Understanding our Difference (UoD) is an innovative citywide program about disability awareness for Grades 3 through 5.  Through a series of six units over three years, students gain a better understanding of the universality of human differences. Each unit includes “hands-on” activities, videotapes, group discussions, simulation activities, and discussions with a guest speaker. The units are: Third Grade: Blindness & Visual Impairment, and Deafness & Hard of Hearing; Fourth Grade: Chronic Medical Conditions, and Learning Differences;; and Fifth Grade: Physical Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorders

If you are interested in volunteering to work the the classes during theirs sessions, please contact Rachel Segall  for Grade 4, Michele Rosenthal for Grade 5, and Elizabeth Blumberg for Grade 3.

Please check the Mason-Rice online Calendar for Dates of each session.  Sessions typically held from 1-3pm.

• 3rd grade - Feb 9: Blindness & Visual Impairment; April 5: Deafness & Hard of Hearing

• 4th grade - April 12: Chronic Medical Conditions; June 7: Learning Differences

• 5th grade - Oct 27: Physical Disabilities; Jan 5: Intellectual Disabilitie; March 1: Autism Spectrum Disorders

The program helps grade students understand what it is like to have a disability and how to be a good friend to someone who has one. By helping the children understand certain handicaps and providing them with the opportunity for a frank discussion with people who have these disabilities, this program hopes to help children overcome their fears and to respect the humanity of each individual regardless of differences, and aims to also help children recognize the similarities among all people.  For more information, visit www.understandingourdifferences.org