Arts at Bost hosted a one-day professional development in Russellville, AR for art educators and artists from around the state on July 24th, 2024. This professional development session empowered educators to create inclusive environments where every student’s unique creative potential can flourish. They learned to implement adaptive techniques, leverage assistive technologies, and design personalized learning experiences that inspire and engage all learners. We encouraged them to transform their classroom into a dynamic space where creativity knows no bounds and every student can shine. Participants learned about common disabilities, engaged with real-life scenarios, learned about behaviors and relationship building, participated in an accessibility scavenger hunt, learned about enhancing room accessibility and materials, and adaptive to incorporate into their classrooms. There was an emphasis on real-life examples from the Artful Abilities program to show how various adaptive methods can make a difference. For instance, participants used sunglasses with pinhole vision to simulate vision issues or navigated wheelchairs through obstacle courses. These simulations helped participants understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when engaged in creative tasks.
Special thanks to:
Support for Artful Abilities was provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts.