Presentation by Marie Brennan at the CU meeting on November 13, 2003
Fun fact: Can exaggerating your pronunciation of words help a hearing-impaired person understand you? (See answer at end.)
As described by Marie Brennan, River Falls Access Ability Center (RFAAC) is an all-volunteer organization that works to increase independence among people with disabilities so that they can lead a more normal life.
She described four areas of services provided by RFAAC:
Brennan said that there are emotional, cognitive and physical disabilities, which people may be born with or may develop later in life. "All of us have disabilities," she said. "We can't all do everything. I'm basketball-disabled! Any time you feel like you don't quite fit in, you have a little idea of what it's like to be in the chronic situation of something not quite right, of constantly asking 'How am I going to handle this?'"
Brennan's daughter Katrina, who also attended the presentation, has autism, which is typical of many disabilities in that people don't know the cause, but must figure out how to coordinate life around the condition. Brennan also described Down Syndrome, where people can often be mainstreamed in the regular school system, though not in competitive sports. Her son and daughter with Down Syndrome both work part-time and, though they are able to walk downtown and do many things independently, their main problem is finding enough to do with their time. Brennan did say that they need a lot of help with managing money and making medical decisions, as well as judging when somebody might be taking advantage of their innocent nature.
Prejudice against physically disabled people
Cerebral palsy affects another of Brennan's sons. He has a full-time job but faces the difficulty of medical coverage for a congenital heart defect. She said that there is prejudice against physically disabled people because they are often mistaken as being mentally retarded. She described the difficulties of the hearing-impaired, noting that shouting and using exaggerated pronunciation often makes it more difficult for people who have hearing aids or who lip-read to understand. Brennan also recommended learning some "wheelchair etiquette," such as asking first if help is needed and leaning over to talk to the person at eye level.
Brennan also mentioned that agencies such as Blue River Services can be very helpful, especially in "futures planning - what is your dream for yourself and your advocates?" She characterized RFAAC as putting more emphasis on having disabled people doing things out in the community, rather than in sheltered workshops.
RFAAC, which serves southern Indiana (Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson and Scott counties) is located at 845 Park Place in New Albany and can be reached by phone at 812 949-4717 or by e-mail at rfaac@rfaac.org.
Fun fact answer: No. Hearing-impaired people who lip-read have learned regular speech and so are not used to exaggerated pronunciation. It is important for you not to turn your head away or obscure your mouth when you talk. Remember that even the best lip-reader probably misses 25% of what is said. If your hearing-impaired friend knows sign language, why not learn it yourself and communicate that way?
Fun fact: Can exaggerating your pronunciation of words help a hearing-impaired person understand you? (See answer at end.)
As described by Marie Brennan, River Falls Access Ability Center (RFAAC) is an all-volunteer organization that works to increase independence among people with disabilities so that they can lead a more normal life.
She described four areas of services provided by RFAAC:
- Advocacy - help in areas of schools, employment and housing
- Peer counseling - persons who are successfully living with disabilities are teamed with people who are newly diagnosed
- Independent living skills training - teaching skills for employment, apartment living, etc.
- Information and referral - answering questions on subjects such as employment possibilities, how to build ramps, etc.
Brennan said that there are emotional, cognitive and physical disabilities, which people may be born with or may develop later in life. "All of us have disabilities," she said. "We can't all do everything. I'm basketball-disabled! Any time you feel like you don't quite fit in, you have a little idea of what it's like to be in the chronic situation of something not quite right, of constantly asking 'How am I going to handle this?'"
Brennan's daughter Katrina, who also attended the presentation, has autism, which is typical of many disabilities in that people don't know the cause, but must figure out how to coordinate life around the condition. Brennan also described Down Syndrome, where people can often be mainstreamed in the regular school system, though not in competitive sports. Her son and daughter with Down Syndrome both work part-time and, though they are able to walk downtown and do many things independently, their main problem is finding enough to do with their time. Brennan did say that they need a lot of help with managing money and making medical decisions, as well as judging when somebody might be taking advantage of their innocent nature.
Prejudice against physically disabled people
Cerebral palsy affects another of Brennan's sons. He has a full-time job but faces the difficulty of medical coverage for a congenital heart defect. She said that there is prejudice against physically disabled people because they are often mistaken as being mentally retarded. She described the difficulties of the hearing-impaired, noting that shouting and using exaggerated pronunciation often makes it more difficult for people who have hearing aids or who lip-read to understand. Brennan also recommended learning some "wheelchair etiquette," such as asking first if help is needed and leaning over to talk to the person at eye level.
Brennan also mentioned that agencies such as Blue River Services can be very helpful, especially in "futures planning - what is your dream for yourself and your advocates?" She characterized RFAAC as putting more emphasis on having disabled people doing things out in the community, rather than in sheltered workshops.
RFAAC, which serves southern Indiana (Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson and Scott counties) is located at 845 Park Place in New Albany and can be reached by phone at 812 949-4717 or by e-mail at rfaac@rfaac.org.
Fun fact answer: No. Hearing-impaired people who lip-read have learned regular speech and so are not used to exaggerated pronunciation. It is important for you not to turn your head away or obscure your mouth when you talk. Remember that even the best lip-reader probably misses 25% of what is said. If your hearing-impaired friend knows sign language, why not learn it yourself and communicate that way?