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Workplace Programs: Program Content

The Institute’s award-winning programs combine informative presentations, interactive activities, and a modular framework for maximum flexibility.

Participants gain knowledge, understanding and skills to work effectively with people with disabilities.

"It isn't just about the person with a wheelchair or a white cane. I never realized how many people around me have 'hidden' disabilities."

Workshop Participant

Content
Each program module provides targeted information and experiential learning activities for one disability topic. A General Disability Awareness Program is also available.

Current modules:

  • Blindness and Visual Impairment
  • Chronic Medical Conditions of Asthma, Diabetes and Epilepsy
  • Deafness and Hard of Hearing
  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Physical Disabilities

Modules under development:

  • Autism
  • Life-Threatening Allergies
  • Mental Health Conditions

Workshop participants are introduced to common types of adaptive equipment such as Braille readers, TDD machines, and prosthetic devices. Workshop participants are introduced to common types of adaptive equipment such as Braille readers, TDD machines, and prosthetic devices.

Most important, the combination of information and activities helps to create understanding and respect for those who use different strategies to accomplish tasks.

Format
The 3-part workshop format is designed to provide information, experience, and personal contact with someone who has a disability.

  • Information
    The lead facilitator presents an introduction to the topic.
  • Experience
    Participants engage in interactive activities designed to generate new thinking about “ability” and “disability.” The activities suggest the challenges of the disability, and introduce adaptive strategies. Small groups rotate among activity stations, where skilled facilitators guide each experience.
  • Speaker
    A speaker who lives with the disability addresses the group about his or her experiences, and answers questions.

Facilitators
Our skilled facilitators undergo training based on more than 25 years of experience in disability awareness education. Many of them have been leading disability awareness workshops for over a decade, and have extensive experience training others to do so.