UCP of Central Florida Alyssa Barber   barber.alyssa@knights.ucf.edu Sarah Simons simons_sarah10@knights.ucf.edu Krissy Shearer krishawnashearer2010@knights.ucf.edu June 25, 2011 EEX 4242 and EEX 4070

Introduction to the Host Setting UCP-United Central Palsy UCP’s mission: We are the experts for children with special needs. By providing the best support, education and therapy, we offer hope to everyone touched by a disability. UCP provides a comprehensive SET of services -Support, Education and Therapy -- for more than 2,300 children up to age 21, in their homes as well at six locations throughout Central Florida: Downtown Orlando, Lake Mary, East Orange, West Orange, Pine Hills, and Kissimmee.

Engagement Activities The community need we decided to address was children with disabilities at UCP that are of the age four and five. Two days a week for 3 hours a day we were engaged in different learning centers such as reading with every student in the classroom. The 15 hours of service learning was completed by going to UCP on Tuesday and Thursday every week for 3 hours starting June 6. We took part in this summer camp at UCP that provided learning activities, therapy, and care for children with all types of disabilities.

Participant Demographics In the classroom where we completed our service learning hours there was around 12- 15 children of all ethnicities such as, Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic. The age range in the classroom we were in was age four and five year olds. All students spoke fluent English as their first language. Under the regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a student is considered disabled if he/she: has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. The site below explains different types of disabilities that were encountered in the classroom at UCP such as, hearing impairment, multiple disabilities, and speech or learning impairments. http://nichcy.org/disability/categories#hearing

Service in Action

6 The Classroom Learning Centers Computer Art Blocks Reading Play Dough Dress-up

Perceptions of Differences At first, volunteering with children with disabilities seemed to be a frightening and intimidating experience. Working with these children has shown how bright and capable they are. Regardless of their disabilities, each child comes to class each day with a smile on their face, which is inspiring and heart-warming. The part of volunteering at UCP that had the most impact was seeing how each student treated each other. Whether a student was in a wheelchair, had hearing aids, or had a speech disability, all students played together without hesitation.

Connections to Our Courses Alyssa is enrolled in EEX 4242 Sarah and Krissy are enrolled in EEX 4070 3 course topics better understood Hearing impairments The lack or reduction in the ability to hear clearly At UCP, a student with a hearing impairment could communicate easily with sign language and lip reading in addition to his hearing aids

9 Connections to Our Courses Physical disabilities The inability for the body to function normally physically Many students with physical disabilities function at the same cognitive level as students without physical disabilities Behavior management Each student responds to consequences differently Teachers must vary how they respond when a child is uncooperative

Civic Engagement Our perspective of Civic Engagement and volunteerism is when people have the ability to work within the community for the needs of others, “Lend a Helping Hand.” PURPOSE: Allows people to learn and grow while helping others. THOUGHTS: Was able to see first-hand children who are special but yet the same as me. This experience has motivated us to become more involved with volunteering for organizations for children with disabilities. I would definitely encourage teachers and students to embrace service-learning because the knowledge and connections you will encounter are an amazing learning experience.

FINAL THOUGHTS/REFLECTION To help work towards a greater understanding, empathy, and opportunities for persons with disabilities, people should volunteer! To help others become involved I will encourage service-learning and volunteering. Through these experiences you will learn so much about persons with disabilities and yourself. ROLE OF TEACHERS Educate and Protect Leaders, an impacting force to the next generation Teachers are truly paramount to the "greater good” of society by educating children and moving them towards their future. WHAT I’VE GAINED Understanding of my role as a teacher We are different and unique but the same