17 replies to this topic

[eleanorigby]

The university I work for and attend is having a diversity week next month and our department (Disabilit Resource Center) has been asked to help coordinate the disability aspect of diversity. This is a very large university, so the events are fairly large and money isn't a huge issue. The campus bookstore wants to create a display of books, movies, software, ect. related to disabilities and needs suggestions. Do any of you have suggestions?

Also, I wanted to ask about activities for the event. We had a meeting today and one of the suggestions that was made (well, really the only suggestion) was a walk/wheel tour. This is where students can experience the campus as a disabled person (whether in a chair, blindfolded, ect.) as see what it's like. The two other people at this meeting in chairs were instantly offended by this suggestion, espcially a para woman I work with. She said that it made people with disabilities seem like a big joke or the people participating would think it was a joke. She said it would be like wearing blackface to see what it's like being black. I myself didn't have a problem with the idea. I've been on this campus as both a student and employee and other students have never disresepcted me for being in a chair, or even treated me that differently to be honest. What do you guys think, would it be offensive? The two other wheelers in the office are both at least 20 years older than me, could this be the difference?

[disjointed]

eleanorigby, on Sep 12 2008, 08:07 PM, said:

The university I work for and attend is having a diversity week next month and our department (Disabilit Resource Center) has been asked to help coordinate the disability aspect of diversity. This is a very large university, so the events are fairly large and money isn't a huge issue. The campus bookstore wants to create a display of books, movies, software, ect. related to disabilities and needs suggestions. Do any of you have suggestions?

film: Twin Falls Idaho
first of 3 feature films written/directed by Mark and Michael Polish

this is an artistic piece, an independent film -- not one of those 'feel good' I-overcame-adversity Hollywood or Lifetime Original movies with the requisite physical rehab montages.
Twin Falls Idaho encourages people to think about things they almost guaranteed have never considered before.
visually appealing, tastefully done
I highly recommend it

[Unbreakable]

I felt like "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" was an excellent film from a disabled point of view. I have also heard of speech therapists at rehab facilities using it for inspiration. It is just a very good film. I highly recommend it. Maybe someone else here that has also seen it or read the book can offer suggestions?

[longhaul]

Just make sure they get one of those chairs with solid tires and its real big like the ones at an air port or hospital, then have them try to open doors or use a restroom.

[jass1]

how a bout DVD disabled needs like restrooms and electric doors

that's were my cousins went to school

[disjointed]

another film: Children of a Lesser God
fantastic film, first ever with Marlee Matlin (she won and Oscar for her starring role)
focuses on the strong opposing views on deaf oralism versus Amer Sign Lang
very insightful about Deaf culture and, more generally, disability pride
very informative, lovely film to watch, lots of exposure to ASL (but fully interpreted for non-ASL users in the audience)

[qbounce]

I'm not at all offended by the idea of having people attempt to go around in a wheelchair. It's all in the presentation and how you put it forth.

The idea of a basic Invacare folding wheelchair was a good one, Longhaul! Accurb cutout or an incline might work too. I had to use a slow going chair for the first 6 months after iniury . . . that's how long it took my insurance to get me a fitted chair.

Hello, people, MURDERBALL, duh....

[Travelling Blackbird]

longhaul, on Sep 13 2008, 07:06 AM, said:

Just make sure they get one of those chairs with solid tires and its real big like the ones at an air port or hospital, then have them try to open doors or use a restroom.

Well said!

[Travelling Blackbird]

eleanorigby, on Sep 13 2008, 02:07 AM, said:

Do any of you have suggestions?

Documentaries:
Murderball
Darius Goes West

Are you interested in any good/intelligent representations of people with disabilities in the media, like well-rounded wheelchair using or blind characters in fiction, or only documentaries?

eleanorigby, on Sep 13 2008, 02:07 AM, said:

The two other people at this meeting in chairs were instantly offended by this suggestion, espcially a para woman I work with. She said that it made people with disabilities seem like a big joke or the people participating would think it was a joke. She said it would be like wearing blackface to see what it's like being black. .... What do you guys think, would it be offensive? The two other wheelers in the office are both at least 20 years older than me, could this be the difference?

I don't think it's offensive, provided it is handled well. It's all about the tone. It's not like you're suggesting it be like an amusement ride: "Let's try out a wheelchair... whee, look at me, I'm doing a wheelie! Okay, bored now." * stands up * It depends on the structure. If you started with a talk on the subject of getting around campus blind or in a wheelchair, and then gave the volunteers a checklist of things to do blindfolded or in a wheelchair. They would have to report back at the end.

However, I can only speak for myself and the few para/quad friends I have. There are people who could get offended because they are people who get offended anyway, not because there's something intrinsically wrong with the idea.

[azx43]

Thank you, qbounce and Traveling Blackbird- Murderball rocks and got disability issues to the masses. Another good movie that I've seen is Dance Me to My Song. It involves a woman with cerebral palsy and her intimate relationship with an AB man.

As for books, two excellent ones that I've redad and reccommend are Climbing Back by Mark Wellman, War Zones, Wheelchairs and Declarations of Independence by John Hockenberry.

I agree with T Blackbird, I am NOT offended by the wheel/walk tour idea. In college, people are supposed to try new things anyway; it's called "experiential education"! In fact, you might find that many people are simply open-minded and curious enough to want to find out first-hand what having a disability is like. However, it's like he said, it's not an amuzement park ride; few good hills (up AND down) oughta teach 'em that So might lifting it into the car multiple times per day, so might being active despite a disability and dealing with all the awkwardness and stares. There's considerably more to having a physical disability than just the physical issues, as I'm sure you have found!

[eleanorigby]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I brought up all your suggestons to the event committee. As for the wheelchair tour, I appreciate your replies there as well. If we do it, however, I don't think I would want to use one of those hospital folding chairs. They are not designed for real use, only for people to be pushed around in. I don't want people to come away from that experience thinking about how hard and horrible it is to be in a wheelchair, I just want people to be more conscientious.

[Kwag_Myers]

I hope I'm not too late to make a suggestion. If someone had the time to put a DVD together, maybe a collection of videos of tranfers, managing stairs, etc. Simon has some listed here. Plus, there are several others on YouTube that I found to be quite informative.

[zx10]

eleanorigby, on Sep 13 2008, 01:07 AM, said:

The university I work for and attend is having a diversity week next month and our department (Disabilit Resource Center) has been asked to help coordinate the disability aspect of diversity. This is a very large university, so the events are fairly large and money isn't a huge issue. The campus bookstore wants to create a display of books, movies, software, ect. related to disabilities and needs suggestions. Do any of you have suggestions?

Also, I wanted to ask about activities for the event. We had a meeting today and one of the suggestions that was made (well, really the only suggestion) was a walk/wheel tour. This is where students can experience the campus as a disabled person (whether in a chair, blindfolded, ect.) as see what it's like. The two other people at this meeting in chairs were instantly offended by this suggestion, espcially a para woman I work with. She said that it made people with disabilities seem like a big joke or the people participating would think it was a joke. She said it would be like wearing blackface to see what it's like being black. I myself didn't have a problem with the idea. I've been on this campus as both a student and employee and other students have never disresepcted me for being in a chair, or even treated me that differently to be honest. What do you guys think, would it be offensive? The two other wheelers in the office are both at least 20 years older than me, could this be the difference?

"You can't please all the people all the time" as the saying goes i'm 47 and i think its a good idea to blindfold people or put them in chairs and let them have a small taste of a disabled life,everyone laughs at first when doing something different partly due to nervous reaction not that they think another persons life is a joke. When i first became a paraplegic my wife and teenage daughters all tried going outside in my wheelchair along pavements,wheelies,pressure lifts etc and were shocked how difficult it was and how much my life had changed and i was proud of for doing this knowing it came out of love and respect not because it was a joke and seemed like fun.My brother even tried to eat lying down as i had to do in my early days in hospital because he could not understand how i managed it,result he nearly chocked to death which at the time i must admit amused me.
There are always going to be a few sceptics and disrespectful people in life but don't let this stop you press on its a good idea and i hope all goes well for you
best wishes
john

[Quad65]

I don't find it offensive at all having a 'wheelchair tour'. In fact, I'd highly recommend it. What would help is a pre-tour session where it is explained what they are expected to do and what they are not allowed to do by way of cheating.

I'll go one better and suggest that to simulate being a quad, they have to wear oven mitts on their hands all day and try to write, page through books, handle everyday items, shop, and eat or prepare meals.

It would be very instructional and a real eye opener, I'll wager.

[ParaforGod]

Joni Eareckson Tada has her life story on tape she is a Quad who dove into water years ago, she also has many books she has wrote. She is a artist and paints with a paint brush in between her teeth. Her website is www.joniandfriends.org.
If you just want to have a fun event when I was at Shephard Spinal Center we had to tie our wheelchairs together and race it was as if we where doing the three leg race. We had to race in and out between combs.

[Slowlegs]

eleanorigby, on Sep 13 2008, 12:07 AM, said:

The university I work for and attend is having a diversity week next month and our department (Disabilit Resource Center) has been asked to help coordinate the disability aspect of diversity. This is a very large university, so the events are fairly large and money isn't a huge issue. The campus bookstore wants to create a display of books, movies, software, ect. related to disabilities and needs suggestions. Do any of you have suggestions?

Also, I wanted to ask about activities for the event. We had a meeting today and one of the suggestions that was made (well, really the only suggestion) was a walk/wheel tour. This is where students can experience the campus as a disabled person (whether in a chair, blindfolded, ect.) as see what it's like. The two other people at this meeting in chairs were instantly offended by this suggestion, espcially a para woman I work with. She said that it made people with disabilities seem like a big joke or the people participating would think it was a joke. She said it would be like wearing blackface to see what it's like being black. I myself didn't have a problem with the idea. I've been on this campus as both a student and employee and other students have never disresepcted me for being in a chair, or even treated me that differently to be honest. What do you guys think, would it be offensive? The two other wheelers in the office are both at least 20 years older than me, could this be the difference?

Hi ER,
I have learned that in this life you will offend someone even if you do nothing. I say your idea of letting someone know how difficult it can be to get around campus in a wheelchair is a good idea. Even have a race between a disabled person in a chair and an ab in a chair. Perhaps up and down a few ramps, into a toilet cubicle to pick something up and wash their hands and to pick up a glass of water or something from the cafeteria and take it to a table on a tray. I would draw the line at someone faking it in a chair with black face on though but don't let those old fogeys tell you you are wrong.
Good luck.

[bantughost]

Hi,
I hope I’m not too late? Yep, tone and presentation I agree. The mood and context of the event is the key here. Try and look up eco-access at www.eco-access.org/areas.asp .Wheelchairs, blind folds, ear plugs etc these guys use them all at their work shops and school camps to promote interaction between school children with disabilities and AB kids as a way of increasing awareness for persons with disabilities accessibility concerns. In my opinion such interactive activities would be very effective for the sort of event you are planning on holding, especially as far as reaching young people and community policy makers is concerned. Just maybe we’ll soon be living in a totally disabled persons friendly environment… just a thought. Good luck with your project.
ecoaccess

[Travelling Blackbird]

eleanorigby, on Sep 15 2008, 10:55 PM, said:

Thanks for the replies everyone, I brought up all your suggestons to the event committee. As for the wheelchair tour, I appreciate your replies there as well. If we do it, however, I don't think I would want to use one of those hospital folding chairs. They are not designed for real use, only for people to be pushed around in. I don't want people to come away from that experience thinking about how hard and horrible it is to be in a wheelchair, I just want people to be more conscientious.

Be sure and let us know how it all goes.

zx10, on Sep 16 2008, 03:34 PM, said:

When i first became a paraplegic my wife and teenage daughters all tried going outside in my wheelchair along pavements,wheelies,pressure lifts etc and were shocked how difficult it was and how much my life had changed and i was proud of for doing this knowing it came out of love and respect not because it was a joke and seemed like fun.My brother even tried to eat lying down as i had to do in my early days in hospital because he could not understand how i managed it,result he nearly chocked to death which at the time i must admit amused me.
There are always going to be a few sceptics and disrespectful people in life but don't let this stop you press on its a good idea and i hope all goes well for you
best wishes
john

My brother, partner and several of my friends did the same sorts of things. They wanted to know, and I wanted them to know. I actually got a bit upset to see my brother in the chair - he was the first person to try - because it hit me that it could have been him instead or as well as me. However, I think it was a good idea for all concerned. We all learned something.