The Problem
Educational and social advancement of youth can be difficult for youth that have disabilities. Last year we started a program to create fidgets for youth who had autism to assist them. The sixty youth used the fidgets to help with dealing with outside stimulus which could develop in off task behavior. Eighteen youth will be assigned to work with educational staff to develop the fidgets using stl and obj files to 3d print these for youth to use to stay on task during courses instruction in math, science, and language arts. These youth will serve as liaison between educational staff, University of Nebraska 4H Extension staff, and Aquatic Society of Omaha INC members. Last year the project had the President of Omaha Public School board and Omaha Education Association come to take fidgets to various other schools to assist students in other locations (60 additional ones created). This year the eighteen youth wish to continue this program in the September meeting. Possible 2025 roll out to shelter youth to help in these at-risk communities. Community members will assist in providing funding opportunities such as TAGG which allows local business to donate 5% of a receipt from a person who sends it to their website. This allows additional year-round funding of the project.
