Module 1 Self Management - I
Session 1 Introduction + Overcoming Disability
Duration 1.5 Hour
‘The only disability in life is bad attitude’ – Scott Hamilton
Learning The session is directed towards making trainees:
Objectives Understand their strengths and limitations
Identify areas where they need help and where they
don’t
How to balance physical dependency and find their
independence
Learn the importance of overcoming disability
Identify ways to overcome disability
Expected An Understanding about disability and ways to overcome it.
Outcomes
Pedagogy The session is to be carried out having more practical
orientation and participation based.
It must include mention activities in the activity head.
The session should also focus on assignment based
activities to be carried out.
Suggested Session Introductory Activity:
Activities Inspirational video is to be shown to trainees and they are
asked to express their views about video.
Materials Power-point Presentation of Introduction & Overcoming
Needed Disability
+
Motivational video about differently abled individuals.
Vocabulary Disability
Overcome
Principle
Session Basic Principles to understand disability.
Components Ways to Overcome disability
Training Content
Principle 1:
One should utilize powerful inner resources instead of limiting thoughts.
How one deals with a disability defines the quality of life, limitations are a
creation of your mind and not your body. Learn to focus on your strength and
not your weakness and turn dealing with a disability into an opportunity of
personal growth.
Principle 2:
Assistive devices must be used in accordance to the needs to improve
quality of life and maintain their sense of independence.
Example: Man cannot fly. Birds can. But airplane was invented to ‘assist’ man
to fly from one place to another.
If the group does not know about assistive aids and technology then give a brief
demonstration of available devices/aids and technology.
Types of wheelchair/ Crutches/ Cane/ Screen readers (Text-to-Speech)/
JAWS (software for the visually Impaired)/ Braille Note-takers
Principle 3:
No one is perfect. Everyone has limitations.
Give an example of two people (One sighted and other visually impaired)
leaving the office late at night. As they are coming down the stairs the
electricity goes off. The sighted person cannot move but the visually impaired
colleague continues to walk down. The sighted colleague calls out for help and
holds the VI’s shoulder and follows him out of the building. Everyone has
moments when they need help and are unable to perform tasks.
Principle 4:
Accept your disability.
How to start accepting your disability-
Focus on what you CAN do, not on what you cannot do
Are you working towards being more independent- (use of cane or other
assistive tools)
Have role models
Ways to Overcome Disability
Explain that to overcome disability the best approach is to
Acknowledge the existence of a problem
Search for solutions that might already exist (before
setting out on a new path)
Make a list of questions it raises
List of ways to meet the problem
1. Acknowledge the existence of a problem:
Understand the extent of your disability and how it is coming in the way of
your aspirations or your day to day living. Ask yourself the following questions-
What are the things I cannot do
What are the things I can do
What are the things I can continue to do ( maybe a little
differently)
How mobile am I? How can I become more mobile?
What are the things I want to do- Study, work, play, sing
2. Search for solutions that might already exist:
Abilities can vary from person to person, and over time, for different people
with the same type of disability but many accessibility solutions have a
"universal design" and benefit people with disabilities. In some rare cases it
may be necessary to seek specific solutions for e.g. a wheelchair design for
someone with special needs. However, it is important to check out what IS
available-
Types of assistive aids and tools
Academic and technical courses available for people with
disabilities
Training- computer, mobility, pre-employment
Jobs available for people with disabilities- which are the
companies that have a barrier free environment or hire
people with disabilities
3. Make a list of questions it raises:
Where can I get the assistive aids?
What is suitable for me?
What training do I need to find a suitable job?
How will I commute to office or the academy?
What is the support I need and from whom?
4. List of ways to meet the problem:
After understanding and accepting your disability you have to get into action
and start making the required changes in your life.
Making phone calls, writing or visiting places where
you can get assistive aids
Finding the cost
Raising the money or looking for agencies that will loan
or finance you
Visiting NGOs and meeting other people with
disabilities
Joining suitable and relevant training programs
Negotiating with people who do not understand
disability
Note: Many people with disabilities join unsuitable training programs without
long term goals from want of nothing to do. Parents also encourage this as they
feel that he/she is doing ‘something’ at least. This should be discouraged as
the people lose focus of what they want or what they are good at and are
unable to sustain livelihood through these programs.
5. Trust yourself:
If you don’t trust yourself you won’t trust others! You have to trust what you
feel, say or do. If you trust yourself, others will not trust you. Don’t say ‘one
day I will be worthy’ Believe and trust you are worthy NOW. Attract confidence
from others not pity.
