Classroom resources

This selection of curriculum-aligned lesson ideas and activity sheets are designed to start important conversations about disability and help students understand the need for accessibility and inclusion.

Broad learning outcomes

  • Students will recognise that people with disability are important members of our diverse community.
  • Students will recognise the need for accessibility and inclusion.
  • Students will recognise common myths and misconceptions about disability.
  • Students will understand the importance of removing barriers for people with disability and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to participate.

Activities for students

English

English activity sheets

English activity sheet solutions

History

  • Research the history of the disability rights movement and how disability has been portrayed. How has this changed over the last century? Who are some people that have raised awareness and made progress in these areas?
  • Research the lives of people with disability over the last century and how they might have changed. Discuss inventions or technologies that have been developed to improve accessibility for people with disability.
  • Explore the lives of some historical figures with disability by completing the Match me (PDF 231.2 kB) activity sheet. Discuss how disability might have affected the occupation of each person.

History activity sheets

History activity sheet solutions

Maths

  • Find some statistics about people with disability and present the information in graph format. You will find some interesting statistics on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
  • Create a scale map of your school and label all the areas which do or do not cater for people with disability. Design a new map of your school with suggested improvements.

Science/Technology

  • Research the barriers people with disability may encounter. For example, find out about gradients and materials that block sound and light.
  • Discuss the five senses. For what purposes do we use each one? How do you think we would adapt if we were relying on one or two senses? Complete the Listen and sniff (PDF 366.2 kB) activity sheet.
  • Use your five senses to complete the Senses scavenger hunt (PDF 217 kB) activity sheet.

Science/Technology activity sheets

Science/Technology activity sheet solutions

The Arts

  • Create large posters inviting people to observe International Day of People with Disability. Place them around the school for parents and visitors to see.
  • Research famous artists with disability and try using their methods or painting in their styles.
  • Brainstorm and research ways in which people who are deaf enjoy music. Consider vibrations and movement.

Health and Physical Education

  • Work in small groups to modify your favourite sport or activity so it is accessible for people with disability. For example, modify dodge ball so everyone is sitting down instead of standing.
  • Research one sport from the Paralympic Games. Share your learnings with the rest of the class.
  • Discuss the question ‘What does it mean to have disability?’. Record the responses and discuss any stereotypes or generalisations that come up. This should be an open and honest discussion without judgement.

Additional Resources

  • Our resources page has a range of printable products and activities for kids, including a colour in poster, chatterbox activity and decorative paperchain.
  • You can also check out online resources, such as TED Talks or YouTube, to find some great videos, short films, articles and podcasts about disability and the experiences of people with disability. Use these resources to start a conversation about disability in the classroom to challenge perceptions, normalise disability and grow inclusion.

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