1. Sharing Our Acceptance and Respect 2013-2014
S.O.A.R.
Sharing Our Acceptance and Respect
Before the meeting: nametags made, treats on hand, Attitude Surveys copied, Think Before You Speak handouts copied

2. What is S.O.A.R.?
S.O.A.R. is a disability awareness and training program. The program teaches students who do not have disabilities ways to support and encourage their peers who have disabilities, at school and in the community.

3. How does S.O.A.R. work? Academic strength
Team members are selected for:
Academic strength
Good verbal communication skills
Compassion
Flexibility
Leadership skills
Teaching Note: Emphasize that team members are an elite group of students who have been selected because they demonstrate these qualities.

4. How does S.O.A.R. work? Learn Understand Plan Practice Brainstorm
Problem Solve
Teaching Note: These is the framework for each team meeting. They will learn about and come to understand the gifts and challenges that come with a disability. They will plan how to use this learning with their buddy. They will practice the skill on the playground with their buddy. They will come back the next week to report on success, or brainstorm and problem solve new strategies.

5. What is a disability?
Disability means that a person is not able to perform an every day task(s) due to a physical, cognitive or sensory impairment.
* Complete Attitude Survey
Teaching Note: After reading the slide, stop and have students complete the Attitude Survey. File this away because they will do the same activity during one of their last meetings, and reflect on how their attitudes have changed.

6. Fact or Myth? People with disabilities can’t learn.
You can catch a disability.
People who have hearing impairments can’t use a telephone or watch TV.
People who have visual impairments can’t read or write.
People who use wheelchairs don’t play sports.
People who have disabilities can’t get jobs, get married or live independently.
Teaching Note: This works well as a group thumbs up/thumbs down lesson to show their thinking.

7. How do people become disabled?
Birth
Serious illness or disease
Accident or injury
Teaching Note: Stress that a disability is not something that you can “catch” from another person like a cold.

8. How are we alike? We go to school. We want to have friends.
We want to learn new things.
We like to play games and sports.
We enjoy sharing stories and music.
We get lonely, sad and frustrated.

9. How are we different?
We must rely on other senses to learn about the environment. *
We may use special equipment. *
We may look or act different.
We may not be able to walk, talk or learn like other students.
* We call this “adapting”
Teaching Note: Stress that everyone uses strategies to adapt during their day (e.g. students who oversleep may “adapt” for being late by skipping breakfast!). Kids with disabilities have discovered ways to adapt in order to help them gain access to things that may be easy for their classmates to access.

10. Use Person-First Language
Remember that individuals who have disabilities are people first.
Use language like:
My friend who has a disability.
My classmate who uses a wheelchair.
The kid at my school who as autism.
* Think First Then Speak handout
Teaching Note: Hand out the brochure and have students practice using person-first language with a partner.

11. 8 Easy Ways to Be Supportive
Be Smart!
Be Aware!
Be Positive!
Be a Kid!
Be Respectful!
Be a Friend!
Be Patient!
Be Yourself!
Teaching Note: Being a SOAR team member is EASY!