Celebrating Disability Pride Month in OUSD: A Commitment to Inclusion, Access, and Belonging

July is Disability Pride Month, which commemorates the passing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. It’s a time to honor the history, achievements, and resilience of the disability community and to recognize that our students' diverse lived experiences and perspectives are essential to building a stronger, more inclusive district.

In OUSD, we know that fostering school communities that welcome, accept, and celebrate young people with disabilities must be a collective commitment. True inclusion requires strong partnerships with allies across our district committed to ensuring all students, especially our students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), are thriving. Our goal is genuine acceptance and a deep understanding that every person enriches our community with their unique value and joy.

Empowering Our Students Through Key Initiatives

OUSD is dedicated to providing robust support systems that empower every student to reach their full potential. Our key initiatives are designed to break down barriers and create pathways to opportunity, ensuring every student has the tools to succeed in college, career, and community.

A Focus on Literacy for All

We know that strong literacy skills are critical not just for academic success, but for lifelong success. Through our evidence-based, multisensory literacy interventions, the 2023-2024 school year saw remarkable progress. 737 students with IEPs in grades K-5 received Spire instruction, with 214 making significant gains. We are incredibly proud that 108 of those students reached grade-level proficiency in phonics. These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our amazing Special Education teachers and support staff.

Supporting Our Autistic Students

Building on our April Autism Appreciation Month momentum, we saw significant growth from 2021 to 2024.

• Graduation rates for students with Autism rose from 51.2% to 60.4%
• A-G completion rates among these graduates increased from 18.6% to 29.2%, creating more pathways to college

This spring, we strengthened our support through professional development sessions on neurodiversity for staff and celebrated with community events, including a neurodiversity read-in at Emerson Elementary. Family volunteers helped students develop understanding and appreciation for different ways of thinking and experiencing the world.

Paving the Way for Empowered Graduates

We are always focused on preparing our students for a successful transition to adulthood. During the 2023-2024 school year, students with disabilities had access to more opportunities than ever before.

• 20% increase in summer internship participation through partnerships with Expanded Learning and Linked Learning
• 100% increase in paid employment experiences by doubling our Department of Rehabilitation contract
• Record numbers attending community college courses through our Young Adult Program

These achievements build a strong foundation for continued success as our students transition to careers and higher education.

Strengthening Our Systems of Support

In response to Board Resolution 2021-0159, which ensures access to Social-Emotional and Academic Supports for Students with Disabilities, we are making great strides in breaking down barriers to access. Through partnerships with departments like Expanded Learning, the Oakland Athletic League (OAL), and Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), we have increased enrollment and participation in after-school programming and sports. More families now report that their children have access to a variety of extracurriculars, which is essential for building a fully inclusive school experience. Our investment in MTSS and core curricula ensures that more initiatives center on the needs of students with disabilities.

FLIP!: Fostering Friendships and the Power of Inclusive Play

We are thrilled to celebrate the growth and success of our FLIP! (Friends Learning with Inclusive Play) framework. For families of children with disabilities, the path to play isn't always straight, and navigating public spaces can sometimes lead to isolation. FLIP! was created to address this, fostering friendships and providing a space for families to build community in the joyful context of play.

What began as successful playgroups for PreK to Kinder families has blossomed into a districtwide initiative. Some of our standout partnerships this year have been with YES! Sports, ANTS Sports, 2COACHU, and Rob Skate Academy, who work directly with our Special Education Department to bring a variety of sports, including baseball, soccer, biking, and adaptive skating, to students with disabilities. With specialized equipment and staff experienced in special education, children who might never have imagined themselves participating in sports are now experiencing the freedom and joy of movement and play.

The impact has been particularly profound with our skating program. One parent shared, "The program has built [my son's] confidence. He's teaching his sisters how to skateboard. They all take turns together. He tells me, 'Mommy, I'm very good at skateboarding now. Do you want to learn? Let me teach you.'" She now sends photos from skating sessions to his speech therapist, who uses them to engage him in every session because of his passion for the sport.

Watch FLIP! playgroups in action

"Canvas of Inclusion": Art as a Catalyst for Community and Change

This year, OUSD was proud to unveil the "Canvas of Inclusion" mural project, a vibrant initiative that transformed the walls of Lockwood STEAM Academy, Montera Middle School, and Fremont High School into powerful symbols of access and belonging. A collaboration between the Special Education and VAPA departments, this project brought together more than 2,000 students, staff, and families to create stunning murals led by international artist Kyle Holbrook.

The process was deeply meaningful for both students and staff. As Lockwood art teacher Mayzie Zechini shared, "We prepared for Kyle's visit by exploring ways to fight ableism through art and learning about key advocates such as Ed Roberts and Judy Heumann. Co-teaching with 'Mr. Kyle' will forever be one of my favorite experiences." At Fremont High, teacher John Christie noted how the project reinforced that Fremont is "a school where pursuing self-discovery and expression through creativity is centered and prioritized for all."

A Night at the Movies: Celebrating Diverse Stories on the Big Screen

This past April, OUSD had the honor of hosting a powerful community event that brought together more than 150 students, families, and staff at Oakland's historic Grand Lake Theater. The evening was a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of centering the voices of individuals with disabilities. The event began with an inspiring panel discussion featuring young adults with disabilities, including students from OUSD's own Young Adult Program, who shared their personal journeys with profound insight.

Following the panel, the audience enjoyed a screening of the award-winning documentary, "The Ride Ahead: Love, Tattoos, and Other Disabled Things." The film follows creator Samuel Habib, a 21-year-old navigating the universal desire to start a career, find love, and move toward independence while living with a disability. "The Ride Ahead" has been celebrated at prestigious film festivals across the country, and we are thrilled to share that this remarkable film will have its broadcast premiere on the PBS series, POV, on Monday, July 21. We encourage the entire OUSD community to tune in.

Looking Ahead

The initiatives and stories shared here are more than just programs, they are a reflection of a vibrant, caring community in action. We are inspired by the progress we've made and the joy it has sparked in our schools. As we look to the future, we continue to build on this momentum, ensuring OUSD is a place where every student can flourish and reach their fullest potential.