A TOUCH OF UNDERSTANDING INC
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I first saw this organization in action in 1998 at a school in a district where I served as the Assistant Superintendent. The impact on students was immediate and longterm as I watched students befriend students with disabilities and back away from fear and bullying. After watching the program in action for ten years, including four when I served as Superintendent, I have watched the program grow and expand. When I retired, many groups asked me to join their boards, but this was the group that hit me in the heart, so it was the only one I joined. Now I'm working to get the program into as many schools as possible as ATOU reaches beyond the 50,000 students we will have reached as of this year.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Changing the lives of young people who were either fearful of or ready to pick on others with disabilities, and the impact on those with disabilities.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Replicate it across the state, and the country.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Likely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
How did you learn about this organization?
It came to a school in my district.
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
Continuing to impact as many children and adults as possible.
What is its top priority in the long run?
Making it so disabilities don't matter any more than hair color as people are interacting with each other.
ATOU is a very amazing and touching program. As a volunteer, I get to see what they do, and the effect it has on the people they touch. I hope this program continues to reach as many schools as possible. Thank you for all you do ATOU!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have personally seen the many results of this program. Between volunteering with them, and just seeing the expressions of the kids, and what they see to each other between and during the program. Not to mention the notes and emails they receive regarding their amazing program!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Reach more schools, as many as possible. As well as visiting more schools focused on kids with special needs. Please visit www.tridynamic.com Thank you.
ATOU is an amazing program that has touched many students in our school district. Through their creative stations, videos and presenters, students have been able to get a feel and understanding of what it is like to be someone with a disability. Through the program, students have also learned the correct way to approach and treat others with a disability. ATOU is a program like no other, and I hope that it continues to be successful and grow throughout our region and beyond.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being in a classroom and working with the students that have been through this program. I have a disability and the students that have been through the ATOU program are much more understanding than those that have not been.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not. It is well run and serves a fabulous purpose!
I am an educator who works with kids ages Kindergarten to High School. I am so impressed with the approach ATOU has to help breakdown the barriers/walls between students with/without Special Needs. The Speakers are precious, the activities are powerful (hands-on!), and the love/compassion they do it all with is priceless! Keep up the great stuff ATOU!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The level of understanding/acceptance in the students who have participated in the ATOU program goes through the roof after these presentations!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Keep spreading the word for more and more school sites to be able to have them come and keep developing extended curriculum units for ongoing enrichment/impact in this area as a complement/summary to what goes on! :)
Such a wonderful and inviting environment it was a pleasure to work with everyone at ATOU. The work they do is priceless and a real service to the children of our community!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The children in the schools seem very inspired to have the compassion toward individuals with disabilities after participating in the program.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would not make any except that they need to be in every school in the United States, Sacramento and the surrounding areas are lucky to have a wonderful organization like ATOU
I came to ATOU after they did a presentation at my university. After watching the video and hearing what they were all about I decided to offer my services. I've been a volunteer/friend of ATOU for about 2 years now and I have never had a complaint about their excellent services or the awesome people who work there. I've been fortunate enough to work along side them as we organized a community carnival for the children in the Granite Bay area and and work for them serving the community in many other events. The message that ATOU puts out is one of acceptance and achievement and I firmly believe that they are making a tremendous difference for people who have disabilities, as well as the public in general. Two thumbs WAY up!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my school, my family, and my friends.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand their funding.
I was one of the first students to have participated in ATOU's presentations many years ago! I was a 2nd grader at the time and remember being so intrigued and interested by the presentation I watched. They opened my eyes to things I had never thought about before. Now, many years later, I have come to appreciate ATOU even more. In fact, I have become a special education teacher and wholeheartedly support their mission to spread awareness and empathy about individuals with disabilities. I am so impressed with the work ATOU does. I have volunteered for ATOU and have watched their team present to local elementary schools. They reach students in ways that are deeply meaningful. During the entire presentation, students are engaged, enthusiastic, and curious. Students absolutely love their presentations! I believe many students leave these presentations possessing a deeper understanding and compassion for people with disabilities. What makes ATOU so special is the team that runs it. Every staff member you meet is positive, kind, and generous. Their warmth is infectious and rubs off on every person they teach. I think ATOU’s mission is so important in today’s schools. With a rise in bullying and student depression, I believe it is essential to educate our students about individual differences, promote acceptance of all, and spread compassion for all people. I think ATOU does such a wonderful job doing just this. I hope all schools have the opportunity to share ATOU with their students!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I participated as a student myself in ATOU's presenations many years ago. I have also volunteered with ATOU and have seen the impact they make on the students they teach. It is truly amazing!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I hope ATOU can expand and reach schools outside of the loacal area! All schools can benefit from ATOU's mission.
ATOU has such an amazing program I don't even know where to begin. The first time that I went through their presentation I was blown away. The impact of the speakers and the the hands on experience is truly amazing. The kids were very receptive and I think that what ATOU offers is a chance for them to understand not only what it would be like to live with a disability, but what it's like for people to treat you differently because of a disability. I have watched the amazement on the kids faces as they begin to understand and feel what it's like. It teaches empathy and patience, as well as that it's better to ask if you are curious rather than just stare and make fun. This program is by far, one of the most valuable programs I have ever experienced or seen as at some point in all of our lives we will come across a person with a disability or illness of some kind.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
a school atmosphere and the value and education that it provides to children both with and without disabilities is unsurpassed.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
everyone is so friendly and patient.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
individuals both with disabilities and without.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
educate the way that it needs to. I've seen the effects of this program & it's ability to change lives for those w/o disabilities as they begin to understand what it's like to live with a disability and for those w/ disabilities as they share their story
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Last spring we found out that one of our young students was going to need a prosthetic in the near future. Touch of Understanding came almost immediately to educate the students at that grade level and raise their awareness and understanding of students/people with disabilities. They brought young students as part of their team, which helped make it more "real" to our kids. I am sure that it will help ALL our students now and in the future. TOU has also been a valuable resource to the parents as they navigate through these new experiences. I have and will continue to recommend this program!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing my students be more aware and accepting of students with disabilities.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the staff and volunteers are dedicated to their work, and will tailor their presentation to meet the needs of their audience.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
knowledgeable and friendly.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reduce the costs, which would make it more accessible to schools in these tight budget times.
Ways to make it better...
the "panel discussion" was shorter, since the audience was so young. The students would have like to handle the prosthetics rather than just have them demonstrated.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
We started out with this program for 4th & 5th graders last year and it was so successful that grades 6-8 also had them present this program. The response from the students and parents was extremely postive. What a wonderful way to begin our school year.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Our children had a much better understanding of people with disabilities and literally how to walk in their shoes because of the hands on experience.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
How organized they were and the hands on experience the children had.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Extremely committed.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
They could go to every school.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
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