The document discusses ability, disability, and diversability in the context of IDEA and vocational education. It notes that ability is equated with normalcy while disability focuses on differences and abnormality. Diversability recognizes each person's talents rather than lacks and celebrates differences through inclusion. The document advocates for vocational education that focuses on students' strengths through hands-on and unconventional strategies to help students succeed beyond expectations of their abilities. It provides examples of famous people with disabilities and resources to support students with special needs.

1. Ability, Disability, DiversabilityIDEA and Vocational Ed: lessons from the short bus

2. Inspiration for the topicProfessional colleague reveals ADHD diagnosisJonathan Mooney and the Short Bus (video clip)Famous people you never dreamed were “limited” or “disabled”We really are far more similar than different10/31/20102

3. AbilityCapable of doing somethingTackle a taskComplete a competency Acquire a skillEquated with “normal”10/31/20103

4. DisabilityTo disqualify legallyRender incapableEquated with abnormalFocus on differencesShort bus mentality(video clip #2 I’m special)10/31/20104

5. DiversabilityLacks formal definitionTalents rather than the lack of talent recognizedDifferences are celebratedAttitude of inclusion rather than exclusion in societyPerson no longer defined by the inability or different abilityUnique contributions of all are recognized(Mooney video clip The short bus part 1)10/31/20105

6. Vocational Education and working toward strengthsHands-onOut-of-the-box strategies such as co-opGoing beyond and looking beyond what you seeKevin Choate’s story about the white coatYou could save a life or at least someone’s self-esteem!10/31/20106

7. The many faces of “disabled”, “in-able”, “unable”You will be surprised!(Ed Rev “faces of success’ video clip)Who surprised you most? Does “disability” really fit theses people?Who will surprise you most in your classroom?......10/31/20107

8. Time for a change!IDEAFAPEIEPSelf-determination Jason Kauffman’s storyTransitionHelp, I’m not a special-ed teacher!10/31/20108

9. Resources for “the rest of us”Delar Singh’s Web resources for Special Educationhttp://www.askjan.org job resources for “disabled” persons seeking employmentCosdonline.org employers seeking “disabled” workersDol.gov special section for ADA and special employment issues, statistics, educationKatie Martucci on campus help for PSU students with special needs10/31/20109

10. Closing remarks from Jonathan MooneyThe End