Finishing up UN day questions (at last!)

WRITTEN ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 24

Hello out there!

We have had a wonderful week at A!TLC and are happy to report that we finally had the chance to finish part two of Kennen's PATH!  We have a lot of work ahead and a whole lot to look forward to. The A!TLC crew is so excited to help you reach all those great goals you set, Kennen!

It's that time again! We have an Inclusion Cafe today....rough lives, we know! Rebekah, we will miss you as our server today! BUT before we head down to the pub, Kelsey and our awesome winter 2014 practicum student, Angel are going to teach us a lesson for our Techno Thursday!

And one more thing!
As promised, here are the last of our UN day questions:

What types of programs does Astonished! have?

We offer 4 programs, including this one - The A!TLC....
 Here, Astonished! staff work to support each Student Researcher as they each determine and navigate a PATH (Planning Alternative Futures with Hope) unique to them. Here, young adults with complex physical disAbilities are leadersand work with faculty, students, and the wider community in research, learning, and teaching about inclusion.

The Astonished! Social Club: 
The Astonished! Social Club is a monthly recreation, leisure, or social gathering for Core-Members, families, and friends. Astonished! contracts with a 5 member team of vibrant young adults with and without complex physical disAbilities to plan and carry out inclusive, social, recreational, and cultural events for young adults with complex physical disAbilities and the wider community. The Social Club offers a wide variety events, such as an upcoming Spa Night on January 31 and  Cougar Hockey Games on February 7 & 8!

Communication Technology and Literacy:
Our Communication Technology and Literacy program works to to enhance inclusion opportunities with young adults who do not have easy spoken language.
On June 18th, 2013 we began a summer pilot program to explore the literacy strengths, dreams, and needs of our Astonished! Core Members. This Literacy Program was a great success...and FUN! The Astonished! Team is looking forward to offering this program again in summer 2014. 

Mentorship for Employment:  
Astonished! is partnering with public funding organizations to support the employment dreams of our core members. Our first initiative was with our Face Book manager, Ryan Ross and we are establishing a process for further mentorship opportunities.
Why did you choose Astonished (to come to the A!TLC)?
"It seemed like the right fit for me".
"The A!TLC tries to give you the foundation you need to help you do the things you want to do".
 "It is great to see all of the opportunities that A!TLC can provide me with"
The A!TLC provides programming that aims to be truly individualised.
The content and activities that take place in the A!TLC are age-appropriate and aimed at helping each Student Researcher reach their goals. The A!TLC sees great value in the importance of being social....a chance to go for coffee or to the University pub for Inclusion Café is a vital part of the post-secondary education experience! 

For Kennen, Rebekah, and Kelsey - How did you become mentors in SW 479 for the fall 2013 semester?

Kaitlyn led the way! We were all impressed with Kaitlyn's experience as a mentor in fall 2012. Kaitlyn was able to deliver a presentation, make some great friends, and even make a little money in her mentorship role! We were offered the gig by SW 479 prof. Randy Johner . Randy was wonderful and quick to set our minds at ease and make us feel good about being mentors.
Everyone did good work...and a huge shout out goes to Rebekah for going to the front of the class to deliver a presentation for the very first time!   

Pizza Party Eve

Hello out there!

 

Pizza party eve, you ask? We answer - we are so happy to have won the RQHR World Aids Awareness Day competition! The prize? A pizza party happening tomorrow afternoon in A!TLC. !!! It will greatly add to our first PATH Wednesday, where we will help Student Researcher Kennen set some goals that will help her reach all of her big dreams!

 

Today we selected a book for our new A!TLC Book Club - We will be reading a book called "This is What Happy Looks Like" for a portion of each Thursday. This is a book where a young male celebrity is anonymously exchanging emails with a small town girl. Will they not so anonymously fall in love? Is this "You've Got Mail" for the next generation? Stay tuned to find out.

We also took some time to answer more of your UN day questions! Here are a few to consider....

 

What are some of the biggest barriers that Astonished! faces?

The awareness barrier. Although we have been on campus at the U of R for one full year now, there are lots of people who do not know who we are or what we do here. We have come a very long way in a year and there are many friendly faces and friends of the A!TLC in the hallways, but we would like to do much more. Kin students Jenny and Chelsea were a great help to helping to break this barrier during the Fall 2013 Semester, as they represented and presented Astonished! in classrooms and in the community at large. Thanks so much, ladies!

 

 

How can we work on eliminating stigma regarding disabled students?
The more awareness that is raised around campus, the less stigma there will be. We at the A!TLC are happy to contribute to the diversity on campus and show that the average person who would like to learn in a  wonderful place like the University of Regina comes in all shapes and sizes. The stigma is only as big as you make it. Be patient and be kind.

 

What advice can you give someone who is communicationg with someone who does not use speech as their main form of communication? Specifically, what can they do if it is their first time?  Again, please be patient and be kind. And take your time. Establish how they communicate (Maybe a head nod for yes and a shake for no) and design your questions around yes/no answers. Be creative and look the person who you are communicating with in the eye. Pay attention to any visual cues that you can. And be good to yourself, you are doing your best and communicating with someone that you have just met takes effort (and might be awkward!), no matter if you are using speech or not! Do not get discouraged and keep making that effort. It counts!

 

Thanks so much for reading and take care!

New Year! New A!TLC Semester! New (to us!) questions....

Hello out there! 

We are back! And thrilled to be here. The A!TLC Winter 2014 Semester is filled with many things to look forward to. And tough work, this is our first Thursday back but it being Jan 9th is the second Thursday of the month....making it an INCLUSION CAFE today! We are headed to the pub shortly. 

But before we head out - we have some business! We have been promising since (last year!) December 3rd, 2013 to answer YOUR questions from the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

Here's one: What are some of your favorite recreational activities?

Kelsey: Shopping! 
Kennen: Getting out and doing stuff! I love fishing...and ice fishing! 
Kaitlyn: Being social! Hanging out with friends and being out and about. 
Rebekah: Hosting parties and serving. Riding my bike at the Field House. 

And another: 

How can I adapt my lesson plans to reach students with disabilities?

Ask us! Talk to us to find out what our individual needs are. There is a way to make it work. Be willing to explore the situation and offer accessible office hours. We are happy to work with you! 


Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for the rest!