CVS and All Kids Can
by Beth
About this time a year ago, I was preparing to visit a summer school class of future educators. Most of the students I talked to at Elmhurst College last year graduated in May. They’ll be teaching in another month, and it’s likely they’ll have children with disabilities in their classes.
While I was preparing my talk last year, I wrote a post about my concerns for those future teachers and published it here on the Easter Seals autism blog.
The students I talked to on Thursday are studying to be general education teachers. As part of their curriculum they are required to take one — just one — course in special education.
Considering that more than 95 percent of students with autism and other disabilities receive some or all of their education in regular classrooms, can one special education course for future teachers be enough?
I know those college students I spoke to last year benefitted from hearing how inclusion played a major role in the life of my son, who has severe disabilities. But I’m only one woman. I can’t do it alone. That’s why I’m grateful to All Kids Can.
Created by the CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust, All Kids Can is a five-year, $25 million commitment to making life easier for children with disabilities. Through this signature program, CVS and the Trust help nonprofit organizations like Easter Seals raise awareness in schools and in local communities about the importance of inclusion. In 2007, $350,000 in All Kids Can Fund grants went to support Easter Seals affiliates across the country. Last May, CVS Caremark Charitable Trust awarded another $350,000 in grants
to Easter Seals’ autism programs. This means the CVS Trust has now donated a total of $1 million to support Easter Seals autism
services nationwide.
Those students I talked to last year? They’ll do well in their new careers, thanks in part to programs like All Kids Can. This CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust Program not only helps teachers do their work, it also serves to remind all of us that … All Kids Can!