Third graders from Jones Elementary sign the respectability disability awareness banner and write something they are each good at. (Courtesy photo via Escanaba Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — The Delta County Regional Inclusive Community Coalition (RICC) visited Jones Elementary School to teach the youth about respectability disability awareness. The two-day event included all five third-grade classes at Jones, totaling roughly 125 students.

“Respectability is our way of talking about people who traditionally have been called disabled, but we don’t focus anymore on the ‘dis.’ We want to focus more on the ability,” said RICC member and Pathways Life Skills Technician Paula Judson.

The purpose of the event was to show the youth what it’s like to live with different challenges. RICC brought wheelchairs, crutches, slings and other items so the kids could get first-hand experience using different apparatuses.

“We wanted to show them what it was like to have these extra challenges, but we really wanted to highlight, instead of the disability, we want to talk about the ability,” Judson explained.

The group brought multiple individuals of varying abilities and challenges to interact with the kids.

“They told the kids what they’re really good at. Like, whether they’re artistic or they’re in Special Olympics or karate or just (being) a good friend and listener. They all got up there and shared their strengths, and then we also had the children share their strengths as well,” Judson said.

According to one of the third-grade teachers, Michelle Freel, her class wanted another day to hang out and interact with the RICC.

“The kids loved it,” Freel said.

The following day after the event, her class still talked about how much fun they had.

“They wanted to do it again. So, I think it was a fun way for them to get to experience something different,” she said.

Judson and Freel agreed they would like to put on the event each year at the school.

“We’re willing to go into other schools like if any other schools wanted to do it, you know, we’re hoping that it catches on. I know Mrs. Freel said she wants to make it a yearly thing for the third-graders,” Judson said.

Freel recognized the importance of working with organizations like RICC and Pathways, saying it’s always great to connect with them in a productive way, such as a respectability disability awareness event.

To learn more about RICC, visit deltacountyricc.weebly.com. Questions, comments, or concerns can be sent to deltacountyricc@gmail.com