Without courteous communication, the inclusion model breaks down.  As a result employees may feel disrespected, undervalued, incapable of performing job related tasks, and unfulfilled.  Thus, disability training programs must first and foremost equip employees with the knowledge and skill to communicate with one another, regardless of mental or physical differences.

Tremendous responsibility rests on the shoulders of able-minded individuals to get to know coworkers with disabilities in order to facilitate courteous communication.  Disability education programs are essential in providing employees with information about specific conditions as well as corresponding etiquette guidelines.  As Program Development Associate’s new training DVD (dis)Ability Awareness makes clear, effective communication hinges on individuals and their ability to relate to one another.  Managers and disability training consultants must keep this fine distinction in mind for two important reasons:

Humans Categorize by Nature

Human beings categorize individual elements of reality simply in virtue of having a conscious mind that strives to make sense of things.   As humans categorize, prejudices are formed to efficiently assimilate the overwhelming amount of sensory inputs encountered daily.  While these shallow snap judgments allow for the processing of an immense amount of sensory inputs, they fall short in that people tend to favor their own category while undervaluing things that are perceived as different.

Humans Exhibit Affective Display

According to the American Psychological Association, Affective Display is a person’s ability to display thoughts, both conscious and unconscious, through verbal and nonverbal communication.  Tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions may all indicate an individual’s conscious or unconscious feelings, regardless of the message they intend to transmit.

Since the categorical nature of the human mind creates prejudices and the Affective Display phenomena communicates these preconceptions regardless of the communicator’s intent, disability education in the workplace must work to rid employees of predetermined thoughts about persons with physical or mental impairments.  Once the slate is clean, education and training programs have to help employees understand one another on a personal level.  General background information on certain conditions and corresponding social etiquette provides a substantial starting point.  However, able minded individuals must endeavor to understand coworkers with disabilities on a personal level.  Once this deep level of understanding is ascertained, employees are well suited to respectfully interact with one another.

Once coworkers with disabilities are understood on an individual and personal basis, networking can occur to further the inclusion of the office environment.  Asking a coworker what one may do to make them feel included or offering to escort them to a department meeting are two examples of simple acts that can help solidify and develop friendships that perpetuate value for the company as a whole.

Inclusion training DVDs are an unparalleled medium for helping employees understand how their preconceived notions may affect and ultimately hinder their ability to communicate with their coworkers.  Program Development Associates also carry a diverse set of disabilities training resources to assist businesses in creating a company culture where diversity is valued, respected, and embraced.

Reference: American Psychological Association (2006). VandenBos, Gary R. ed., APA Dictionary of Psychology. Washington, DC.

http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Visual_Strategies_Workshop_DVD-pid933.html

Resource #: VSWD924W

A LIVE PRESENTATION OF LINDA HODGDON’S POPULAR AND INNOVATIVE WORKSHOP.

Visual Strategies Workshop DVD

The Visual Strategies Workshop is a 5-video set filmed at a live presentation of Linda Hodgdon’s popular and innovative workshop. It provides lots of information about how to use visual strategies and it is packed with samples and examples of visual strategies that have proven successful with students who experience Autism Spectrum Disorders and other moderate to severe communication or behavior challenges. The information in the Visual Strategies Workshop is pertinent for every educator or parent who provides support for these students.

Will teach you to:
• Identify significant factors in student learning and functioning style that affect communication
• Informally assess the student’s communication strengths and challenges
• Recognize specific situations where communication breakdowns can affect student understanding, behavior, and participation
• Create and use specific visual supports that have significantly improved student communication, behavior and participation.  

DVD 1: 35 minutes – Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders and Communication
DVD 2: 30 minutes – Informally Assessing Communication: Students, Partners, and Environments
DVD 3: 35 minutes – Samples & Examples of Visual Strategies
DVD 4: 34 minutes – More Samples & Examples of Visual Strategies, Visual Strategies at Home: Parent Interview
DVD 5: 25 minutes – How to Create Visual Tools, Potpourri of Commonly Asked Questions

Package includes a FREE CD with a collection of supplementary materials including:
• Reproducible handouts for each video program
• Discussion questions
• Test questions
• Plus lots of other support materials to help you receive maximum benefit from this training package
• Stored on a CD for easy duplication

http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Sensory_Issues_in_Learning_and_Behavior_DVD-pid903.html

Resource #: SILD999W

See the Nation’s Leading Special Needs Author in Your Very Own Classroom or Living Room

Sensory Issues in Learning & Behavior DVD

In this 3-hour DVD of a live presentation, Carol Kranowitz offers sensory strategies and activities that are applauded not only in the United States but around the world. Carol discusses research in SPD and shares her 25 years of teaching experience.

For every kind of sensory need, she has a story that illustrates how a child may behave. She suggests techniques that work (and some that don’t) and fun and functional activities that are sure to be a hit with your young child or student, no matter what his or her sensory needs are.

Carol discusses:
• Recent research in SPD by the world’s top investigators
• The six types of SPD and how they can affect the daily lives of children
• Possible co-existing problems (e.g., visual, auditory, eating, sleeping, and emotional difficulties)
• Available treatment and therapy options

Carol’s lively approach to sensory challenges makes this DVD informative and entertaining. Her dynamic presentation will have you out of your seat in no time!

http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Real_Life_Teens_Ethics_in_School_DVD-pid867.html

Resource #: RESD964W

Real Life Teens: Ethics in School DVD

Many times it can be hard for teens to develop a positive code of ethical behavior in school. This program discusses the importance of ethics in the school environment and in a teen’s peer group.  It is designed to help teens feel comfortable discussing these issues as well as probing positive and negative aspects school ethics. Real Teens talk to us about their actions and sense of right and wrong in school.

Subjects covered include:
• Positive ethics & their benefit to teens.
• Negative effects from bad ethics.
• Developing good ethics.
• Gossip and rumors.
• Negative effects of gossip and rumor.
• Ethics and your future.