Count me in! What is it?
Count me in! is a unique disability awareness program, created as a tool for schools to use to encourage inclusion, understanding and acceptance of people with differing abilities.

Why is this program important?
In schools and their surrounding communities, people with disabilities are often excluded because of misunderstandings that create physical and attitudinal barriers.  Count me in! provides an opportunity to break down these barriers.

How does it work?
Yearly classroom presentations provide students and adult volunteers an opportunity to experience both the emotions and challenges of a wide range of disabilities through the use of purposeful small group activities and discussions.

What are the results?
Count me in! has proved to be an effective means to increase understanding, and encourage both acceptance and friendships among young people and adults.  Count me in! provides a structure for teaching valuable life skills and opportunities for discussing related topics such as bullying. As a result, our community has become increasingly more supportive of its members with disabilities.

Program Overview
Count me in! is designed to be presented yearly.  Although our program is primarily used in grades K-5, it has been used successfully with older students and adults.  At each grade level, students experience and discuss a different
type of disability through the use of both interactive small group activities and discussions that are facilitated by school volunteers.  The discussions focus on understanding that ALL people are alike in many ways and also have differing abilities.  Person-first language is stressed, along with friendship and kindness.  Tactile, visual and auditory activities allow for all learning styles.

Volunteers
Volunteers are a key ingredient in the success of Count me in!  Detailed curriculum guides are provided and hands-on training is encouraged for each grade level.  Many volunteers return each year, eager to learn more and committed to the importance of sharing the values of the program with the children.  The volunteers also play an important role in evaluating both the equipment and the impact of the program.  Our commitment to the importance of their input has inspired many valuable changes in the program and has led to its success.  Each school recruits its own volunteers.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”  Margaret Mead

Count me in! Topics

Kindergarten Overview:
An overview of hearing, speech, vision and mobility impairments is presented to
form a background for future programs.

First Grade – Vision Impairment
Blindness and visual impairment are compared and discussed.  Activities involve
using blindfolds and our other senses.

Second Grade - Hearing Impairment
Activities and discussion center on how we hear and speak, as well as the impact
of these impairments on daily activity.

Third Grade – Cognitive Impairment
The focus is on ability and inclusion. Activities and discussion center on frustrations of delayed learning, fine motor restrictions and problem solving with
realistic scenarios.

Fourth Grade – Motor Impairment
Challenging and stimulating activities for large and small motor impairments, as
well as an accessibility survey are provided. Discussions include physical and
attitudinal barriers.

Fifth Grade – Learning Differences
The activities are designed to create frustration which leads to understanding about several learning differences.  Discussions involve problem solving and friendship.

Getting Started
A comprehensive manual, which includes masters of the curriculum guides for each grade, organizational information, training materials and equipment ordering details, is available for purchase from The Arc of Midland.  See Price List  below. Leadership training is available at The Arc of Midland or at your facility.

Contact Us
Michelle Vouaux, Count me in! Coordinator
vouaux@thearcofmidland.org
989-631- 4439 ext. 5

We would like to acknowledge the Everybody Counts!© program, created by Nancy Kayes,  which provided inspiration for the design of this program.

Count me in! Price Information

Program Manual:                                                                          $500.0
Includes a slideshow of the program in action and our unique song; training
DVD’s for classroom volunteers, grades K-5; a CD with all printable
materials (curriculum guides,  handout and program masters, equipment ordering information, area coordinator guide, school coordinator guide)

Training
Two Day Leadership Training in Midland, Michigan:                  $150.00/person
This training is designed to prepare you to coordinate Count me in!

Two Day Leadership Training at your facility:                    $1500.00 plus travel expenses

Equipment                                              
The activities in each grade require equipment.  Ordering information is provided in the program manual, along with directions for making some items. Many items can be donated which will reduce the cost significantly. 

The Arc of Midland can assist you with suggestions for grants, organizations for donations, or other fundraising ideas.

Click here to order materials

 Approximate Cost of Equipment for grades K-5                $2000.00. We don't have these available but can help in finding them for you.