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Empowering Abilities

This series shines a light on the abilities of students with physical and mental disabilities and approaches to teaching them.

New adaptive classes help bridge differences

Sparta Riley Kelley

Students thrive, lead and learn in new, inclusive courses at Sparta Middle School.

All hands on deck for this holiday celebration

Kent ISD Brett Atwood

Lincoln Developmental Center transforms into a winter wonderland when students and staff members deck the halls.

Students spruce up greenhouse, make home for houseplants

Lowell Erin Albanese

Lowell High School students are cultivating a space where staff members’ plants can thrive.

‘It’s really all about providing equity’

Grandville Ezra Craker

General education students and students with cognitive impairments get to learn alongside each other...

Newly configured preschool focuses on being inclusive

Empowering Abilities Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

This year, all of Godwin’s 4-year-old preschool students are now housed at the Early Education Center...

Hot off the 3D printer: communication equity

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

When staff looked to build a better keyguard, they didn’t have to go far to find a solution...

Friendships form through positive links

Byron Center Alexis Stark

Byron Center’s LINKS, recognized by Special Olympics, pairs up students for fun and friendship...

Kind, inclusive, encouraging

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Central Elementary students practice acceptance and kindness, and share the lessons around school...

Annual LINKS lunch serves pre-holiday staff meal

Byron Center Alexis Stark

LINKS students at Byron Center High sent their teachers off with full stomachs right before Thanksgiving break...

Students build skills via community coffee cart

Lowell Meghan Gracy

Students from Lowell High School’s transition skills class practice vocational skills when they serve coffee, hot chocolate, snacks and more at Brody’s Be Mobile Café...

Equine therapy builds crucial skills for cognitively impaired students

Thornapple Kellogg Allison Poosawtsee

Students with cognitive impairments in Thornapple-Kellog schools develop skills on horseback...

Friends spell it out with personalized books

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

LINKS relationships often span years and extend well beyond the school day...

First-year program links peers

Byron Center Alexis Stark

Nickels Intermediate gen ed, special ed students pair up to learn from one another...

Washing service offers loads of help

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

These Eastern High students are preparing for life and, for some, gainful employment...

Special needs preschooler thrives in inclusive program

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

Alivia Brewer is a non-verbal, special needs preschooler, who has become an integral part and a calming presence in her preschool class...

Apprentices explore their creative potential

Empowering Abilities Morgan Jarema

This one-year program is one of a handful of visual and performing arts programs with Artists Creating Together for young adult students with special needs...

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