Interview

I interviewed a teacher; she has been teaching special needs students for over 35 years and has lots of experience and passion for working with mentally and physically disabled children. Below are the Questions and Answers: ENJOY! 1. How long have you been a teacher to those with disabilities? 35 years 2. How long have you been around individuals with disabilities? 45 years 3. What made you passionate/interested about the disabled?

-New neighbors moved in across the street from where I lived. Their youngest daughter had disabilities and that was the start for me!
4. Would you say there are enough people advocating for the disabled individuals?

-It depends on the disability. It seems the push now is for wheelchair accessible. I wish people could accept the severely handicapped for who they are and not try to make or mold them into something they are not.
5. Do you believe, in general, people are not educated about those with disabilities?

- Using the word educate as a loose term-probably not. When I get volunteers that have not been exposed to this population, my goal is for them to become comfortable around them. That way, maybe they wont turn their heads when somebody with a disability tries to make eye contact with them.
6. If society was more educated on peoples disabilities do you think that would change the personal involvement in the disabled community? -

Only if society is directly affected. Its like anything else, if it doesnt mean anything to me, there isnt any time.

7. How might an implementation of a curriculum in regular Ed schools help make people more comfortable about being around those with disabilities? -Exposure. Even after 35 years, when a student comes to school

that has a severe disfigurement, I want to look! After a short time, you dont even notice the problem.
8. What should be taught to society about those with disabilities?

-Acceptance.
9. How does one with no experience or knowledge with the disabled become more comfortable and accepting to those with disabilities?

-Again, exposure.
10. In your opinion, how can society help those who have disabilities? - By accepting people for who they are. 11. What advice do you give to people working with the individuals who have mental or physical disabilities?? - Dont try to make people into something that they dont have

the ability to be. This is why Im retiring. Students that are severely handicapped should not have to have IEPs to fit the new testing procedures. It is wrong and I dont want to be part of it.
12. Have you noticed anything specifically that the city of Saint Louis could do to be more accepting of those with disabilities? - I think St. Louis has made great strides to accommodate people

with physical disabilities. The challenge is to provide services and to become more accepting of people with mental health issues and/or cognitive disabilities. In my field, we have tried for years for the medical community to recognize that teen students with cognitive delays can also be mentally ill. I have seen some progress with this in that we do have some students with dual diagnosis. There is a long way to go.

* I hope everyone who took the time to read this, got something out of it! I believe it is very wise for us (as a community) to look to the individuals who are considered experts based one their experience! We can all learn from their knowledge and apply it to how we view and help those with disabilities!