Supporting a Global Community of Teachers

Last year, when Disability Support International (DSI) began expanding our reach, the response was overwhelmingly positive. There is an eager need for the kind of training DSI provides. While we hope to someday travel to each organization that requests training, this isn’t possible now. Even as we continue to work toward that goal, we are designing alternate methods of training and bringing together practitioners to share knowledge and experiences.

DSI has now conducted three multi-session courses of online training workshops. Each session is designed to reinforce previous training or provide a strong introduction if the concept is new. The material is presented by DSI staff, skilled volunteers, and international partners. After the lesson is delivered, attendees join small break-out groups to discuss what they’ve learned and how they can apply the information within their own classrooms. It’s a unique opportunity for teachers and leaders around the world to share their knowledge and find community across countries and continents.

The third course concluded in September. We welcomed 54 participants (the largest group yet!) from Cambodia, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, and Jamaica.

The sessions focused on:

• Session 1: Identifying Disabilities - Jennie, DSI Co-founder and Executive Director

• Session 2: Effective Consequences - Mick, DSI Co-founder and skilled volunteer

• Session 3: ABC Process & Disability Directories - Chinda, Cambodia Master Trainer

• Session 4: Communication Development - Lisa G, retired speech therapist and DSI skilled volunteer, and Rabbit School Organization leaders, Cambodia

• Session 5: Motor Development - Lisa Y, Cambodia-based physical therapist with Children in Families (DSI trained their staff last year in an expansion training project)

• Session 6: Person-Centered Planning & Strengths-Based Approach - Julie S, university professor and founder of Advancing Education

• Bonus Session: Rights and Legal Frameworks for Inclusive Education - John Bosco (JB) Lukwago, leader of the Masaka Disabled Persons Association in Uganda

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Feedback from participants has been enthusiastic - we even added an extra session to make space for more sharing from teachers.

Participants told us:

• The course "has opened way to my deeper understanding of issues connected with children with special abilities and encouraged me in knowing that I can also conduct a training (with training resources provided) to equip more groups to also benefit from this wonderful information..."

• "It has made know more about learners with special needs and how to handle every case that I encounter"

• "Now I am trying to translate all the sessions in my own language which will make easy for [further sharing with staff and community members]"

  "When communities see my organization supporting persons with disability with respect, their mindset changes."

Fully, 100% of participants said they are interested in joining another course. DSI is planning another series in early 2027.

These sessions are provided to our partner organizations at no charge. If you would like to support the administrative costs, please visit our website and make a donation today. You can also learn more about our partner organizations in Cambodia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda on our Sponsor a Training page.