25-45 mimutes
Ic1: Students will draw conclusions about their ability to work with people who are different from themselves.
IVc5: Students will understant that it is inappropriate for sex role stereotypes, bias and discrimination to limit choices, opportunities and achievement of goals.
Various disabilities are enacted by students who keep journals about how the experience felt.
Video called, "How Difficult Can This Be?" from F.A.T. City program available from the Indiana Literacy & Technical Education Resource Center (1-800-233-4572), reference number LC/4704/H69/1989. Also, blindfolds, crutches, earplugs, wheelchair and student journals.
Discuss with group different types of disabilities with which they are familiar. Expand the list to include disabilities they have observed in the workplace or have heard of through their families.
Show the video "How Difficult Can This Be?" if available. Discuss.
Write the names of various disabilities on slips of paper and have students draw them out of a sack. Students are to stay with or in their disability role for as long as they can (may be a class period, or a 24-hour period that includes a school dance or game). Distribute props and give time for students to plan and set up their support systems.
Have students note in journals what happens, how they feel during the process and what they think caused these feelings. Tell students that if they get frustrated and cannot stay with the role for 24 hours, tell them to drop the role but note the time, situation and accumulated feelings.
In small groups, have students discuss their findings and the implications they would have in the workplace.
Students could further produce a joint report of their findings and evaluate the significance and implications for the workplace. This report could be sent to area employers or printed in the local paper.
Students could write a conclusion in their journal about their ability to work with people different than themselves.