Questar III students at Red Mill Elementary School in Rensselaer had a hand in creating something special to raise awareness about disabilities. March was Disabilities Awareness Month, and while special education teachers Jeannette Hallock and Emily Bluhm were at a conference at the Perkins School for the Blind, they saw tactile quilts that students there made. These quilts are made from spare pieces of material with unique textures or fabrics, so that even students with visual impairments can “see” them. Hallock and Bluhm decided to take on a similar project for their students.
When the students began the project, they were working through a unit on children’s author and illustrator Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?). The class selected Carle’s book “From Head to Toe” as the model for the quilt. “From Head to Toe” has a confidence-building message as it has children try to imitate animal movements, but also teaches kids careful listening, focusing attention, and following instructions. “I CAN do it” became the theme of the quilt.
Following the theme of the book, each student chose an action they could do (jumping, 
hugging, walking backwards, etc.) and had their picture taken doing those actions. The students then re-created their photo using pieces of fabric donated from co-workers, friends and family. They also chose a border for their quilt square which they helped sew on.
Hallock says the students were involved in every step of the process, from choosing their “can-do action” to sewing each piece together to assemble the quilt.
The quilt is on display at Red Mill Elementary School for now, but at the end of the year, it will go to STRIDE’s Score Camp, where it will be displayed in the main lodge for the summer camping season. STRIDE offers recreational activities for people with disabilities.
