As part of Autism Awareness Week and a jump-start to scheduled Unified Basketball games, social worker Maureen Schutta visited ninth-grade social studies classes to provide a lesson on abilities awareness. 

Students were asked to assess their knowledge and comfort level within the following five stations: accessibility for motor, vision and hearing conditions; autism spectrum conditions; intellectual disabilities; mental health; and learning differences and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Students learned about the historical significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and participated in both classroom and building-level scavenger hunts to find everyday accommodations that many of us take for granted. Kudos to freshmen Brian Boyce and Rachel Johnson for noticing the wheelchair-accessible water fountain on the second floor. Students interested in learning more about abilities awareness and opportunities for volunteerism can contact Ms. Schutta at mschutta@eastrockawayschools.org