Dispelling myths about people with disabilities
Posted: December 2, 2015 6:00 a.m.
Kinesiology students as shown in the video (l-r) Jordan Wirachowsky, Matthew Pacholko, Jason Mo and Jordan Wyonzek. Photo Courtesy of Strategy Lab.
|
Some myths and misconceptions about people with disabilities are being explored in a compelling and thoughtful video produced by four Kinesiology students.
The video production is titled; Inclusion Matters: Debunking Common Myths Around Disability.
“We hope to generate some critical thinking and open-ended discussions about the current myths and stereotypes many people have about people with disabilities,” says Jordan Wirachowsky, one of four students involved in the production. “The overall message is we hope it can change attitudes towards people with disabilities and create a more inclusive society.”
Wirachowsky, along with Matthew Pacholko, Jason Mo and Jordan Wyonzek, came up with the idea as part of a project in their Kinesiology 342 class, Developmental Disabilities & Well-Being, taught by professor Brenda Rossow-Kimball.
The video has been produced to coincide with International Day of Persons With Disabilities, December 3. That day, the video will be shown to a class at Campbell Collegiate in Regina.
In the video, students, faculty and staff on campus are asked to respond, sometimes with little or no warning, to various statements relating to myths about people with disabilities, including:
- people with disabilities only like to spend time with others who have disabilities;
- people with disabilities are more likely to be injured in the workplace;
- people with disabilities are not independent and are unable to perform tasks of daily living.
“A few individuals gave some real thought to the questions and strived to dig deeper and find true meaning in the questions,” says Pacholko. “Some students appeared at a loss of explanation. Perhaps it was because they've never thought of the topic in such a way before or because they were put on the spot.”
Watch Inclusion Matters: Debunking Common Myths Around Disability, produced jointly by Brandon Wu of Strategy Lab and Creative Options Regina.
As part of the assignment, the students were asked to connect with a community organization and create a project that recognizes this year’s theme for International Day of Persons With Disabilities.
The students connected with Creative Options Regina, a non-profit organization in Regina that develops personalized support services for people with disability.
“Participating in class projects such as this helps raise awareness of our organization, while further contributing to the development of a more inclusive community for all,” says Michael Lavis, Executive Director of Creative Options Regina.
The video’s overall message, say the students, is the hope it can change peoples’ attitudes towards those with disabilities and create a more inclusive society.
“A more inclusive society helps build relationships and allows people with different abilities to be valued and shown dignity,” says Pacholko.
Related Stories
- Student strives to make U of R even more accessible
- Astonished! renews agreement with U of R
- New video celebrates Campus for All
- George Reed Foundation establishes new centre
The U of R's Centre for Student Accessibility aims to encourage independence, self-advocacy and equality for all students. For more information please visit here.