A Touch of Understanding offers disability awareness programs in schools that build inclusivity, empathy, and respect. ATOU teaches kids to respect others regardless of their physical or mental abilities, reducing the chance of isolation and encouraging friendship and understanding. Learn more about their work here!
Can you tell me about the need for your work?
A Touch of Understanding is all about building empathy and igniting respect. We provide disability awareness programs designed to educate a new generation to understand the challenges associated with disabilities and to accept and respect all individuals. We hope to minimize the discrimination, bullying, and misunderstanding experiences by children and adults who are perceived as different for any reason, but especially those with disabilities. So far, we’ve reached over 146,000 students, held over 3,500 workshops, and served 269 schools.
What do your in-class programs entail?
Our award winning character-building educational workshop serves elementary through high school students, teachers, staff, and administrators in local schools. We guide students through activities in which they build life skills that enable them to understand and relate to people with disabilities. As a result, teachers, parents, and students observe an increase in positive interactions and friendships, which decreases bullying and isolation. This exposure increases kids’ understanding and comfort level with those with disabilities, serves as an anti-bullying program, and encourages respect.
What is the purpose of the Youth F.O.R.C.E. Club?
The Youth F.O.R.C.E. Club was founded in response to parents and teachers requesting ongoing participation with our program. What started as 12 members has now grown to over 200 who participate in monthly activities, help with presentations, and lead training and community events. Some activities include holiday parties, lake days, art nights, movie nights, and goal writing events. We also have a high school club which brings disability awareness to students on campus and volunteers with us. Our F.O.R.C.E. Clubs connect schools to our programs and teach students to become leaders, creating inclusive communities in the process.
What kind of etiquette training do you offer?
We have an event called Dark Meals, which is when participants have a meal without the use of their sight. By eating while blindfolded, individuals learn disability etiquette training in a fun and unique way. The Spirit of Inclusion is a hands-on disability training for businesses, government agencies, and other adult and professional groups that teaches people about disability etiquette and the importance of reasonable accommodations. In both programs, participants acquire skills to more easily and comfortably interact with individuals with disabilities including blindness, deafness, paralysis, loss of limb, and autism.
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