talking about DISABILITIES

Today's lesson explores the subject of DISABILITIES. It doesn't cover much of grammar content but allows to practice proper words and expressions that should be use when talking about disabled people and provokes a discussion on their rights, difficulties and merits to society. Hope it may prove helpful to you.

WARM UP

What are some types of disabilities that you know?
________________     ________________     ________________
________________     ________________     ________________

Did you ever know someone with a disability?

VOCABULARY

Here are some proper expressions that you should use regarding disabled people.

Fill in the blanks in the sentences with words given.

born * disabled * hear * learning * move * psychic * see * speak

• A person with a disability is ____________.
• People who can’t ____________ are mute or non-vocal.
• People who can’t ____________ are blind or visually-impaired.
• People who can’t ____________ are deaf or hearing-impaired. 
• People who can’t ____________ well have a mobility disability or a physical disability.
• People who have trouble ____________ have a learning disability.
• People who were ____________ with disability have an intellectual disability or are developmentally disabled.
• People with ____________ problems have a psychiatric disability or mental illness.

Now use some of the underlined expressions from the previous exercise in the sentences below.

1.    My neighbour is _______________ so she uses a help of a guide dog.

2.    _______________ people use sign language for communication.

3.    A person who uses a wheelchair likely has a _______________.

4.    Parents of _______________ kids need more support.

5.    Schizophrenia is a type of _______________.

READING

Choose the best option. Then answer the questions about the text.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities happens every year. It highlights problems for millions of people around the world struggle EVERYDAY / DAYTIME. It started in 1992 and every year it focuses on a DIFFERENCE / DIFFERENT subject. In 2008 for example, the theme was ON / AT dignity and justice for those with disabilities. Organizers act in many ways to increase awareness, including organizing events, workshops and campaigns in support OF / ON the day.

More than 650 million people across the globe live with disabilities. In richer nations, there are very good support systems for the disabled. However, in POVERTY / POORER nations, people with disabilities are further disabled by a LACKING / LACK of help, medicines and rights. There is a very strong link between poverty and disability. The situation is also TRAGICALLY / TRAGIC for children. UNESCO says 90% of children with disabilities in developing countries do not go to school. It is important we RECOGNITION / RECOGNIZE the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.

VIDEO

• What do you feel when you see a disabled person?
• If you see or meet a disabled person, what actions should you take?
• What can you do to help handicapped people?

Watch a short instruction video. What are the advices given by disabled people in the video? Fill in the blanks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv1aDEFlXq8

- focus on a ________ not the disability.

- focus on a signing person not the ________ or their ________.

- before you help, please ________ first.

- touch the assisting devices and ________ only with permission.

- if you’re not sure what to do, just ________.

DISCUSSION POINTS

•  What daily problems do you think wheelchair users have in your town?
•  How are disabled people treated in your country?
•   What problems do people with disabilities face in your country?
•  Do disabled people have anything of value to add to society?
• What can disabled people teach those without disabilities?
• What role models with a disability do you know of?
• Do you think science will be able to end disability one day?