Ok, so do to a misunderstanding in scheduling, I missed the in class activity with being in a disabled persons shoes. I did however try it at home with my own children which they thought was oh so funny to make it as hard on me as they could. "It has to be real to you mom", an excuse but one I took for the learning experience. We stayed in the house and went outside with the blindfold. It was much easier in the house because of familiar items, but outside was scarier because of the unknown. Being deaf was also a struggle because trying to read lips is hard to do and trying to read with someone who talks fast is almost impossible. There was a lot of being laughed at and hand gestures but it was frustrating and a little belittling.
Here is a website I found with simple modifications that can be made in the classroom to help visually impaired students.
http://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/accommodations.html
Some are are easy as just vocalizing assignments or giving more time on tests. Making accommodations for students with special needs is not hard and just takes a little more effort to help that student succeed.
First of all, whats belittling? i think thats an amazing way you had experienced what its like to be deaf and blind.
ReplyDeleteI can completely relate to your experience with hearing impairment, I couldn't hear anything really and I couldn't tell what was being said to me at all, especially when someone was speaking quickly or in another language, it was very lonely. I also found similar classroom accommodations for the visually impaired, it's simple and it doesn't take much extra effort, one idea for those with hearing impairment that I found was to simply write out instructions for everyone and to use pictures as well to facilitate communication between everyone.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, Natasha, belittling means to cause someone to feel small and insignificant, or make fun of them in an unkind manner. :)
I cant believe you went outside with a blindfold. that is so scary and i was scared in a classroom but outside i'd be done for. Im sorry you were put through that. I find your website very Resourceful, i found lots of tools and and information and gives great ideas to use in a classroom. Thank you for sharing this :)
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