Professional Development; 30-minutes
episode #401 in the Reading Rockets series.
Launching Readers

For generations, many people have assumed that children with disabilities will never learn to read -- so they never give them a chance. Hosted by Molly Ringwald, "A Chance to Read" looks at the challenges facing kids with disabilities and what schools across the country are doing to help them find success. In New Mexico, Minnesota, Georgia and Texas viewers will meet the amazing kids, parents, researchers and teachers who are working to give every child a chance to read.

Jason Franklin's infectious smile and engaging personality belie the struggles that he faces in school. Jason, a nine-year-old at Versia Williams Elementary in Fort Worth, Texas, has a genetic condition called Williams syndrome, which makes learning to read a serious challenge. Children like Jason, who have cognitive disabilities such as Williams or Down syndrome or autism, were once relegated to "Life Skills" classes. But new research is showing promise for children with many different types of disabilities.

"I think that the reason that people who work with these groups of children have not really focused on literacy and reading is a belief that it was too cognitively challenging . and that, perhaps, these children just could not be readers," says Dr. Patricia Mathes of Southern Methodist University.

"I call that 'assumicide,' because they make an assumption that [the children are] not capable, and then they never try."

"The new findings offer real hope to families of children with disabilities," says ReadingRockets.org executive director Noel Gunther. "Increasing the reading skills of any child can help him become more independent, which is a win for everyone. We hope this show opens eyes and minds to what children with disabilities can accomplish."

"A Chance to Read" highlights several schools that are finding success, including:

. Gideon Pond Elementary, in Burnsville, Minnesota, where teachers are using a revolutionary program that combines cued English and American Sign Language to raise the reading scores of students who are deaf and hard of hearing.

. Woodrow Wilson Elementary, in Denton, Texas, where eight-year-old Ethan Ligon, who is blind, has learned to read fluently using Braille, a feat that only 10 percent of children who are blind accomplish.

Bellehaven Elementary, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Dennis Higgins teaches "twice-exceptional" students, kids who are both intellectually gifted and have learning disabilities. Combining remediation with projects that require high-level thinking, Dr. Higgins helps students learn without focusing exclusively on their disabilities.

"A Chance to Read" also includes the story of an adult with severe dyslexia, Dr. Christopher Lee, an administrator at the University System of Georgia. Using emerging technologies, he has been able to complete his Ph.D. and write two books about his experiences as a student with dyslexia. Now his mission is to share that technology with other college students who have disabilities.

In addition to Dr. Lee and Dr. Mathes, "A Chance to Read" also features experts:

. Dr. Mary Ruth Coleman, president of the Council for Exceptional Children and a professor of education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She describes the importance of helping children with disabilities find their academic strengths.

. Dr. Daniel Koo, a neuroscientist with Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He cites statistics showing that the average student who is deaf graduates from high school with a third- to fourth-grade reading level.

"Growing up in a household with a parent who's blind gives Molly Ringwald a unique perspective on the importance of literacy for people with disabilities," said Christian Lindstrom, senior producer. "In a family that loved reading, she saw firsthand the value of Braille and the independence it allows those who need it."