About us| About Us |
Our programThe Discovering Disability and Diversity program promotes the discovery and real understanding of key disability areas and promotes diversity, so as to enable all individuals, both adults and children across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs to experience this awareness in their own environment. This program is designed to allow students to experience and explore a wide range of disabilities. Instead of just talking about issues like dyslexia, intellectual impairments, vision impairment, physical disability and autism, and expecting children and adults to understand and empathise, they can participate in activities that simulate what it is like to be blind, hearing impaired, have ASD, or an intellectual impairment or a physical disability. This creates real empthy and understanding and in many cases a change in practice. For children this understanding creates more inclusive classrooms and schools and often lessens bullying. Negative attitudes often exist because of a lack of knowledge. This is true for both children and adults. It also helps develop more collaborative and supportive classsroom environments overall. For teachers, this real understanding and 'walk in the shoes' experience helps them to plan curriculum that supports the students and develop a teaching style that works for really creating inclusive settings. Sharon BoyceThe Discovering DisAbility and Diversity program was designed and developed by Sharon Boyce. Sharon is committed to creating a world where real lived inclusion is possible. She believes by real hands on education and experience and by telling her story and the stories of others that barriers can be broken down and real understanding can be achieved. Her doctoral work is about documenting this process and she is very greatful to all the individuals who are supporting her on this journey. Sharon has created a number of educational resources that support this work. Her children's book 'Discovery at Paradise Island' is one of the only Australian children's story books that deals with disability in the family. She has also rereleased this book in electronic format mp3 and ebook as well to make it as accessible as possible. Her educational resource kit is another first of its kind resource that deals with every topic you can imagine and physical disability. It does this by weaving personal story and picture and DVD together with policy documents and words. Sharon is also releasing her experiential Dyslexia book in April 2012 - so keep an eye out for it. Dr Michael FurtadoDr Michael Furtado works with Sharon in developing, assembling and facilitation the series of learning activities of the Discovering DisAbility and Diversity program The Discovering DisAbility and Diversity program is possible through the generous support of our sponsors. |