Learning From Persons with Disabilities
More Information and Program Application: http://pdx.edu/sped/mt-hood-kiwanis-camp
Follow this link for a video about this Senior Capstone: http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1643.
Human diversity includes the variety of abilities and disabilities we all experience. In this capstone, students learn how the lives of persons with significant disabilities are similar and different th
an their own. They examine the challenges and needs of persons with disabilities and their families in society. While working as student-counselors in a residential camp located near Mt Hood, they expand their awareness, knowledge, and skills for interacting with and supporting persons with a variety of disabilities. Working in smaller groups and under the supervision of qualified staff, students use teamwork and communication skills to support each other and campers in a range of outdoor recreation activities.
The two-week practicum portion of the course enables students to strengthen their personal and professional development through extensive opportunities to interact with campers, camp staff and other student-counselor trainees.
Course Goals:
- Using one's major field of study and career interests as a base;
- Exploring social, economic, political, and/or cultural aspects of disability;
- Learning how significant disabilities can impact cognitive, social, and physical functioning;
- Learning and apply strategies and skills to communicate with, provide personal assistance to, and include persons with significant disabilities in a group's activities;
- Demonstrating responsibility for the overall physical, educational, and emotional needs of camper-participants;
- Assessing and evaluating the achievement levels and interests of campers;
- Working cooperatively with camp and PSU staff, and with other student-counselors;
- Demonstrating interest, initiative, and reliability in carrying out planned student-counselor activities;
- Developing a positive personal relationship with campers, staff, and other student-counselors;
- Becoming part of a team that works together to provide a positive outdoor experience for campers;
- Demonstrating a willingness to evaluate personal performance and contribute to the success of one's small group and the overall program; and,
- Reflecting what one has learned about oneself, individuals with disabilities, teamwork/group process, and the broader context of disability within society.
Project
Students will develop an understanding of how outdoor programs for a diverse population are successfully executed. In addition, students will also learn communication skills among people with severe disabilities, critical thinking skills, and an understanding of social responsibility.
There are two areas of critical thinking in this capstone. The first is personal reflection about one's skills in working with people. Over the two-week course, students engage in problem solving, try things they have never done before, and are expected to reflect on their actions and the outcomes of those actions. The second area of critical thinking is associated with the issues and decisions community members must make on behalf of our more severely disabled members.
The critical reflection in this Capstone specifically addresses social responsibility to the disabled community and balancing the needs of various groups within the community amidst limited resources. After two weeks at camp, students final assignment is a brief reflection paper. In that paper the student will connect what was learned about persons with disabilities from the websites, the discussions, and the experience of being a counselor.
Students will respond to two of the following three topics in their paper: new awareness, new knowledge about persons with disabilities in society; being an advocate and agent for social change; or describe what you have learned about yourself and others during this experience.
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp is the community partner Capstone students will work with. The two-week Capstone portion of this course enables PSU students to strengthen their personal and...