An event highlighting the artistic talents of students with special needs took place Thursday evening, Dec. 5, at the DCIU Education Center in Morton.
The third annual ArT Showcase, hosted by the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, had more than 500 pieces of artwork on display from students across Delaware County. The work included paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photography.
“Kudos to our student artists! Your creativity inspires us all and reminds us that art has the power to brighten the world,” said Delaware County Intermediate Unit Executive Director Dr. Maria Edelberg.
Hundreds of teachers, parents, students, and community members turned out to experience the art.
The talented student artists, along with their parents and teachers from school districts across Delaware County, proudly showed off their artwork.
Students with developmental challenges often learn differently and experience life in a different way than their typically learning peers.
The ArT Showcase (the A and T represent Assistive Technology-AT) was designed by DCIU staff members to help students who use assistive technology for learning, communicating, and for daily activities.
“Assistive technology empowers special needs students to express themselves through art, breaking barriers and unlocking their unique creativity,” said Dr. Edelberg. “DCIU’s ArT Showcase gives these students a creative outlet to express their thoughts, feelings, and creativity in ways that celebrate their individuality and potential.”
Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.
AT can be low-tech, such as communication boards made of cardboard; high-tech, such as special computers; hardware, such as prosthetics or positioning devices; and computer hardware, such as special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
AT can also be specialized learning materials, software, electronic devices, eye-gaze and head trackers, pencil holders, and more.
Paintings created with a paint brush attached to a wheelchair while the artist moves around the canvas is an example of assistive technology.
DCIU’s team provides consultation services to schools and students regarding the use of these technologies.
The Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) is a regional educational services provider. Its mission is to provide leadership for the development of innovative and cost-effective programs and services to meet the educational needs of the community.
DCIU serves more than 69,000 school-aged students and more than 6,000 educators on a regional basis.
Direct instruction is provided to more than 15,000 students enrolled in DCIU’s Special Programs, Career and Technical Education, and specialized programs.
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