Western Courier

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Katie O'Rourke Rachel Borsellino, junior services management major, and Brendon Royalty, sophomore special education major, attempt to complete a puzzle by viewing the pieces only through a mirror.

Media Credit: Katie O'Rourke Eboney Chambers and Ryan Cooney, both sophomore special education majors, wear sunglasses with one eye blacked out and large felt gloves (to simulate sight impairment) while completing tasks.

Nac uoy daer siht ecnetnes? This is what a person with dyslexia might see every time they try and read something. Dyslexia was one of the many disabilities covered during Disability Awareness Day.

Activities for DAD were held Thursday in the Western Illinois University Union Grand Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students for Disability Awareness and Disability Support Services organized the event.

"We have many different simulations set up with the help of the (recreation, park and tourism administration) department from learning, visual, physical disabilities, etc.," said SDA President Gregory Sheil.

One station, called "Scratch That," had participants put on a pair of scratched goggles to simulate a visual impairment. They then had to write their names on a scantron sheet and bubble in the letters with the goggles on. The station also contained information about Braille.

The ADHD and ADD station had participants watch an object that spun and had many colored lights while repeating the line "red leather, yellow leather."

Volunteers who controlled the table would then lay down cards for people to memorize - which included pictures of kids doing things such as surfing and spinning plates - while they continued to watch the lights and repeat the same line. The volunteers would also blow into noisemakers while partakers tried to memorize the cards. After about a minute, participant were asked questions about the cards they had to memorize.

Volunteers who manned the tables also answered questions and provided information on the disability the station simulated.

Other stations had information on arthritis, alcoholism, lip-reading, hearing impairment and obesity, among others.

"Participants will not walk away from DAD knowing what it is like to have a disability," said DSS Director Tara Miller. "However, we hope to give them some idea of what obstacles might be encountered by individuals with various conditions."

Sheil said DAD is an important day because participants receive a better understanding of different disabilities people live with every day.

"You never really realize every student and faculty member on this campus is affected by this cause from possibly having a disability, knowing someone who is disabled or even interacting with someone who is disabled," he added.

Miller said she agreed.

"The event encourages acceptance, and that acceptance enhances personal experiences, thereby broadening perspectives," she said. "DAD promotes personal growth and encourages social responsibility - two of the university's core values."

Laura Hofer and Kelly Dooley, both junior special education majors, attended the event and took part in many simulations.

"I think it's an eye-opener," Hofer said. "And it will better prepare us for our major."

"I never knew how hard (having a disability) was," Dooley added.

Dooley said the lip-reading simulation was memorable, while Hofer said learning about Braille was what stuck out to her.

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