Adaptive
Art Materials
Successful adaptations, like everything else, begin with proper
attitudes and beliefs.
You must believe that the art experience is for all and is meaningful
for all. You must believe that there is empowerment and confidence
lay in self-expression, and that all students deserve to feel these
emotions. If you believe these things, then you will design art
experiences that accommodate every child’s abilities.
Artist Dan Keplinger recalls that the adaptations that his art
teacher made enabled him to finally express all that he had been
thinking and feeling for so many years. Your adaptations not only
show students that you care enough about their experience to make
it accessible to their needs, they also open the door to empowerment
and enhancement of life quality for students.
Adaptation, at its core, is a creative activity.
You must figure out how to make the art experience accessible to
a variety of needs with an array of materials and tools. You are
engaged in creative problem solving. Many artists in residence who
work with children with disabilities have cited this creative process
of making adaptations as a very gratifying part of their work.
Adaptations necessitate that you be resourceful.
You begin to look at everyday objects in a new light—shelf
liner, Styrofoam balls, swim noodles…how can these materials
help me in making adaptations? Creativity also comes into play here
as you look at the adaptive materials sold for $50 or $100 in special
education catalogs and you make them yourself with other materials.
Further, you learn to collaborate with physical therapists, special
educators, and others as you endeavor to teach children with disabilities.
If you are not getting the help that you need, find it!
Resources not available through the World Wide Web:
The Arts for All program introduces art tools designed to allow
everyone to "be empowered through the arts". The medium
consists of an art roller (attaches to a wheel chair or a handle
to be used tabletop or on the ground), pogo paint sticks, a chalk-walk
n' roll device and others. Sites are able to rent the set of tools.
The uses include both group events and in classrooms. The resulting
art product is typically a large mural size painting created on
paper secured to a large area of floor space.
For pricing and ordering information, contact:
ZotArtz: Arts for All Program
10 South 5th St.
PO BOX 767
Bayfield, WI 54814
(877) 851-2103
(877) 851-3129 fax
email: szotarts@centurytel.net
Web Resources:
Name of Site: Dick Blick—Special Needs Section
Recommended Sections: Dick Blick sells adapted
drawing and painting materials, as well as furniture that can be
used in the art room.
URL: http://www.dickblick.com/categories/specialneeds/
Name of Site: Art Making for ALL Children Gallery
Purpose of Site: This site is a companion to the
book, Art-making Opportunities for Children with Disabilities: Art-making
and Assistive Devices. It describes how to make an art program accessible
by adapting art materials. Pictures and blueprints for adapting
equipment are included.
Recommended Sections: “Adaptive Devices”
and “Adaptive Equipment” shows pictures of these tools
in action as well as providing blueprints for constructing many
of them. “Art Making Experiences” and “Art Program—Inclusion”
gives a sample of activities that engage a full range of abilities.
URL: http://www.uic.edu/depts/idhd/gallery/index.html
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