Fourth-graders throughout the Clarkston School district are experiencing a piece of life through the eyes, ears, bodies and minds of those with physical or mental disabilities.
Clarkston and North Sashabaw Elementary were the first in the district to participate in the Disability Awareness Workshop this year, but all seven elementary schools are scheduled to do so.
The workshop was started by Debra Branham and Lisa Kowlaski in Rochester, and Clarkston schools have participated for several years.
The workshop involves nine stations setup in the schools? gymnasium and cafeteria. Each station features items or challenges for students that show them how people with certain disabilities function.
Students are challenged to maneuver through the building in a wheelchair, play games without the use of certain limbs and try homework assignments written backwards.
Stations also feature many of the devices used by people with disabilities to help them through their day. By using these devices, students are given the chance to gain some serious perspective and hopefully social understanding about people with disabilities.