Student Project - Raising Awareness
Hi my name is Marie, I'm new to this forum, so hello 
I'm a student doing a design course in London. I am interested in doing a project on how to raise awareness for people with disabilities. I am currently looking into an interactive installation where non wheelchair users can experience the feelings and thoughts that wheel chair users may have.
I was wondering if anyone who uses a wheelchair would be willing to answer a few of my questions and just have a chat? I understand that talking to a stranger about personal feelings can be hard, but i'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!! x
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Hi Marie! Welcome to the forum.
I'm not a wheelchair user myself, but have worked with a charity that works with disabled musicians. They're a lovely bunch, and since they're based in London they may be a good place for you get get in touch with for research.
http://www.drakemusicproject.org/
Tell them Jon, their web guy, put you in touch.
Jon
Jon Gibbins, dotjay.co.uk, accessibility.co.uk wiki.
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Hi Jon,
Thank you for your help, I will deffinately check them out.
All the best for the new year.
Marie
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Hi Marie,
I recently retired as a teacher (Design and Tech) and worked with Special Needs. During my "run-down" to retirement, I was given the job of surveying the school for the Disability Equality Duty for the school. All users of public buildings should have done this recently, so it should be possible to ask any manager for a copy. If they haven't, they should have done. It is worth noting that the definition for disability has recently changed and now includes any condition which has required a continuing use of medication or treatment for a period of over 12 months! It is far more than just the conventional wheelchair user!
Quote from government website:-
"The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
The definition
For the purposes of the Act:
* substantial means neither minor nor trivial
* long term means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least 12 months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions)
* normal day-to-day activities include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping
* a normal day-to-day activity must affect one of the 'capacities' listed in the Act which include mobility, manual dexterity, speech, hearing, seeing and memory"
Mike
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| marie.t wrote: |
| Hi my name is Marie, I'm new to this forum, so hello
I'm a student doing a design course in London. I am interested in doing a project on how to raise awareness for people with disabilities. I am currently looking into an interactive installation where non wheelchair users can experience the feelings and thoughts that wheel chair users may have. I was wondering if anyone who uses a wheelchair would be willing to answer a few of my questions and just have a chat? I understand that talking to a stranger about personal feelings can be hard, but i'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!! x |
Hi Marie:
How is your project going? As a non-wheelchair user, it would be very interesting (and probably effective) to experience what wheelchair users (or any disability) go through.
Personally, I've never "learned" much until I experienced something.
Do you have a site up documenting your project? I would love to "experience" your project.
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Hi Marie,
I would be interested to learn what you found the biggest frustration were of your interviewees!
Thanks, please let us know!
Mobility And Accessibility For Everyone! http://mobilescooter.org
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