Ethan The Brave

This book was created to help promote and foster school environments which are welcoming, positive and inclusive for students who experience disabilities. It shares the story of an 8 year old boy named Ethan, a fictitious character who is based on many people who experience disabilities. Throughout the story, Ethan shares his interests, capabilities and strengths as well as some of his challenges. Ethan then discusses ways that he believes his fellow classmates and teachers can better include him at school.

The inspiration for this story came from my efforts to try to help students and teachers at my son's elementary school understand his disability. Starting in Kindergarten, and at the beginning of each school year, I go into my son's school and do a short presentation for his class. I show family photos and talk with the students about my son's interests, capabilities and strengths. I also talk about some of the challenges he faces due to his disability. It has been so positive and helpful for him, his fellow classmates and his teachers that I wanted to try to do this for all students with disabilities. In 2013, I joined forces with the Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival and with the help of many people, we have turned this story into a film. We have also developed a classroom program which helps students with disabilities be better understood, supported and welcomed in their classrooms. The story's main (fictitious) character Ethan is based on many people who experience disability. I intentionally left out Ethan's "diagnosis" because I wholeheartedly believe that all students who experience disabilities, regardless of their challenges, are eager to learn alongside their fellow classmates, are capable learners and want to do many of the same things that other kids in their classrooms are doing, even if they may need to do them differently. I sincerely hope that this book helps to raise awareness for the need to always have high expectations for every student, including students who experience disabilities. Cincinnati, February 2015 Sara Bitter - Attorney, Disability Rights Advocate and Co-Chair and Education Outreach Chair of the 2015 Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival