​My name is Chandler Kirkland and I'm a Junior at The Paideia School. For the past three years, I’ve volunteered with students at a private high school catered to neurodiverse teens and young adults. I also am the Vice President of my school's Best Buddies Club, an international non-profit organization promoting inclusion, friendship, and leadership with students with varying Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Throughout my experiences, I have seen the different aspects of education for students with IDD and how individualized it must be. Yet, I've also noticed that many of the necessary educational resources for youth with IDD in public schools, homes, and lesser-funded areas are hard to come by (either too expensive or not suitable). To address this, I created Community Kaleidoscope, a project aimed at providing appropriate educational materials for kids and teens with various neurological disabilities who may lack access to them. I'm partnering with local Atlanta businesses and donating Community Kaleidoscope sensory boxes filled with fidget toys, specialized/appropriate books, and school supplies for youth-- of all different backgrounds and ability-- to have an opportunity to use outside of school and home.

You can support my initiative by purchasing these books, school supplies, and sensory items in my Amazon wishlist.  

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With your help, we can make sure that all students have access to the tools that foster equal opportunities for learning and comfort. Together, we can create a more inclusive, supportive, and empowered community for everyone. Thank you!