Transformative Language Arts Network
Changing the World with Words
The Power of Words Conference, September 19 to 21, 2014, Kansas City, MO.
Sponsored by Goddard College.
Explore how we can use our words to change ourselves and the world.
Sponsored by Goddard College.
Explore how we can use our words to change ourselves and the world.
check out the conference at : www.tlanetwork.org.
Hello Readers!
Along with being a writer, I am also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
In this capacity, I work with individuals who are blind, or deaf, or use wheelchairs for mobility.
I have created a series of workshops that I have been presenting over the last few years about inclusion for all. "A Workshop on how to Host Accessible and Welcoming Workshops for all
(dis) Abilities," grew out of my personal experience of attending and/or leading workshops in a variety of settings that were not fully inclusive. There were buildings where, if a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility arrived, they would not have been able to get to the meeting room!
However, even more than the physical access, I have experienced meetings/group events where, if an individual with a disability had arrived, they may not have felt fully welcomed and accepted into the activity at hand. This is why I created an information workshop to address the activities of a group, as well as the group settings, which can be adapted in order to welcome and include all individuals.
So far, I have conducted this workshop for the "American Counseling Association," "The Southwest Conference on Disability," and even "The American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama." And, I do this not because I have a book to sell, but because I just fully believe in the topic at hand: full inclusion for all.
For the Power of Words Conference, I will be facilitating a workshop titled,
"The Transformative Power of The Language of Disability: Inclusion for all."
When writing about an individual with any type of disability, are there words or phrases
which provide a more positive image, than those that are commonly used? Can language
have an effect on how a person is perceived, or how they perceive themselves?
In the world of Disability Rights, this language is called, "Person First: Address the person first, not the disability." This is what we will discuss and experience in this workshop, through a combination of interactive, experiential sociometric group activities, writing prompts, as well as
colorful and informative Power Point guided discussions.
As a teaser for this topic, today's writing prompt is inspired by Dr. Ira Progoff, whose
groundbreaking book, "At a Journal Workshop," led me into the fields of writing, counseling,
and narrative therapy. The Progroff method contains separate journal sections which focus on different areas of a person's life, world, timelines, and even the parts of the body.
Grounding into creativity: Before we can understand another person's level of (dis)Ability, we need to acknowledge and become aware of our own level of (dis)Ability. Please take a moment to settle into stillness. Take a deep breath. Together, we will review and acknowledge many of our current abilities and senses. Feel the chair under your legs, and thank your legs for the ability to feel the chair. Is the chair soft, cushioned, plastic, cold? Acknowledge this sensory awareness, this ability to feel, IF you are able. And, in turn, go to each area of your body, becoming aware of your clothing against your body: are your clothes tight, around you, or loose and flowing? Which do you prefer?
Feel the air around you, the temperature in the room: is there a breeze against your face?
Your feet: feel the ground below you: become rooted to the ground, and thank your feet for the ability to carry you from place to place. Acknowledge your shoulders, your neck, your arms, and thank them for the ability to lift and carry, IF you can. Your hands: thank them for the ability of grasping, holding, being able to lift a fork to your mouth for meals. LISTEN to the sounds around you, IF you can, and thank your ears and your brain for being able to work together for this sense.
Your eyes: look straight ahead, above, and around, and take in all that the world has to offer, IF you can, and thank your eyes for this ability. Let's not leave out our awareness, our ability to be aware of what is going on in the world to the best of our ability. Scan your body one more time, acknowledging each gift and strength, and then bring your awareness back to the page, or the keyboard.
Writing Prompt: Was there an instance at some time in your life that some area of your body, your awareness, your strength, hearing, sight, or mobility failed you in some way? Have you fallen, broken an arm or leg, etc? Use your anchor to memory and ask your body, and bring that story to your awareness. What was the incident? When was it? Who was with you? What was your initial response to the incident, and where are you now with it? Were any lessens learned, or new relationships formed? Did some good come of it? How did you handle it? Who helped you along the way?
Which ability/body part was involved? Focus on that, for a while, and please take some time to directly address that. "Dear body part, I acknowledge this event in our lives together, and now want to thank you for................................................" Please continue writing..........................
Thank you! Jo'el
Hello Readers!
Along with being a writer, I am also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
In this capacity, I work with individuals who are blind, or deaf, or use wheelchairs for mobility.
I have created a series of workshops that I have been presenting over the last few years about inclusion for all. "A Workshop on how to Host Accessible and Welcoming Workshops for all
(dis) Abilities," grew out of my personal experience of attending and/or leading workshops in a variety of settings that were not fully inclusive. There were buildings where, if a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility arrived, they would not have been able to get to the meeting room!
However, even more than the physical access, I have experienced meetings/group events where, if an individual with a disability had arrived, they may not have felt fully welcomed and accepted into the activity at hand. This is why I created an information workshop to address the activities of a group, as well as the group settings, which can be adapted in order to welcome and include all individuals.
So far, I have conducted this workshop for the "American Counseling Association," "The Southwest Conference on Disability," and even "The American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama." And, I do this not because I have a book to sell, but because I just fully believe in the topic at hand: full inclusion for all.
For the Power of Words Conference, I will be facilitating a workshop titled,
"The Transformative Power of The Language of Disability: Inclusion for all."
When writing about an individual with any type of disability, are there words or phrases
which provide a more positive image, than those that are commonly used? Can language
have an effect on how a person is perceived, or how they perceive themselves?
In the world of Disability Rights, this language is called, "Person First: Address the person first, not the disability." This is what we will discuss and experience in this workshop, through a combination of interactive, experiential sociometric group activities, writing prompts, as well as
colorful and informative Power Point guided discussions.
As a teaser for this topic, today's writing prompt is inspired by Dr. Ira Progoff, whose
groundbreaking book, "At a Journal Workshop," led me into the fields of writing, counseling,
and narrative therapy. The Progroff method contains separate journal sections which focus on different areas of a person's life, world, timelines, and even the parts of the body.
Grounding into creativity: Before we can understand another person's level of (dis)Ability, we need to acknowledge and become aware of our own level of (dis)Ability. Please take a moment to settle into stillness. Take a deep breath. Together, we will review and acknowledge many of our current abilities and senses. Feel the chair under your legs, and thank your legs for the ability to feel the chair. Is the chair soft, cushioned, plastic, cold? Acknowledge this sensory awareness, this ability to feel, IF you are able. And, in turn, go to each area of your body, becoming aware of your clothing against your body: are your clothes tight, around you, or loose and flowing? Which do you prefer?
Feel the air around you, the temperature in the room: is there a breeze against your face?
Your feet: feel the ground below you: become rooted to the ground, and thank your feet for the ability to carry you from place to place. Acknowledge your shoulders, your neck, your arms, and thank them for the ability to lift and carry, IF you can. Your hands: thank them for the ability of grasping, holding, being able to lift a fork to your mouth for meals. LISTEN to the sounds around you, IF you can, and thank your ears and your brain for being able to work together for this sense.
Your eyes: look straight ahead, above, and around, and take in all that the world has to offer, IF you can, and thank your eyes for this ability. Let's not leave out our awareness, our ability to be aware of what is going on in the world to the best of our ability. Scan your body one more time, acknowledging each gift and strength, and then bring your awareness back to the page, or the keyboard.
Writing Prompt: Was there an instance at some time in your life that some area of your body, your awareness, your strength, hearing, sight, or mobility failed you in some way? Have you fallen, broken an arm or leg, etc? Use your anchor to memory and ask your body, and bring that story to your awareness. What was the incident? When was it? Who was with you? What was your initial response to the incident, and where are you now with it? Were any lessens learned, or new relationships formed? Did some good come of it? How did you handle it? Who helped you along the way?
Which ability/body part was involved? Focus on that, for a while, and please take some time to directly address that. "Dear body part, I acknowledge this event in our lives together, and now want to thank you for................................................" Please continue writing..........................
