Disability Awareness

>experience the tragedy shown on the screen.
Whilst it is true that we remember more of whatThis shock tactic advertising when it works is
we see than what we hear it is also a fact thatmotivating a change in behaviour through fear
what we feel has even more impact. Experiencingalone. This method can work with some people
a situation builds a realisation that mere tellingalthough it can also easily offend too.
cannot. What we feel, hear and see has theOur approach to Disability Awareness Training is
power to touch us at an intellectual, sensory andto look at why discrimination occurs. This means
emotional level.confronting issues of fear and ignorance. We
Much Disability Awareness Training relies on holisticdemonstrate a person with a disability has an
approach to discrimination. It regards discriminationidentity which has nothing to do with their
against those with a disability the same asdisability. This is the first stage in learning how to
discrimination against race colour or creed. In anrelate to the individual with empathy. From this
academic way this is absolutely true. Discriminationbuilding block it is then possible to develop a
is discrimination wherever it occurs. We can tellrapport with the person.
people that it is wrong to do and they will readilyDisability is often something we would rather not
agree. Just as we would all agree that keeping todeal with. Like death or cancer disability is one of
the speed limit is the right thing to do and yetthe taboos we’d rather not think about.
most of us exceed the limit at times.This ‘head in the sand’ mentality is
Recent shock tactic advertising for anti smokingsimply unacceptable in today’s world.
and drink driving use scenarios where the viewerThanks to the DDA and the DRC these outdated
is challenged to ‘feel what its like’ toattitudes and prejudices will have to go.