Students at Bubb Elementary School are using wheelchairs, walkers and crutches this week as part of the school's "Ability Awareness Week."

The event, beginning this Monday, is meant to help students appreciate some of the challenges their peers face, such as autism, Asperger syndrome, dyslexia and hearing impairments as well as physical challenges.

Principal Mary Dietrich said this ability awareness week is especially important as autism becomes more common. At least one child in every grade at the elementary school is on the autism spectrum, Dietrich said.

Students will participate in activities designed to help them understand and empathize with peers who have fine motor control disabilities, learning, visual and hearing impairments, and physical and social challenges.

During an exercise on motor control, for example, students will try to button up a T-shirt while wearing socks on their hands.

— Casey Weiss

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