Creating inclusive school cultures can be complex. Research shows that disability inclusion has immense positive benefits for all students and staff. “Just Say Hi!” is an award-winning (for DEI), disability inclusion, PK-12 schoolwide curriculum and program. It provides schools with an intentional, evidence-based pathway toward disability inclusion. While inclusion starts by just saying hi, it doesn’t end there: all students deserve to experience an ongoing sense of belonging in a welcoming, inclusive school community. Together, we can commit to making this happen.
The Just Say Hi! program, for all students with disabilities and without disabilities, is run by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF).
OUR curriculum is structured to reach the whole school community: leadership, staff, students and family members.
The Just Say Hi (JSH) program was recently awarded a Gold-Medal Class Anthem Award in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (2022). Our updated, comprehensive curriculum is a disability-inclusion, DEI-friendly, PK-12 school-based program. Its mission is to cultivate inclusive, welcoming school communities for students and staff with disabilities, their classmates and colleagues, and families.
WHY CHOOSE "JUST SAY HI”?
1 in 5 students has a disability
Research shows that students with disabilities are more likely to be bullied, grappling with the documented mental health consequences such as anxiety, depression, decreased academic achievement, and health complaints; have much higher rates than their non-disabled peers for absenteeism, lost instruction due to discipline, and racially disparate referrals to law enforcement; and show much lower graduation rates than their nondisabled peers.
When an evidence-based program such as JSH is implemented, worldwide studies document that students with disabilities have increased social, emotional, and physical well-being; attitudes of their non-disabled peers are positively impacted; students with disabilities acquire new skills; and, bottom line, their quality of life is positively affected and enhanced.
SCHOOL WIDE IMPROVEMENT
Suitable to use in and out of the classroom. From PK through 12th Grade, students learn invaluable skills that help them navigate their way through school as well as their community.
ENGAGING
Students eagerly anticipate Just Say Hi's fun, captivating lessons that include games, activities, and songs. The skills they learn are useful in school, on the playground, at home, and in their communities.
EASY TO USE
Lesson plans and activities are easy to implement and require little prep time. There are 84 scaffolded lesson plans, with additional resources available.
includes PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Six webinars following the six Just Say Hi modules are designed to provide depth of understanding to the curriculum content for educators, administrators, and other school staff.
What people are saying
“It’s important for us to have a program that helps our students understand why inclusion is important.”
— Stamo Karalazirides, Principal PS46
“The Just Say Hi Curriculum has served an an anchor and a scaffold for how we can look critically at our curriculum”
— Danielle Giunta, Superintendent District 26
