Disability Simulations: Flip the Script to Teach the Truth

[jesse_the_k]

The Deaf Strong Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center flips the script on disability simulations:

begin quote In this role-playing exercise, the medical students become "patients" who seek medical attention from "doctors", who are members of the local Deaf Community. Overcoming and understanding communication challenges are the main objectives of this exercise. Additionally, the medical students learn that culturally Deaf people do not view themselves as "disabled". quote ends

The Centers for Disease Control discuss the program in detail.

The key here is creating a world where the nondisabled person's capacities are rendered irrelevant. Present all printed material printed upside down in low-contrast inks and the best reader will perform as well as many kids with reading impairments. Show a movie where everyone has to bring their own chair and the door is 5 ft tall. Doesn't matter how lively and long someone can walk, they'll be as uncomfortable as a wheelchair user in an inaccessible environment.

Comments

[staranise]

Ooh, I LIKE that.

[sonia]

Very cool! I like inverting the power dynamics.

[davidgillon]

I like this. I'm not a fan of isability simulations in general as they teach fear rather than understanding, but this subverts the issue by making lack of disability the problem.

[emceeaich]

Cool hack!