Consciousness Helps Encourage Equal Respect

Kurt and Brenda Warner hosted two assemblies at Central as the finale to a week-long campus program that encourages inclusion and disability awareness. C.H.E.E.R., a program of Warner’s First Things First Foundation stands for Consciousness Helps Encourage Equal Respect. Central’s Student Government adopted C.H.E.E.R. in collaboration with the school’s special education department to organize a week of activities. Student volunteers, called C.H.E.E.R.Leaders were assigned disabilities March 16-20. 125 students participated in a Disability for a Day, where they had to deal with school blindfolded, hearing impaired, wheel chair-bound or using charades and non-verbal communication. Teachers received daily information on special education laws and definitions, disability descriptions and tips for teaching students with disabilities. The students shared their “disabled” experiences” to the audience at the two assemblies.

The Warners, who have a teenage son with disabilities, addressed the students on the definition of a champion, and encouraged students to embrace inclusion and acceptance and continue efforts to better understand disabilities.

In keeping with the sports theme, the Central Special Olympics athletes and cheerleaders came on stage to meet the Warners and received a warm reception from the Central student body.

Beth Viquesney, the special education coordinator at Central who coordinated the event said the students were standing in line each day to volunteer as “disabled” students. She hopes the week inspires like it inspired her as a student.

“When I was in grade school they added a group of students with a variety of disabilities to our elementary school campus, an idea that was unheard of back then, and more a factor of cost savings than an idea of inclusion. I was one of the students who volunteered to work with the students daily at lunch and weekly in gym class. Those early experiences lead to my current role. I didn't realize the lessons I was learning from those early experiences would have such a profound affect on my future. I hope this experience will provide even just one of our Central High School students the thought of continuing to work with these wonderful young people. “

Source: Phoenix Union High School District