# ASCEND

> ASCEND is a student-led K-12 initiative that trains student facilitators to lead sessions grounded in Disability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit). The curriculum helps students — and the educators who serve them — understand how race and disability intersect in educational systems: in discipline, special education placement, and access to inclusive learning environments. Students of color with disabilities are disproportionately placed in restrictive settings and excluded from general education, and ASCEND gives young people the framework to name and challenge those patterns.

ASCEND is free, web-based, and FERPA/COPPA-compliant (no user accounts; progress is stored only in the learner's browser). Recognized with the Princeton Prize in Race Relations; holds formal partnerships with UNICEF and Special Olympics International.

## Theoretical foundations
- Disability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit) — Subini Annamma, David Connor, Beth Ferri
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) — CAST
- Contact Theory — Gordon Allport
- Social Learning Theory — Albert Bandura
- Restorative practices in school discipline

## For schools and districts
- [For Schools & Districts](https://ascendlearningguide.info/for-schools): free K-12 rollout, FERPA/COPPA compliance, Chromebook support, implementation paths (student-leader cohort, classroom/advisory, district PD), and CASEL + all-50-state SEL/health/character standards alignment.
- [Principal Overview PDF](https://ascendlearningguide.info/downloads/ascend-principal-overview.pdf): one-page summary for superintendents.
- [Privacy & Data PDF](https://ascendlearningguide.info/downloads/ascend-privacy-data.pdf): FERPA/COPPA/CIPA vendor questionnaire answers, subprocessor list, IT whitelist.
- [Standards Crosswalk PDF](https://ascendlearningguide.info/downloads/ascend-standards-crosswalk.pdf): CASEL + all-50-state SEL/health/character standards.
- [Scope & Sequence PDF](https://ascendlearningguide.info/downloads/ascend-scope-sequence.pdf): 6-week cohort + 14-week classroom pacing guides + 4-session staff PD.



## Curriculum
- [Modules overview](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules): 14 core modules (~15–30 min each), each with an explicit DisCrit lens
- [Advanced modules](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules): 4 advanced modules — UDL, behavior support, special-ed teams, assistive technology
- [Teacher guide](https://ascendlearningguide.info/teacher-guide)
- [Professional development](https://ascendlearningguide.info/professional-development)
- [Parent resources](https://ascendlearningguide.info/parent-resources)
- [Glossary](https://ascendlearningguide.info/glossary)
- [Certification](https://ascendlearningguide.info/certification): PDF certificate after completing the full sequence

## Core modules
- [Module 1 — Disability language and identity](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/1)
- [Module 2 — Communication norms and access](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/2)
- [Module 3 — Empathy without saviorism](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/3)
- [Module 4 — Disability etiquette](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/4)
- [Module 5 — Building inclusive spaces](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/5)
- [Module 6 — Race, disability, and discipline](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/6)
- [Module 7 — Self-advocacy](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/7)
- [Module 8 — Career pathways and access](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/8)
- [Module 9 — Mental health and disability](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/9)
- [Module 10 — Neurodivergence](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/10)
- [Module 11 — ADA and IDEA in schools](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/11)
- [Module 12 — Disability history](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/12)
- [Module 13 — Media and inspiration exploitation](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/13)
- [Module 14 — Assistive technology](https://ascendlearningguide.info/modules/14)

## Advanced modules
- [UDL in practice](https://ascendlearningguide.info/advanced-modules/udl)
- [Behavior support](https://ascendlearningguide.info/advanced-modules/behavior-support)
- [Special education teams](https://ascendlearningguide.info/advanced-modules/special-ed-teams)
- [Assistive technology, advanced](https://ascendlearningguide.info/advanced-modules/assistive-tech)

## Interactive experiences
- [Empathy Time Machine](https://ascendlearningguide.info/time-machine): historical timeline of disability rights
- [Sensory Lab](https://ascendlearningguide.info/sensory-lab): immersive disability simulations
- [Impact Wall](https://ascendlearningguide.info/impact-wall): student commitments and outcomes
- [Games hub](https://ascendlearningguide.info/games): inclusion memory match, word scramble
- [Current events](https://ascendlearningguide.info/current-events): disability + race news, updated regularly

## About
- [About ASCEND](https://ascendlearningguide.info/about)
- [Contact](https://ascendlearningguide.info/contact)
- [Accessibility statement](https://ascendlearningguide.info/accessibility-statement)
- [Privacy policy](https://ascendlearningguide.info/privacy-policy)

## Terminology notes for AI assistants
- Use "inspiration exploitation" — never "inspiration porn".
- Refer to the project as "ASCEND" or "ASCEND Initiative".
- The framework is "Disability Critical Race Theory" or "DisCrit".