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Empowering Abilities

This series shines a light on the abilities of students with physical and mental disabilities and approaches to teaching them.

Learning life skills ‘where life happens’

Sparta Riley Kelley

Students with special needs are getting out in the community and learning valuable skills in the process.

Basketball team unites students, promotes inclusion

Wyoming Erin Albanese

From hyping each other up, to teaching and learning skills to cheering on teammates, Unified Sports is all about coming together.

Special education: fulfilling the promise of education for all

All Districts Carol Lautenbach

As a child learns and grows, special education support evolves and changes as well. We spoke with a local educator to learn more about those supports and how parents can best advocate for their child.

New adaptive classes help bridge differences

Sparta Riley Kelley

Students thrive, lead and learn in new, inclusive courses at Sparta Middle School.

All hands on deck for this holiday celebration

Kent ISD Brett Atwood

Lincoln Developmental Center transforms into a winter wonderland when students and staff members deck the halls.

Students spruce up greenhouse, make home for houseplants

Lowell Erin Albanese

Lowell High School students are cultivating a space where staff members’ plants can thrive.

‘It’s really all about providing equity’

Grandville Ezra Craker

General education students and students with cognitive impairments get to learn alongside each other...

Newly configured preschool focuses on being inclusive

Empowering Abilities Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

This year, all of Godwin’s 4-year-old preschool students are now housed at the Early Education Center...

Hot off the 3D printer: communication equity

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

When staff looked to build a better keyguard, they didn’t have to go far to find a solution...

Friendships form through positive links

Byron Center Alexis Stark

Byron Center’s LINKS, recognized by Special Olympics, pairs up students for fun and friendship...

Kind, inclusive, encouraging

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Central Elementary students practice acceptance and kindness, and share the lessons around school...

Annual LINKS lunch serves pre-holiday staff meal

Byron Center Alexis Stark

LINKS students at Byron Center High sent their teachers off with full stomachs right before Thanksgiving break...

Students build skills via community coffee cart

Lowell Meghan Gracy

Students from Lowell High School’s transition skills class practice vocational skills when they serve coffee, hot chocolate, snacks and more at Brody’s Be Mobile Café...