WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 6, 2020 — Who doesn’t benefit from sensitivity training? In an era when we all need a little more kindness, encouragement to practice sensitivity is smart.
“Our students have devised a Zoom program that takes place all week long, next week, and will share information on how to take part in activities to Disable the Label,” said Dr. Miriam Roth-Douglas, director of the Community Education program in WLU’s College of Education and Human Performance.
The Zoom sessions take place from 11 a.m. – noon daily, Monday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 13 and are open to the public as well as the campus community. To join the Disable the Label Zoom event and receive sign in information, please email disablethelabelpracticum@gmail.com.
“The point of our activity is to bring awareness to others and promote living with disabilities,” explained senior student Ron D’Amico of Pittsburgh.
D’Amico is just one of the students involved in the week-long Zoom sessions and he is pleased to be a part of Disable the Label promotions.
“Those living with disabilities can’t always do the same things that others can and this program is designed to increase awareness in all of us about disabilities of all kind, including mental health issues,” D’Amico said.
The Zoom programs are part of his practicum class before he graduates and enters graduate school. Eventually, he plans on working in the field of disabilities services and hopes to work with children who are affected by autism and other special needs.
He also is a student-athlete and member of Hilltopper wrestling.
Students Tasha Ocobock and Alyssa Wilson are organizing and planning the Zoom week event with D’Amico and a group of other students.
Dr. Douglas is the faculty coordinator and advisor for the students.
“I am pleased that the students have found a way, even with the pandemic, to encourage mental health and disabilities awareness,” she said.
Topics for the week include:
- Monday, mental health in athletic populations
- Tuesday, art therapy
- Wednesday, sensory
- Thursday, exercise
- Friday, resource day
According to the students planning the event, prizes will be drawn at the end of each day’s Zoom meeting to encourage attendance and participation.
The Bachelor of Arts in Community Education degree program is an accelerated 120-credit hour course of study that prepares students for community education through working and teaching in non-formal learning environments.
The Community Education Program gives students the option to select one of seven interdisciplinary majors that expand learning and knowledge of children and adult learners outside traditional classrooms and in the community. Disability Services is one of these majors.
For more information on the Community Education degree, please contact Douglas at 304.336.8561 or via email at miriam.douglas@westliberty.edu.