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ARTS GROUP URGES INCLUSIVE CLASSES TO "EXPRESS DIVERSITY"

September 10, 1999

VSA Arts has a new way to tackle one of inclusion's biggest challenges - teaching general ed. and special ed. students to respect each other. Express Diversity! is a new program from VSA, formerly Very Special Arts, that provides a set of sequential lesson plans and a variety of support tools teachers can use to show students what it feels like to have a disability. The program was designed with grants from the U.S. Department of Education, the Christopher Reeve Foundation and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and is available to schools for $75, at VSA's cost to produce it.

The program's goal is to expand students' "sensitivity and awareness about society and the importance of every individual," VSA says on its Web site. "The topic of disability is infused into the arts in such a way as to promote discussion and new insights." Five separate learning modules address various topics, starting with "Introduction to Disability," a blind-folded sculpting activity that helps students better understand sensory perception. Two other modules, "People First" and "Important Contributions" teach students correct language for referring to people with disabilities and help them learn about famous and not-so-famous people with disabilities. Another project, "Communities for Everyone," students work together on a mural to redesign their communities as barrier-free. Finally, "Inventions and Independent Living" charges students with finding a solution for problems of daily living people with disabilities face.

Express Diversity is a multi-media program, including computer programs, videos, posters, flash cards and templates for letters teachers can use to let parents know about the program. A bulletin board kit helps students and teachers graphically display information about disability history, famous people and interesting facts, while a sample braille card and an American Sign Language primer help students learn new ways to communicate.

As schools continue to reformulate classes to adhere to federally mandated inclusion guidelines, VSA's Express Diversity program is designed to help teachers make the most of that transition. The program is written at the fifth grade level but is adaptable for all K-12 grades. "Using the arts as a means to enhance communication and unity in the classroom, Express Diversity! encourages children to ask questions, engage in discussions, and work toward a better understanding of each other," the organization says.

Express Diversity is one of nine programs currently underway by VSA Arts, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. The group also operates an art gallery and conducts arts festivals throughout the year. VSA, founded by Jean Kennedy Smith, turned 25 years old this summer.8