviews page on the Project FEET website.
Then think about which of those organizations and community supports can help you complete the following case studies. Each allows for the opportunity to explore resources within your local community so that you are knowledgeable about those resources and can subsequently serve as an important link for families.
Elementary Example:
Meet Zachai:
Zachai is a 4th grade student with a mild intellectual disability attending [name of elementary school] in Omaha, Nebraska. The family recently moved to the area from out of state to move in with Zachai’s grandparents who are experiencing declining health. The family is looking for resources to support themselves and their child. What recommendations can you provide? How will you help support the family?
Secondary Example:
Meet Annie:
Annie (the student’s Americanized name) is an 8th grade student with Down Syndrome who is nonverbal. She attends the local [name of middle school] in Omaha, Nebraska. The family recently moved to your school after fleeing warfare and civil unrest in their home country. Annie’s parents have limited communication skills in English. Annie’s family knows that there will be much greater opportunities for Annie given the mandate for educating students with disabilities in the United States, but they are not really sure where to start looking for community supports when they have only been in the area a few weeks. What recommendations can you provide? How will you help support the family?
For each scenario, also consider the questions below:
- What supports are available within the school/district?
- What supports are available for the student and family in the surrounding community (the Omaha metro area). Be sure to specify any related costs for the family and the distance of these supports from the local elementary school.
NOTE: This scenario can be modified to address students with various disabilities, grade levels, and schools in the local area.
