Since our rehabilitation promoters are on break for the next several weeks, I thought it might be fun to share some of the things they learn and experience in a rehabilitation promoter class. Today’s sample is an activity we do to get an understanding of our students’ experiences and perceptions of people with disabilities. What would your response be to the following? 

Part 1 – Do you know anyone who has a disability or has suffered from a disability? If yes, please answer these questions. If no, skip to questions below.* 

 1. Describe the disability the person suffered and your relationship to the person.  

 2. What do you know about what he/she experienced in discovering his/her disability? What has this person experienced in learning to live with the disability?

 3. How did you feel about the person?  If he/she were not born this way, what were your thoughts and feelings after the disability? Please explain.

 4.  How was this person treated by others? Their family? Local store owners? The church? Others? 

 5.  What interactions did you have with this person? How were the interactions?  Were they similar or different from interactions with others in your community or with the person before he/she was disabled?  Please explain.

 6.  What were some of their biggest struggles and frustrations experienced by the person with a disability?  

*If no, please answer the questions below:

1.  If you see someone with a disability, how do you feel?  What thoughts, feelings, emotions come to your mind? (If you haven’t seen someone with a disability, why is that?)

 2.  What can someone with a disability do?  Not do?

PART 2 – Everyone, please also answer the following questions:

1.  What has your culture told you about people with disabilities?  

            A. What causes disability?

            B. How should those with disabilities be treated?

            C. What can they do? Not do?

2. What do different religions in your culture teach about people with disabilities?

3. If you attend a church, are there people with disabilities in your church?  

If Yes,

            A.  In what way do they participate as a member of the church?  

If No,

            B.  Is there a reason they do not attend?  

4.  How should we respond to people with disabilities?  How does this compare to what you see in your community/culture? 

5. Describe the opportunities people with and without disabilities have in your area.