Welcome to the New Voices Initiative!
WHAT IS NEW VOICES?
New Voices helps children with severe communication and physical disabilities maximize their learning potential. A three-stage approach of assessment to determine a child’s capabilities, classroom support for inclusion, and teacher training to build school capacities provides a comprehensive service mix. A transitional day school component will help children who need additional scaffolding. The ultimate goal of New Voices is inclusion in all aspects of life!
HOW DID IT ALL START?
Recognizing the need to help schools build capacities to include these children, a coalition of more than 45 advisors, including medical specialists from UNC and Duke Schools of Medicine, therapists, educators, parents, and other professionals from across the state developed the New Voices Initiative. Five school districts in the Triangle are targeted for initial services as New Voices builds capacities for statewide replication. The New Voices Foundation was established as the administrative and fundraising engine for the New Voices Initiative.
WHO DO WE SERVE?
New Voices gives voice to children with severe physical disabilities who are unable to communicate. Imagine if you could not speak, write or gesture? LIMITED BODIES DO NOT MEAN LIMITED MINDS! Communication technology and our ability to assess and understand these children are greatly improving but equipment is expensive and teachers and professionals need support and expertise to include these children. Children with great potential to learn are often left out of the mainstream. New Voices will serve elementary children through transition to middle school. Over 240 students have been identified in the Triangle region who would immediately benefit.
WHERE IS NEW VOICES?
Here! Our collaboration includes five initial school districts—Wake, Durham, Chapel Hill, Orange, and Chatham. The Research Triangle region of North Carolina is anchored by three leading research universities -UNC, NC State, and Duke – all yielding a wealth of experience and knowledge. The long-term goal of New Voices is to offer a single site where children and families can access assessment and evaluation services, an intensive educational transition program if needed, and a training site for teachers and professionals. New Voices represents a service and business model that can be replicated in other regions of the state and country.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
New Voices Foundation is actively seeking funding support from both private and public sources. Your support and involvement will not only strengthen service activities, but will help spread awareness and build capacities for statewide replication. Your contribution will stand as a vote of confidence for the vital work undertaken by the dedicated parents and professionals currently giving voice to a major community need.