Respecting people with special needs

By Ricky Talmon

June, 2010

Introduction

In this lesson, we will focus on the challenges

facing disabled people.

Their hopes, dreams and fears are just the

same as every other person. They, too, are

entitled to fulfilling and enjoyable lives.

Sometimes, all we see in disabled people is

what they cannot do.

It is important to remember that every

person is unique and deserving of

opportunities to grow and develop his or her

strengths.

The Task

The purpose of this task is to expose you, the

pupils, to the world of disabled people.

First: You will have the chance to have your

own experience as a disabled person, watch a

movie, and share your feelings and emotions

in terms of the topic.

Second, you will be required to make your

own web research about famous disabled

people, who overcame their disabilities and

had built a career to be proud of.

The Process

1st step:Sit in pairs.

Use a handkerchief.

Have your partner blindfold you.

Click on this link

Describe what you see to your

blindfolded friend.

2st step:

To the blindfolded:

Try to stay blindfolded for 5 minutes.

Share with your partner:

• How did you feel being blindfolded?

• What did you miss the most?

:3rd stepTeam up in groups (5 participants to each

group).

Watch a video of Adam Bender who is 8 years

old and plays baseball with only one leg. Click

the film clipart to watch the film:

4th step:Discuss in groups:

What are the qualifications that made Adam

Bender succeed?

Try to think what Adam Bender will tell other

disabled kids?

What would you do if for some reason you were

suddenly disabled?

How do you think your life would be different?

:5th stepA task in pairs:

Make a search in the internet for:

Famous people with disabilities

(Web sources are attached on the last slide.)

Choose 2 of them that touched you mostly.

Write the story of each, relate to these questions:

What are his/her disabilities?

How did he make his disability advantage?

Mini Project

Back to your groups:

Your project is to design a poster to help

improve attitudes toward children with

disabilities.

Internet search: Look for a special citation of

one disabled person and use it in your poster.

The posters will be displayed in classroom and

presented in the school hall.

Evaluation

Check list for the student

Rubric for pupil assessment

(The file will be linked to the pupils on the

net)

You can address me throughout your work, if you need any assistance or

guidance.

All the members of each team will be graded the same

Conclusion

In this assignment we were exposed to the world of disabled people.

We experienced how it is to be blindfolded for example in order to be in their shoes.

We became aware to the fact that disabled people are just like us with dreams, wishes and abilities to fulfill their wishes.

Resources and Web usage

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_0060.

shtml

http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/kidsweb/fpwdinfo.html

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en

http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/2008/05/31/

http://www.red-disability.org/famous/DisFamous.htm