Ottawa students simulate disabilities in classroom

Mar. 1—OTTAWA — March is recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the United States. Ottawa Elementary held "Mission Kind," giving students an opportunity experience some of the conditions which limit functions of persons with disabilities. Kind is an acronym for Kids Impacted by Needs and Differences.

Trisha Klausing, organizer of the event, said,"It is trying to have a bit more sympathy for kids that have different learning styles."

There were six different stations in which students in grades 5-8 were challenged with tasks: vision impairment, autism, mental health, physical impairment and communication and hearing impairment. Classes rotated through the stations experiencing only 15 minutes of life with a disability.

At the vision station students were given goggles to wear which impaired their vision and a water bottle. With help from a classmate, the students had to maneuver out of the classroom to the water fountain in the hallway and fill a water bottle. Then the visually impaired students had to get back to the classroom.

At the communication and hearing station, one of the tasks was to manipulate a computer using only your eyes. The students had to concentrate on keys on the computer screen to play a musical note.

Mission Kind was an opportunity to raise awareness about developmental disabilities, promote inclusion and acceptance of people with disabilities.

Reach Dean Brown at 567-244-0409

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