Breadcrumb Trail
Session C: Two 45 Minute Presentations
- Date and Time
- Wednesday, April 23, 8:45 AM to 10:15 AM
- Presenters
-
- Description
- "Learning Disabilities: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow - Finding One's Way in a Post-secondary World." Presented by Katrina Buchanan, M.A., Learning Consultant, Muskingum College, and Carol Ann Smith, B.S., Learning Consultant, Muskingum College.
Currently, more and more students with learning disabilities are choosing to further their educational experience at the post-secondary level. This next step in the students' and parents' lives does not need to be one of trepidation. The right information can help ensure a smooth transition to a post-secondary option.
Many times historical perspectives need to be reviewed to understand, assess and project the future of any significant occurrence. Learning disabilities are not any different. Using past points of reference to look back may be required before thinking ahead.
The focus of this presentation will be an historical approach to learning disabilities, how students/parents can assess services at the post-secondary level, what are the ADA legally mandated services, and how comprehensive support service programs at the post-secondary level can assist the student's collegiate success. The importance of inclusive of the student in the middle school and high school years within the regular curriculum, while not always reflective in a grade success, is a must for those seeking post-secondary education. Additionally, a discussion of selected learning disabilities and the strategies that need to be ingrained in the student to create one who is empowered in the educational system at the post-secondary level will be addressed. Lastly, the presentation will look ahead at the field of post-secondary education. Where is it now, where is it going, and what does the future hold from an educator's perspective in light of the Supreme Court decision of October 10, 2007.
The objectives of this session are:
- To emphasize the importance of inclusion for students in middle school and high school for a student's success at the post-secondary level;
- To understand and advocate for access to the services available at the post-secondary level;
- To demonstrate the benefits/strategies of a comprehensive support program for students with specific learning disabilities seeking a post-secondary option.
"Current Application of Independent Living & Deinstitutionalization Ideals: Interactions between People with Disabilities and Their Support Providers." Presented by: Christine Kelly, PhD Candidate in Canadian Studies, Carleton University.
Looking back on the development of the Disability Movement in North America, both Independent Living Philosophy and deinstitutionalization have played integral roles in shaping the politics of the movement. This presentation will review the current application of these core values as demonstrated through support provision relationships in two specific organizations.Support provision is a personal and important element of daily life for many people with disabilities. Across academic disciplines, there are a number of different theoretical approaches to support provision which debate how assistants and consumers should relate. The presentation will begin with a brief review of the key approaches to support provision including Independent Living, holistic nursing, feminist ethic of care, and the L'Arche model.
The second part of the presentation will focus on research findings from a small study which took place in winter 2007. The study examines the ways in which Independent Living Philosophy and general principles of deinstitutionalization shape interactions between people with disabilities and support providers at two organizations: a L'Arche community for people with intellectual disabilities and a Independent Living Resource Centre. The research was conducted in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, a city which is often cited as the birthplace of the Canadian Disability Movement. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and a focus group. The participants were also asked to respond to scenarios to give a more fully rounded depiction of their understanding and application of Independent Living philosophy and deinstitutionalization, as embodied in L'Arche philosophy. Participants included administrators at each location, people with disabilities using the services, and support providers.
The project is framed with the social model of disability and the work of Titchkosky (2003). The findings demonstrate that both organizations have strongly articulated philosophies that the participants are familiar with. The L'Arche model in Winnipeg creates an environment that determines certain ways of interacting. In general, L'Arche as an organization has branched off from deinstitutionalization significantly enough to represent a unique approach to support provision which was largely unchallenged by the Winnipeg participants. The Independent Living participants on the other hand, amend the philosophy on a more individual basis to reflect the daily reality of support provision.
The presentation will conclude with speculations on what the evolution of these values could mean for the larger Disability Movement today and in the future.