Tag Archives: autism

Photo Releasing Your Child: The Basics of What to Know

Posted on by
Reply

By Chris Misun, Meridian, Miss.

 

A special needs students examines a bush during a field trip. Parents at Northeast Elementary are given release forms to sign at the beginning of each school year to allow their children to be videotaped and photographed.
2012 Copyright – Chris Misun

Approaching topics featuring special-needs children comes with special requirements, tasks, and careful planning.  When producing a multimedia piece featuring those children, a very important part is obtaining the proper permission to photograph and/or videotape the child.  Approaching the parents of the child and providing them with a Video Release or Appearance Release Form, which is defined as “…a simple contract that gives you legal permission to use the image of the person who has signed the form for commercial and noncommercial purposes,” according to WebVideoZone, will help you gain the rights to use the image and likeness of that child in your publication.

Often times the forms can be as simple as these examples from Kino-Eye or as complicated as MTV’s Standard Real World cast-member contract released by The Village Voice Blog.  The contract from MTV has evolved over time due to past incidents featuring cast members and the way they were portrayed as featured in an article by Jezebel.

Signing a photo release is a legal document. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when presented with one.
2012 Copyright – Chris Misun

Knowing your rights, as both the producer and the subject, are important to maintaining a positive relationship and helps to keep a solid understanding of what the intentions of the production will ultimately be.  As mentioned in the examples above concerning The Real World, cast members have attempted to sue MTV on being portrayed in a “false light” or appearing to have acted different out of context.

It is important to read and understand photo release documents from media organizations to be aware of your rights.
2012 Copyright – Chris Misun

In an upcoming multimedia project by Misun Media, we will be discussing the pros and cons of new technology for teaching special-needs students.  At Northeast Elementary School in Lauderdale County, Miss., special needs teacher, Alison Misun says, “Parents are given a form at the beginning of the school year giving them the option to allow their children to be videotaped or photographed during the year by the local TV station, newspaper, the teacher or other approved groups by the school.”  The local TV Station, WTOK and newspaper, The Meridian Star is required to contact the school before arriving.  Misun says, “We like to give the parents a heads up as to when a news media is coming to the school.”

@MisunMedia

Survey Results: Strong Support for Special Education to Use iPads

Posted on by
Reply

Copyright 2012 Misun Media

Recently MisunMedia conducted a survey asking people about their opinions concerning the use of computerized devices such as, but not limited to, the Apple iPad to help teach special needs students, especially those with non-verbal disabilities.

Across the board, all of the people who took part in the survey voted, “Yes,” in, “supporting the use of devices such as the iPad in Special Needs classroom.”

The participants also were asked to choose whichever methods they felt were the best ways to work with non-verbal children and 71% selected “Sign Language,” along with,

“iPad or other Tablet PC devices.”  A much smaller percentage, less than half in fact, selected “other communication devices,” such as the PRC Vantage Lite and, “Picture Prompts,” as other options.

 

MisunMedia also posted a story on June 10, 2012 that contained a video that lays a basis for the topic on the pros and cons of using computerized communication devices for special needs children.  The video received two likes in particular from two special needs teachers. One works with speech students and another who works primarily with autistic children.

The topic will continue to be a strong topic as the Tablet PC devices have become more affordable, but don’t offer as direct of social interaction as the Vantage Lite does.  And as one school year ends and another is on the way and parents are preparing their children for the next grade and trying to determine the proper supplies students will need.  Another result from the survey proposed the question, “If schools didn’t provide computer devices for your child, would you purchase one for your home?”  The result was 100% for, “Yes,” but one participant commented, “I would like to purchase one, but the cost is too much, as I have so many other medical expenses to pay on,” which still stresses that even though the prices are much less expensive in comparison, they are still more than everyone is able to afford.

As MisunMedia continues to explore this topic, the community input will be invaluable and strongly desired.  Please feel free to leave comments on this post or on our Facebook page and let us know your feelings.

@MisunMedia

Meridian’s Challenger League

Posted on by
Reply

By Chris Misun, Meridian, Miss

For almost two decades, a group in Meridian has organized an activity called Challenger League.  The Parents Circle Support Group is responsible for providing an opportunity to special needs children to participate in softball one night a week for four weeks between April and May.

“We usually have about 80 children that participate from all around Newton County, Lauderdale County, Kemper, Neshoba…,” says Patty Smith, the treasurer for the group.

The children are placed on teams and each player gets a turn to bat before the teams switch from offense to defense.  Depending on time permitting, each player gets at least two at bats each night.

“It gives our children an opportunity to be able to participate in sports and all because at this time of year everybody is playing sports, so this gives our children an opportunity that are unable to play for any regular team.”

The Parents Circle Support group also offers bowling as an activity at different times throughout the year, but playing ball has been the favorite amongst the kids.

@MisunMedia

The Dustys and Debs help volunteer with the special needs kids while they play ball.

Students spread out among three different fields and age groups to participate in Challenger League.

 

All of the kids participating get to bat a couple of times each night.