Learning+Log+9


 * Learning Log #9: 4/29/09**

"Definitions of accessibility are culturally based". This quote from the article Overcoming Barriers says so much about how we view persons with disabilities, or more globally, people who are different from us. Our ability (or lack of ability) to see beyond the physical often clouds our ability and opportunity to learn about the person. How often have we said "Once I got to know him (her)...".? Too often we focus on the obvious and don't take the time to get beyond the obvious and different. Who loses out? We do.

At a much younger time in my life, I had the opportunity to work in a group home with mentally challenged men. It was, initially, scary. Some had Down's Syndrome, one had epilepsy, two were brothers who were (it was said) born with average intelligence, but become cognitively impaired due to poor parenting and poor living conditions. Though the work was hard and sometimes frustrating, I carry wonderful memories and often lapse into "Thomas-isms" when things become perplexing for me.

I am not sure what I may have contributed positively to their lives, but they made huge positive contributions to mine. As a result of my experiences with those men, I often tell people that there are three things everyone should do at some time in their life. They should wait table at a restaurant to know that often service delays are not the servers fault. That they should work retail at Christmas, especially the day after Christmas, to learn patience and quiet waiting. Also to learn tactful complaining. Finally, I tell folks they should spend time with people who are differently abled from themselves. What I say is that they will typically find that the other person has far more in common with them than not in common. Its proved true for me for my adult life.

Finally, reading the webinar about open source software was so,,, well,,, eye-opening. I had not idea that so many different kinds of software existed and that the capabilities are so varied. This is something I will definitely share with my tech partner at school. Too often, he does the fun sharing. This time, it is my turn!