I noticed all of the issues mentioned earlier in the website in my community, including lacking inclusion of students with disabilities in clubs and in the social life of my high school. To address this, I found a program to integrate students with disabilities: a buddy system.
what are buddy systems?
what was my idea?
At my school, and seemingly most high schools, there seemed to be a greater disconnect between students with disabilities and the general population than there had been in earlier grades. To counteract this, I decided to create a buddy system after school club.
The club focused on connections between students with disabilities and students in the general population. Students had to commit to a semester of participation to ensure continuity. The club met once weekly for lunches. Later there were small afternoon meetings to socialize and play games. Larger events occurred less often, often overlapping with school dances or games.
|