Ron.Rothenberg@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Ron Rothenberg) (01/05/90)
Index Number: 6099
[This is from the Advocacy Conference]
>From TOGETHER, January 1990.
"WHAT IF YOU COULDN'T . . . ?"
opens at Children's Museum
On Jan. 19, The Children's Museum opens a new exhibit designed to help
children, parents and teachers gain a better understanding of
disabilities and people with disabilities. "What If You Couldn't . .
.?" will deal with sensitive topics - providing simple information for
children and more detailed information for older visitors.
The exhibit will examine six areas: physical, learning, emotional and
developmental disabilities, and visual and hearing impairments. Each
area begins by describing the disability and its cause in order to dispel
myths that encourage stereotypes.
Children will have a chance to "experience" disabilities, for example, by
maneuvering a wheelchair, trying on leg braces and walking blind-folded
through a maze. Some of the equipment and techniques that help people
with disabilities lead independent lives will be on display - a braille
typewriter, a racing wheelchair and a talking clock. There will also be
a chance to learn American Sign Language.
The exhibit will also ask children to put themselves in the place of
people with disabilities, think about how they would feel and point out
the similarities as well as the differences.
A companion photo exhibit, "My Mommie Drives a Wheelchair: Portrait of a
Family," will focus on parents with disabilities. The aim is changing
attitudes - changes that could mean more informed decisions by policy
makers, social workers and educators who are helping people with
disabilities find personal and social space to live full and productive
lives.
-rsr-
... There is no fate that can not be surmounted by scorn - A. Camus
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460!Ron.Rothenberg
Internet: Ron.Rothenberg@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org