Thanks Kathryn
Good point about duration of simulations exercises
May I ask a few questions please?
How can you be sure the students do follow your guidelines?
What are your educational aims?
What do local disabled people think of the excercise?
Is the experience evaluated?
I note the experience of a type of hearing loss. Of course there are
commercially produced goggle to simulate tunnel vision, hemi-anopia
and other visual impairments.
I still feel the dangers BUt would like to focus on aims, objectives
and are they achieved.
Kind regards, Im glad this has an airing
In a message dated 02/22/2000 3:26:21 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< Putting a scarf over one's eyes, or climbing in a wheelchair for 30
minutes
(etc.) is little more than voyeurism or a Disney Land 'ride'. >> ...I
have used simulations in my class...I am a person with multiple
disabilities and I believe that simulations when well presented are
very enlightening...Harris Communications puts out a tape that
demonstrates (simulates) the disability inherent in those with nerve
damage types of hearing loss...plainly showing why shouting is
ineffective when communicating with a person with this type of loss
(speech sounds garbled and shouting only amplifies this gibberish)...I
have used this tape to explain to my family why screaming at me makes
me angry...they have not raised their voices at me since then...
Simulations of a 30 minute duration are indeed "Disney rides"...my
simulations are sturctured in such a way that the duration is a 24
hour experiential event sometimes requiring 2 participants...they are
required to keep a log and to write a paper with an outline I have
given them...they are required to go out in the world not sit at
home...thoses without access to wheelchairs take a tape measure to see
if the doors or bathroom stalls are accessable...if not then they have
to find another one that is...they find that even when parking in
handicaped parking places that the elevators and/or ramps (especially
in older buildings) are often quite a distance from the place they are
scheduled to arrive (eg class or work)...it takes quite a bit of
effort to get to point A to point B...my Alzheimer's simulation is a
24-48 hour experence from the perspective of both the caregiver and
the patient...I could continue but I believe you understand the gist
of this post...that simulations need not be exploitive or clowish
events but when thoughfully structured with care and understanding can
be a very valuable educational experience...Kathryn
Philip Scullion
Senior Lecturer
Nursing and Midwifery
School of Health and Social Sciences
Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry, CV1 5FB
Tel 024 76887969 Direct
or 024 76887928 Reception
FAX 024 76887910
email: [log in to unmask]
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