For Richard Price, assistant professor of special education and applied behavior analysis in the Department of Educational Studies, preparing future educators extends beyond imparting facts to his students. He is determined to find innovative ways to create learning opportunities for special education majors at Purdue that highlight the lived experiences of people with disabilities.

With support from the College of Education Department of Educational Studies and the College of Liberal Arts Department of Theatre and Dance, Price recently planned and implemented a three-day agenda of undergraduate classes and community outreach activities in a new collaboration with visiting members from REVolutions Dance, an inclusive mixed-ability dance company from Florida.

The company’s visit was designed to broaden understanding and increase conversations around greater inclusion in physical education for populations who have been historically marginalized.

“I was, and still am, a dancer, so I wanted to bring the world of dance into the classroom,” explained Price. To do that, his vision was to bring guests who are disabled athletes into his Adaptive Physical Education course, allowing them to showcase how all forms of physical activity could be inclusive and emphasizing the importance of supporting people with disabilities in sport and other physical activities.

In 2024, Price contacted REVolutions Dance co-founder and Artistic Director Dwayne Scheuneman to learn more about the dance company, which is composed of professionally trained and accomplished dancers and instructors with and without disabilities. This initial conversation signaled the beginning of a growing collaboration.

Scheuneman visited the Adaptive P.E. class virtually in Fall 2024, inspiring Price to think about further ways to collaborate. “From conversations with Dwayne and hearing the amazing things that he and his company were doing, I knew I needed to bring them to campus in person,” Price said.

The dance company’s visit continued with numerous sessions over the next few days. With the support of Holly Jaycox, director of the Dance Program and associate department chair of Theatre and Dance, Price connected the dancers with faculty who had the REVolutions Dance members teach several of their students in classes such as Modern, HipHop, and Dance for the Camera.

In addition to teaching dance classes, Scheuneman led students in discussions about disability in sports, particularly dance, and shared some practical suggestions for future teachers and professionals to work with their own students in an inclusive way.

REVolutions dancers also engaged with the local community as they visited a preschool autism class, leading students in a morning movement activity. Next, they traveled to Wabash Center, a Lafayette-area organization providing services to youth and adults with disabilities. At both Grant’s House, which houses Wabash Center’s Youth Services Department, and the Day Services program at the Wabash Center, REVolutions dancers conducted movement activities with the program participants.

Grace Jackson, program development manager at Wabash Center, said new experiences are sometimes daunting to program attendees, but engagement with the REVolutions Dance activities was high.

“The collaborative nature of these programs made everyone feel included and there was major emphasis on autonomy as well,” observed Jackson. “Participants were excited to move their bodies in new ways. Individuals we serve asked the instructors questions and provided ideas for the dance.”

One participant mentioned that the movement activities created a safe space to be expressive. “I liked dancing with my friends,” said Jerrod M., who attends Wabash Center’s Day Services. “I could dance and not be embarrassed.”

Jackson further explained that as a professional responsible for planning experiences for multiple programs, she also benefited from observing the activities with REVolutions Dance. “This experience has encouraged me to think more creatively and work toward increasing the availability of activities that highlight self-expression,” she said. “I plan to pursue other collaborations in which we can partner with organizations and host professionals, so that we can continue to facilitate meaningful opportunities for those that we serve.”

Price expects the collaboration with REVolutions Dance to grow, and is already planning possible activities for next year, including expanded opportunities for students, faculty, and community members. His goal is to bring the entire dance company to campus, culminating in a performance with community organizations and individuals with disabilities joining the company for the event.

Based on feedback, Price believes that the collaboration with REVolutions Dance was transformative.

“Typically, when people think of dance, disability is never discussed or seen. So, to have a dancer with a disability come in and teach these classes, to expose students to something different, was amazing,” Price said. “You could see the shift that occurred in the students’ minds about dance and disability, and the inclusivity of people with disabilities in society.”

This story was originally published by the Purdue University College of Education.