Use the Abilities In Motion Elementary toolkit and supplementary resources to increase awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusion while changing attitudes about the potential of people with disabilities.
Abilities in Motion
Abilities in Motion is a toolkit of resources that will increase awareness and change attitudes about the potential of people with disabilities, while underlining the importance of access and inclusion. The toolkit includes hands-on lessons and activities for Kindergarten to grade 8 classes. Download the full toolkit here, or scroll down to view and download individual lessons and supplementary resources.
Learn how elementary educators can use this FREE bilingual resource. Curriculum-specific lessons and activities challenge and inspire students to see the potential of people with disabilities, understand current barriers, and make their school and community more inclusive and accessible.
Supplemental Resources
K Lesson: Accessible Classroom
Students read a book about a child with a disability or discuss pictures of people with disabilities. They consider how accessible their classroom would be for a student with a disability.
K Lesson: We Are Like Snowflakes
Students complete a T-chart on similarities and differences of snowflakes to learn that each snowflake is unique, just like people. Students compare similarities between children, including those with disabilities.
Gr1 Lesson: Everyone Has Abilities
Students identify their own abilities and challenges, read a story about Rick Hansen and discuss how much we can tell (and can’t tell!) about a person just by looking at them.
Gr2 Lesson: School Inspectors
Students learn about different types of physical disabilities and the barriers that can make getting around difficult for people with a disability. Students analyze different areas of the school to consider how accessible they are.
Gr2 Lesson: A Day in Your Shoes
Students will draw and decorate their own shoes from cardstock or paper, and write a short snippet about themselves. Students learn that we may never fully understand how another person is feeling because we all have differences from one another, but we should always try to understand.
Gr3 Lesson: Let's Play: Accessible Playgrounds
Students explore ways to make school playgrounds accessible for everyone, including children with disabilities.
Gr3 Lesson: Assumptions
Students examine their first impressions of different roles people hold in society (for example, Artist, Athlete, Musician). These mindsets are challenged by introducing students to famous people with disabilities who hold these roles.
Lesson: Echolocation
In pairs, students take turns to locate their partners. The task is then repeated a second time with multiple pairs locating their partners at the same time. This activity illustrates the impact of background noise on echolocation.
Gr4 Lesson: What's Your T10, 11 and 12
Students learn about spinal cord injuries and their effects, and the ability of persons with disabilities to lead healthy, active and social lives.
Gr5 Lesson: On the Move
Students explore how slope and surface affect momentum and distance travelled by moving objects such as toy cars and wheelchairs.
Gr6 Lesson: Accessible or Not?
Students analyze case studies to explore how physical spaces can be made more accessible.
Gr7 Lesson: First Impressions and Stereotypes
Students discuss first impressions and the importance of seeing beyond myths and stereotypes about people with disabilities.
Gr8 Lesson: Assumptions
Students explore the potential of people with disabilities and the importance of focusing on what people can do, not what they can’t do.
Gr8 Lesson: A Day in the Life
After students view the video Changing the Conversation About Disability, students journal their day-to-day activities over the course of a week. They consider which activities would be challenging for a person with a disability. Students create a "Day in the Life of" project about a person with a disability.
Activities (K-8)
Activities, which can be used on their own or combined into a circuit as part of a larger event. Most of the activities will require a space larger than your classroom e.g. a gym or outdoor space. Activities provide your students with fun, experiential activities to give them an idea of how people with vision, hearing or physical disabilities overcome challenges and how all of us can help. Any of the activities can be combined with any of the lessons.
Assessment Tools (K-8)
To be used for in-class activities, homework assignments, and student projects.
Appendices (K-8)
AIM K-8 Toolkit Appendices/Information in this section is referred to throughout the AIM toolkit.
Audiobook: Roll On
The remarkable story of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion World Tour—and all the big dreams it inspired.
E-Audio Book: The Boy who Loved to Move
Inspire your students with the story of Rick Hansen, the boy who loved to move in this accessible e-audio book. Hard copies available.
E-Book: The Boy who Loved to Move
Inspire your students with the story of Rick Hansen, the boy who loved to move. Hard copies available.
E-book: Boy in Motion
Encourage students to believe in themselves, through the inspiring story of Rick Hansen's early years.
E-book: Roll On
The remarkable story of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion World Tour—and all the big dreams it inspired.
E-book: Canadian Hero
How long would it take to go all the way around the world in a wheelchair? It took Rick Hansen more than two years. Why did he do it? Find out in Rick Hansen: Canadian Hero.
