Why We Do What We Do

Choral or Unison responding is a classroom participation strategy in which all students answer together when given an opportunity to do so. This allows the teacher to ensure participation and identify students who may be struggilng. It also keeps students engaged and increases their retention of the material. We explain how it works. 

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Links and References: 

1. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Debra-Kamps/publication/15253492_Enhanced_small_group_instruction_using_choral_responding_and_student_interaction_for_children_with_autism_and_developmental_disabilities/links/566607e808ae4931cd6267fe/Enhanced-small-group-instruction-using-choral-responding-and-student-interaction-for-children-with-autism-and-developmental-disabilities.pdf
2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0198742917712968
3. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1045988X.2012.682184?needAccess=true
4. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ846929
5. https://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/choral.pdf
6. https://kyocare.com/choral-responding-a-versatile-aba-technique-to-engage-students/ 
7. https://medium.com/inspired-ideas-prek-12/why-unison-response-works-in-the-classroom-1c867e53acf3

https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/20/article/717782/pdf

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Different cultures around the world have unique perspectives on disability. We survey several different cultural values and approaches to thinking about and talking about disability. Of course, culture is not ubiquitous throughout a given region, so these are broad generalizations. But, it is useful to think about different ways people think about this topic that affects so many of us. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: Fan-designed bird promos for Wingspan (https://store.stonemaiergames.com/collections/wingspan-fan-designed-promo-packs)
• Shane: Coquito!

Holidays (12/24/2025):

• Christmas Eve
• Last Minute Shopper’s Day
• National Eggnog Day
• Christmas Bird Count Week
• Posadas

Links and References: 

1. https://www.ohio.edu/cas/psychology/addressing-model
2. https://theconversation.com/traditional-beliefs-inform-attitudes-to-disability-in-africa-why-it-matters-138558
3. https://asylos.org/nigeria-report/
4. https://www.cepal.org/notes/74/Titulares2
5. https://pwd.org.au/about-us/about-disability/history-of-australias-disability-movement/
6. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/01/17/personas-con-discapacidad-america-latina
7. https://www.thewashingtoncouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/F505-slides.pdf
8. https://www.worldforgottenchildren.org/blog/developmental-disabilities-in-children-across-different-cultures/22
9. https://www.umassp.edu/inclusive-by-design/who-before-how/understanding-disabilities
10. https://ncpd.org.za/how-do-different-cultures-view-disability/
11. https://miusa.org/resource/tip-sheets/global-disability-culture-101/
12. https://kidsnewtocanada.ca/mental-health/developmental-disability
13. https://rootedinrights.org/the-cultural-implications-of-being-disabled-in-india/
14. https://dsq-sds.org/article/id/789/

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Have you ever heard of circular breathing? For musicians who play instruments that require blown air, circular breathing is a technique to produce continuous notes without being interrupted by breathing in. However, circular breathing isn't a very accurate name for it. We'll explain what it is, how to do it, and briefly touch on circular breathing as it relates to mindfulness and throat singing. Have you tried circular breathing?

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Links and References: 

1. https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-today/winter-2012/the-woodshed/circular-breathing
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/circular-breathing
3. https://clarinet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Circular-Breathing.pdf
4. https://musicforbrass.com/blogs/students/circular-breathing-when-and-how-to-use-it?srsltid=AfmBOoraj42qmdEDlo2DNNb_CuAlJWFfp5S6JveqstCB_WKE_5SId3NE 

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Conditions that differ from "normal," sometimes called disability, don't preclude people with those conditions from being able to do regular vocational activities, and may even give them an advantage. Many employers have found financial and cultural benefits to hiring people with disabilities, people with disabilities have demonstrated their ability to thrive an be unique and meaningful contributions, and some activities are performed more economically. efficiently, or competenty by  people with disabilities. We give some concrete examples.

Recommendations

• Abraham: Recursion (Blake Crouch; https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42046112-recursion)
• Shane: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52180399-the-only-good-indians) 

Holidays (17 December 2025):

• Clean Air Day
• International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
• National Maple Syrup Day
• Pan American Aviation Day
• Wright Brothers Day
• Christmas Bird Count Week
• Cookie Exchange Week
• Hanukkah
• Human Rights Week
• Saturnalia

Links and References: 

1. https://rockfordisability.com/2023/01/13/10-perks-of-being-a-disabled-person/
2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/observations/the-case-for-disabled-astronauts/
3. https://eri-wi.org/fact-sheet-employers/#:~:text=The%20Business%20Benefits%20of%20Hiring%20People%20with%20Disabilities&text=Businesses%20that%20hire%20and%20support,resilience%2C%20boosting%20overall%20team%20productivity.&text=With%20unemployment%20rates%20among%20people,who%20are%20ready%20to%20contribute.&text=Employers%20may%20qualify%20for%20tax,offset%20accommodation%20and%20accessibility%20costs.&text=Higher%20employee%20retention%20reduces%20turnover,investment%20outweighs%20the%20initial%20costs.&text=Businesses%20that%20reflect%20their%20customer,a%20wide%20range%20of%20needs.
4. https://hbr.org/2023/07/disability-as-a-source-of-competitive-advantage
5. https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/blog/entry/5_reasons_to_hire_people_with_disabilities
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29392591/ 
7. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit
8. https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/research/research-highlights/disability-as-a-source-of-competitive-advantage 
9. https://www.physicianleaders.org/articles/disability-as-a-source-of-competitive-advantage 

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Because this was selected the "word of the year," we decided we may as well discuss it. If you've been lucky enough to miss this trend, sorry to end your lucky streak. If you've been hearing this and don't understand what it means, we'll explain the history and what it means (spoiler, you're not missing anything). If you are a big fan of the "six seveeeen" craze, then maybe there's something here for you to learn as well. We hope you enjoy! 

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Links and References: 

1. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-the-mystery-of-67-why-dictionary-com-chose-a-number-instead-of-a-word-and-why-is-everyone-talking-about-it/articleshow/125008609.cms?from=mdr
2. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/18/us/6-7-meme-slang-explained-cec#:~:text=(He%20stands%20at%206%20feet,are%20you%20a%20party%20pooper?%E2%80%9D 
3. https://www.dictionary.com/culture/slang/67
4. https://screenshot-media.com/culture/internet-culture/six-seven-trend-meaning/#:~:text=Skrilla%20admitted%20as%20much%20to%20The%20Wall,definition%20is%20%60%60why%20everybody%20keeps%20saying%20it
5. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dictionary-67-2025-word-of-the-year-meaning/#:~:text=U.S.-,Dictionary.com%20picks%20%2267%2C%22%20a%20%22nonsensical%20and,2025%20word%20of%20the%20year&text=Nicole%20Brown%20Chau%20is%20a%20deputy%20managing%20editor%20for%20CBSNews.com.

https://whyy.org/articles/meaning-6-7-skrilla-philadelphia/#:~:text=The%20phrase%20comes%20from%20a,cooler%20group%20of%20their%20peers.%E2%80%9D

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Sometimes investment groups will purchase and then unify individually-owned, small businesses that provide care for people with disabilities. Once they've acquired enough businesses, they'll turn around and sell the conglomerated entity to the highest bidder. There are some advantages... kind of... if you're being generous. But ther are a lot of disadvantages. We do our best to be fair while also explaining the reality of the situation. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: Wicked: For Good (https://www.wickedmovie.com/) 
• Shane: Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII by Chester Nez and Judith Schiess Avila

Holidays (10 December 2025):

• Dewey Decimal System Day
• Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales
• Human Rights Day
• International Animal Rights Day
• Jane Addams Day
• National Day of Animal Rights
• National Lager Day
• Nobel Prize Day
• Computer Science Education Week
• Human Rights Week
• Lager Beer Week
• National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week
• National Groundwater Awareness Week
• National Handwashing Awareness Week
• National Influenza Vaccination Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.urblaw.com/the-effects-of-private-equity-firms-on-disability-services/#:~:text=Takeaways,extract%20significant%20short%2Dterm%20profits.
2. https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/18/private-equity-ownership-care-homes-intellectual-developmental-disabilities/#:~:text=Private%20equity%20firms%20are%20acquiring,population's%20health%20care%20is%20growing.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr-Cyx795p8&t=124s
4. https://stateline.org/2025/05/16/private-equity-snaps-up-disability-services-challenging-state-regulators/#:~:text=By:%20Anna%20Claire%20Vollers%20%2D%20May,that%20is%20to%20cut%20costs.%E2%80%9D
5. https://prospect.org/2025/03/18/2025-03-18-private-equity-vultures-care-facilities-disabled/#:~:text=Private%20equity%20giants%20have%20spent,More%20from%20Daniel%20Boguslaw
6. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2821686
7. https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/120220%20Life%20at%20Cypress%20House%20-%20An%20Examination%20of%20Care%20Provided%20by%20MENTOR%20Oregon.pdf
8. https://apps.ahca.myflorida.com/dm_web/DMWeb_DocsFO/13871688.pdf 
9. https://pestakeholder.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PESP_Report_IDD_2025.pdf 

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This is not about the movie(s). Amazingly, that didn't even occur to us before, during, or even immediately after recording this... This is about the ability some people have to identify or possibly produce exact notes, called perfect pitch, or natural pitch, or absolute pitch. Is it genetic? Is it learned? Are those nonsensical questions? We'll explain a bit of the research on perfect pitch (and relative pitch, which is technically different). 

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Links and References: 

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002929707634867#:~:text=Absolute%20pitch%20(AP)%2C%20also%20known%20as%20%E2%80%9Cperfect,musical%20tone%2C%20without%20an%20external%20reference%20pitch.
2. https://www.huddlestone.es/en/perfect-pitch/
3. https://news.uchicago.edu/explainer/what-is-perfect-pitch
4. https://www.musical-u.com/learn/perfect-pitch-is-not-magic/

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A touchy topic that some people don't want to touch is sexuality as it relates to disability. There is some "moral" prudishness that borders on (if not explicitly crosses into) eugenics for those who think sex is not a topic for diability. People with disabilities are people, and people have sexual motivations. We mostly dispell some myths people may have sex and disability as well as share some fun things you may not know.

Recommendations

• Abraham: Origin Story (board game; https://stonemaiergames.com/games/origin-story/)
• Shane: My band’s new records! GOD//MAN - DREAMSEEKER (https://godman.bandcamp.com/album/dreamseeker) and Cyberbully - Welcome to the Internet (2k25 Demo) (https://cyberbullyhc.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-the-internet-demo-2k25)

Holidays (12/3/2025):

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• International Spirit of the Game Day
• Let’s Hug Day
• Make a Gift Day
• National Apple Pie Day
• National Green Bean Casserole Day
• National Package Protection Day
• National Roof Over Your Head Day
• Women Wednesday
• Cookie Cutter Week

Links:

1.  https://www.independenceaustralia.com.au/health-articles/health-disabilities-and-sex/
2. https://shq.org.au/2022/09/common-myths-sexuality-disability/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20131952/
4. https://sexualityanddisability.org/having-sex/mythbusting/

 

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The industry around sex equipment has been leading the charge in the development of equipment for different bodies and impairments. This mini describes some of the advances and innovations that have developed for various body types and impairments to engage in safe, sexual activities. 

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Links: 

1. https://www.intimaterider.com/
2. https://dds.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dds/publication/attachments/Oct%202018%20-%20Adaptive%20Devices%20for%20Intimacy%20and_or%20Sexual%20Engagement.pdf
3. https://abilitymagazine.com/disability-sex-and-adult-toys-by-and-for-people-with-disabilities/ 

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The vernacular treadmill is ever running and we often find we are behind on the currently accepted terms. While some struggle to accept change, many of us prefer to treat our fellow humans with respect by adopting the terms that are more compassionate. We briefly touch on the history of some terms as well as the current "best practices," including the controvery around person-first or identity-first language. What are some you didn't know? Did we miss any?

Recommendations

• Abraham: Hens (board game: https://www.littlerocketgames.com/product/hens/) 
• Shane: The Running Man (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14107334/)

Holidays (11/26/26):

• Blackout Wednesday
• Coton de Tulear Day
• Good Grief Day
• National Cake Day
• National Jukebox Day
• Spitegiving
• Tie One On Day
• What Do You Love About America Day
• Better Conversation Week
• Church/State Separation Week
• GERD Awareness Week
• National Adoption Week
• National Family Week
• National Farm-City Week
• National Game & Puzzle Week

Links: 

1. https://adata.org/factsheet/ADANN-writing
2. https://www.ndrn.org/resource/communicating-about-people-with-disabilities/#:~:text=Avoid%20Using%20Euphemisms,part%20of%20the%20human%20experience.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaGmxrPnYAM&t=7s
4. https://www.adcet.edu.au/resource/11292/file/19/3a-Guide-to-language-about-disability-FINAL_230209.pdf 
5. https://odr.dc.gov/page/people-first-language#:~:text=The%20People%20First%20Respectful%20Language,and%20publications%20and%20all%20internet 

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Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast