"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.

Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

                                                                                                                              -Margaret Mead

 SOFU Events Slide Show

   Speak Out for Understanding was the focus of Public Square, a live television show on

      Vermont Public Television, Thursday, June 26 at 8:00 PM.

Project Title                   Speak Out for Understanding 

Project Coordinator        Maureen Charron-Shea, M.S., CCC-SP

Contact Information      Harwood Union High School

                                       458 VT RTE 100

                                       South Duxbury, VT 05660

                                       Tel. 802-882-1147

                                       FAX 802-882-1147

                                       csheam@harwood.org

Summary                             

Through a dynamic service-learning project titled Speak Out for Understanding, a group of high school students with varying abilities is learning to speak out for themselves and others. After exploring some of the challenges facing students with disabilities, they discovered that a lack of understanding is a big part of the problem. To address this lack of understanding, a group of high school students decided to create a documentary film to raise awareness by telling their own stories to selected audiences for the purpose of bringing about change. Their stories will inform teachers, parents, and others about the challenges they face as students who have been identified with Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia, Downs Syndrome, and other disabilities. Problems such as discrimination, stereotyping, difficulty learning, and social isolation will be brought to light and students will suggest actions to overcome these challenges. In addition, these students will provide positive role models to others. Through creating and presenting their film, along with panel discussions, students will be empowered to engage their community in a conversation about understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities.

The idea of empowering students of varying abilities to work together to inform others is a natural solution to a troubling problem. In addition, the goals of the project parallel students’ curricular and individual education goals of communication, self-advocacy, and self-determination. This project will seek to become a model program that will be replicated to benefit larger numbers of students and their communities.

If you are interested in showing SOFU to your classroom, copies are available at the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. Click here to request a copy from the Clearinghouse Library.

CHECK OUT THE SIDE BAR!