Belly Rubbins For Bubbins- (Accessibility Version)

Sydni Cohen is a Special Education teacher in Maryland. She received her B.S./M.Ed. in Special Education, with a certification in Severe and Profound Disabilities, from the University of Maryland. She also studied American Sign Language at Gallaudet University and earned her Administration & Supervision Certificate from Johns Hopkins University. Sydni has been a Special Education classroom teacher since 2015, working with students who have a variety of disabilities. While teaching, Sydni has experienced an issue common to those working in Special Education: a lack of teaching materials specifically designed to meet the unique needs of her students. Sydni and her husband Zach rescued their pitbull, Joie, in 2018. The story of Bubbins resonated with them because Joie also had experienced trauma and a long stay in an animal shelter before being adopted. Sydni wanted to use the story of Bubbins in her classroom, but rather than adapting the story for only her students, Sydni contacted the author, Jason Kraus, to see if he would be interested in creating a new version of Bubbins, with accessibility features that would meet the needs of many readers across the country. Jason immediately said yes, and together Sydni and Jason created Bubbins: Accessibility Version. This book is specially created for readers who have learning, visual, communicative, and attention needs. Readers can differentiate this story using the tools embedded throughout the book. Sydni is excited to introduce the Bubbins: Accessibility Version to readers, families, and teachers who have struggled to find books appropriate for their needs. In the future, Sydni and Jason plan to collaborate on more books for readers with unique differences.