'The Eye-Opening Experience of Learning the module Working with Persons with Disabilities and Its Impact on myself'
-08190208
1. Have you ever had an experience communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing?
Learning sign language:
Well well, historically, people with disabilities in our country faced social stigma and discrimination, with limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. They were often excluded from mainstream society and their needs were often overlooked. Luckily I came to know that now progress has been made in recent years to address those issues, there is still much work to be done.Studying this module has been a valuable experience for me particularly. Before taking this course, I never knew how much people living with disabilities struggle to communicate with others. But after learning about the various disabilities, especially hearing impairment, I was motivated to learn sign language. Now, I feel proud myself to be able to learn communicate with people living with deafness and other forms of hearing impairment.
In Bhutan, there are many people who have hearing impairment. They are often excluded from society because of communication barriers. However, I have learned that with sign language, we can break these barriers and provide a more inclusive environment for everyone. Moreover as a future social worker, I felt that it is my responsibility to advocate for the rights of people living with disabilities and assist them in overcoming these communication barriers. I have seen the impact of sign language in my own self. After learning it it gives me positive vibe because in my community, we have few people with deafness, and sign language is not commonly used, it is not taught in our schools, and most people are not aware of its importance and I am included in that group. However, by learning sign language from my friends who did their internship in DPO, I have been able to communicate with some deaf people in Samtse hospital and in town areas, and I have seen how happy they fe to be understood and included in conversations. I believe that every person with a disability should have the same opportunities to communicate and participate in society.
I felt the importance of inclusive communication and it has given me an opportunity to learn sign language. I am excited to use this skill to help people living with disabilities in Bhutan. I am confident that with my newly found knowledge and skills, I will be able to collaborate with other social workers and contribute towards a more inclusive society.
2. Exploring the Intersection of Disability and Religion: Understanding Diverse Perspectives.
Religious perspectives and meta moment:
Learning perspectives of disability from different religions around the world is an interesting and thought provoking topic for me. The interpretation of disability can vary greatly based on cultural and religious beliefs. In our Buddhist beliefs, disability is often viewed as a karmic condition meaning that the individual’s disability is a result of their past actions. After knowing that I felt that this belief can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding towards individuals with disabilities, as it can be seen as their fault or a punishment for past actions.
It is important to recognize that disability is not a punishment or a result of past actions. It is a natural part of human diversity, and individuals with disabilities deserve the same respect and equal treatment as anyone else. By understanding and respecting the perspectives of different religions and cultures, we can become more inclusive and empathetic towards individuals with disabilities and work towards creating a more accessible and inclusive society.
Moreover the use of Meta moment by the tutor after every session in this module has helped me reflect on what I have learned and recollect my thoughts, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the session.
3. Understood the Importance of Careful Word Use in Interactions with Disabled Individuals.
Word use:
I learned how important it is to use language that is respectful and inclusive of people with disabilities. Before this, I used to use the words "disability," "impairment," and "handicap" carelessly without fully understanding their meanings. Now, I understand that the word "disability" refers to a physical or mental condition that limits a person's ability to perform certain activities, while "impairment" refers to a loss or reduction in a person's physical, sensory, or mental function. "Handicap," on the other hand, refers to a disadvantage imposed by society on people with disabilities due to their impairments.
In our Bhutanese culture, people with disabilities have often been stigmatized and excluded from society. However, through this module, I learned that it is important to assess people with disabilities holistically, considering their strengths and abilities rather than just their impairments. For example, instead of only focusing on a person's physical limitations, we should consider their communication skills, creativity, and other talents that they have.
This module has helped me to be more empathetic and understanding towards people with disabilities and to use language that is more respectful and inclusive. I believe that this understanding will help me to be a better communicator and to build more meaningful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds in future
4. Breaking Barriers: Using Social Media to Advocate for Disability Rights and Inclusion.
Made video for awareness or advocacy on autism:
If I reflect on the time we spent making an awareness program on autism with my group, I can say that it was a truly enriching experience. As someone who loves to film and edit videos, I was excited to learn new online tools and techniques to create a short yet impactful awareness video. The process of composing lyrics for the person living with autism and creating a heart-touching short music video was a unique and rewarding experience for all of us in the group.
Throughout the process, I realized that the media plays a significant role in creating awareness about disabilities and promoting inclusion in society. As a social worker, I feel empowered by the possibility of using media to amplify the voices of those who are often marginalized and overlooked.
The positive feedback we received from our friends and tutors was incredibly encouraging, and it motivated our group to aim for even greater impact. Overall, this experience has taught me the power of collaboration, creativity, and empathy in creating meaningful change. I look forward to applying these lessons in my future endeavors as a social worker and advocate for disability rights.
This link will take you to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@yallazam250
5. Shifting my Perspectives, Realized Presence of Hidden Disabilities in Every Individual NOW!
Talented or gifted learners?
Throughout the sessions, I have learned a lot about different disabilities and how they affect individuals. However, what really surprised me was when I discovered that talented or gifted learners are also considered as disabilities. This moment was an eye opener for me as I had never thought of it until now. It made me realize that there are different ways of looking at disabilities, and it is essential to be more inclusive in our approach towards them.
During the jigsaw activity, I learned about various learning disabilities. It was fascinating to see how each group had a different set of disabilities to present. Through this activity, I understood the importance of awareness and knowledge about different learning disabilities.
Out of the nine models presented in the module, I found the right-based model to be the most suitable for applying in our Bhutanese society. This model emphasizes the rights of individuals with disabilities, which aligns well with Bhutan's values of equality and justice.
If we look at the education system in our country, the right based model can be applied by ensuring that all students, children, youth and every person with disabilities have equal access to education. This could involve providing assistive devices, special education teachers, and necessary accommodations. Additionally, the government could ensure that public spaces, transportation, and buildings are accessible for individuals with disabilities. Overall, learning all this has provided me with valuable insights into disabilities and how we can better support individuals with disabilities.
6. Evolution of Special Education in Bhutan and Its Crucial Role in Inclusive Education
SEN Education:
I felt and learned the importance of inclusion and how it starts at the school level. In our country, inclusive education is a growing concern and there is a need to address the special education needs of students with disabilities. One of the major concerns in Bhutan is learning disabilities. These students require special attention, and it is essential to recognize the challenges that they face in order to provide them with the necessary support.
One of the most effective interventions I had sensed is to provide special education and training to teachers in more numbers. I think this will enable them to identify students with learning disabilities early and provide appropriate support. It is also important to create a supportive and inclusive environment in schools, where students with disabilities feel welcome and accepted. In Bhutan there are several initiatives that aim to promote inclusive education. For example, the Ministry of Education has launched a program to provide training to teachers on inclusive education. Additionally, the Bhutan Foundation has partnered with local organizations to establish resource centers for students with disabilities.
I felt that this module has reinforced my understanding of the importance of inclusive education and the need to provide special education support to students with disabilities. In Bhutan, there are several initiatives underway to promote inclusive education, and it is important to continue to support these efforts to ensure that every student receives the education they deserve and we must support that.
7. Opening our Conversation, The Importance of Professional Dialogue in Promoting Inclusiveness for Persons with Disabilities
PD group work:
Working in a big group for the professional dialogue session was a great learning experience for me. As this was my first time working on a different group activity, I learned a lot about the challenges and opportunities that come with it.
One of the most important lessons I learned from working in a group was the significance of effective communication. As we were discussing sensitive issues related to disability and inclusiveness, we had to ensure that every member of the group was heard and respected. Through careful listening and clear articulation of our thoughts, we were able to create a safe and inclusive space for everyone to share their experiences and perspectives.
Another important lesson I learned was the value of teamwork. Working in a group allowed us to leverage our individual strengths and expertise to achieve a common goal. By collaborating and supporting each other we were able to create a more inclusive dialogue, and come up with creative solutions to the challenges we faced.
This experience taught me resilience in the face of challenges. Despite having different viewpoints and perspectives, we were able to stay focused and work towards our shared goals. We were able to learn from each other and create a more inclusive environment.
In Bhutan the concept of "Gross National Happiness" emphasizes the importance of collective well-being and harmony. Working in a group for inclusive development aligns with this philosophy as it promotes collaboration and mutual respect. Through our work, I am positive that we can create a more inclusive society that values diversity and promotes well-being for all.
Comments
Post a Comment