Demystifying Disability Read Along

Fall is my favorite season, and I’m feeling excited about cooler weather, holidays, new novels by my favorite authors, and our KIT Demystifying Disability Read-Along! I hope you plan to join us in reading Emily Ladau’s brand new and very approachable guide to all things disability. Our staff and BOD members are starting today, Tuesday,…

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KIT Spotlight on Justin Dart Jr

31 years ago, back in 1990, Senator Harkin from Iowa worked to draft the Americans with Disabilities Act. Truly a historic event for all Americans! But, do you know the history behind the ADA?  Justin Dart, Jr. who has been called the “Father” of the ADA, along with his wife, Yoshiko, played a significant and little-known part in bringing it all together.

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Celebrating Influential Women

Our February celebration of Black History Month was such a powerful and positive experience for the KIT team that we’ve decided to celebrate a different community’s contributions every month this year. We are focused on our mission of disability inclusion and want to amplify disabled voices and take an intersectional approach to this project. The KIT…

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KIT Spotlight On Keah Brown

The next staff member to shine the KIT spotlight on an influential Black person to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishments for Black History Month is Content & Curriculum Director, Anna Luther. Anna joined KIT full-time in December of 2012. Anna began working with individuals with developmental disabilities in 2002 as a personal assistant and teacher…

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We LOVE February

February is one of my personal favorite months because I love LOVE in all its forms. I’m also a fan of all the standard Valentine’s Day fare – chocolate, champagne, and flowers. So, if you need me this month I’ll be doing heart-shaped crafts and sending out my Valentines. Here at KIT, we are in…

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When I Know My Work Here is Done

With the holidays coming, everyone at school as been squirrelly, students and teachers alike. With the restlessness has come some behavioral challenges, and I have felt myself beginning to lose patience. Sometimes, I just think to yourself, “Were my directions really that difficult? Why doesn’t anyone seem to listen? If I hear, ‘Wait, what are…

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A Leak in the System: When a Little Girl Felt Sorry for My Son

This week, we are honored to share with you this moving piece about the damage that pity for individuals with disabilities can cause. This post, written by Mary Evelyn from What Do You Do, Dear? appropriately and powerfully identifies the problem with feeling sorry for people with disabilities. We have confidence that, had the little girl in the gauzy white…

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Announcing February’s Advo-KIT of the Month

This month, we are thrilled to showcase the amazing work and ideas of Karen Palmerlee, a Resource Specialist Teacher at Butte County Office of Education in Bangor, California! Congratulations, Karen! The following is our interview with Karen on her inclusion philosophy. When were you first introduced to inclusion? Why did you choose to become a…

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Introducing December’s Advo-KIT of the Month!

This week, we are celebrating the amazing advocacy of Susan Ratkovsky, the Director at Ellsworth Air Force Base Child Development Center in South Dakota. Read ahead for our interview with our Advo-KIT. Please describe your current position and your experience working with children of all abilities. I have been in the early childhood field for…

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Congratulations to Sheri, Advo-KIT of the Month!

This September, we recognize Sheri Sherman, the Education Specialist at the San Diego Zoo, for her continued commitment to inclusion. Sheri works tirelessly to maintain a program that is inclusive to children of all abilities. We hope you are as inspired by her efforts as we are! When were you first introduced to inclusion? Why did…

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