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"The program has the right amount of sensitivity and humor. I really think this showed students that they have things in common with people with disabilities."
- A Minnesota teacher

puppets on a playground

A boy and a puppet take on intolerance
Duncan Masterman, a 7-year-old Brooklyn Park boy, doesn’t mind teaching others about his Tourette syndrome. He doesn’t have to explain much at school anymore, though, since Lynn Dennis and volunteers from the PACER Center, used a puppet named Connor to explain the syndrome to his classmates.

puppets at a picnic table

Want to learn more? Contact puppets@pacer.org

COUNT ME IN®

The COUNT ME IN puppet program is designed to help children and adults learn about disabilities and chronic illnesses in an effort to bridge the gap between typical students and those with disabilities. This program, originated in 1979, has reached over 350,000 children and adults and continues to teach the message that all children want to play and learn to the best of their abilities.

COUNT ME IN features six endearing, child-size, multicultural puppets that portray children with disabilities. These puppets have proven to be effective communicators of the message of understanding and acceptance, helping to dispel fears, myths and misconceptions about persons with disabilities.

The preschool/kindergarten program is designed for 4-6 year olds and includes:

  • Gina, who is blind and uses a cane
  • Jay, who is deaf or hard of hearing
  • Sally, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair

The elementary core program is geared to 1st - 4th grade and includes:

  • Gina, who is blind
  • Jay, who is deaf or hard of hearing
  • Sally, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair
  • Corey, who has Down syndrome

Additional puppets and scripts which are available include:













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PACER is the Minnesota Parent Training and Information Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs

Visit PACER's other sites: ALLIANCE | Teens Against Bullying | Kids Against Bullying | Project C3 | FAPE Project | Minnesota SEACs

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