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A Statement of Just Cause

by Toby Tomlinson Baker

August 30, 2020

My Why: To create equal access and empower students with disabilities. 

I believe: 

1. Students with disabilities must recognize the need to self-advocate and engage in self advocating every opportunity they can. 

2. Students with disabilities must educate themselves as a means of increasing their power in spite of negativity, discouragement and obstacles that they encounter. 

3. Students with disabilities (SWDs) must persevere and overcome fear of other people and physical obstacles that obstruct their achievement of their goals. 

4. Students with disabilities must exhibit bravery when faced with negativity and obstacles. 

5. Students with disabilities must persevere even when tasks are difficult.

6. Students with disabilities must maintain a positive attitude and outlook. 

7. Students with disabilities must set goals, PLAN carefully to achieve them, remain on course to finish the first step to the final step.

8. Students with disabilities must develop a growth mindset by continuing education and training at every opportunity. They must embrace the notion of not knowing something and cultivate problem-solving skills.

9. Students with disabilities must focus and utilize their skills and abilities. 

10. Students with disabilities must engage in Metacognition (thinking about their thinking) and continue self-development, continuing ongoing education and lifelong learning, sharpening the saw (Covey).

11. Students with disabilities must aim to develop leadership skills in others by leading by example.

It is with these the employment of these 10 principles, developed by a Ph.D. candidate with disabilities that SWDs will increase their education, create equal access for education, and empower students with disabilities. 

Organizations for Adults with LD and no “Equal Access” to accommodations?

It is pretty interesting how organizations for learning disabilities require membership.  Usually there is simply a small fee. Sometimes a large fee. Some organizations even have specific requirements which must be fulfilled in order to be considered an expert or even to join and become a valid member.

However, frequently these organizations with seemingly strict requirements do not often have “Disability Accommodations” for those adults with learning disabilities themselves. Didn’t these groups consider that people with learning disabilities would want to participate and join? What about professionals with disabilities? If these groups, and there are several, expect to be viewed as advocating and speaking for those with learning disabilities, then providing equal access for this population would be expected. All programs and groups for those with learning disabilities should have a disability section or tab on their sites with approved legal accommodations. Many groups, schools and programs for those with learning disabilities should include those with learning disabilities themselves.

Here are some “Cooking with the kids” ideas! FAST-Easy!

1. POTATO-CHIP TACOS-Take a bag of potato chips and put shredded Mexican (OR VEGAN) cheese on top. Melt in the microwave and sprinkle some HOT jalapeno peppers on top!

2. TEDDY GRAHAM Smore’s-Take a box of teddy grahams, a bag of mini chocolate morsels, and a bag of mini-marshmallows. Mix everything into a large zip- lock bag and shake!

3. HOMEMADE ICE CREAM- LARGE zip-lock bag, 5-10 ice cubes, sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, Shake until solid and creamy-roughly 5 minutes.

4. Watermelon slices!

5. Smores CHOCOTACOS- Softy tacos, skillet, fry until brownish, whipped cream-spread on toasted taco, chocolate morsels slightly melted onto the taco, mini marshmallows, add sprinkles, caramel sauce, butterscotch, cinnamon

6. Veggie bagels-sliced bagels, hummus, spinach or arugula, garlic salt, cucumbers, red and yellow peppers, jalapenos optional

7. Frozen fruit-shake-blend or chop anything you want-a banana, pineapple slices, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, oranges…mic with a bunch of ice cubes!

Yummy! Enjoy!

Hi All! Please check out my new website!

I hope everyone is having a great summer!

Go outside and play!