Looking at disabilities
St Ninian’s Primary in Prestwick played host to a special event for youngsters to get them thinking about disabilities.
The Partners For Inclusion group came into the school, where the children had to support someone in their number who had some form of disability, which was simulated using sim spec glasses, ear defenders, and several mittens to inhibited manual dexterity.
Tasks like writing their name without the glasses and then with simulated cataracts, tunnel vision and depth perception problems.
They also held a treasure hunt for several pieces of a jigsaw, which formed a picture of several people with learning disabilities.
James McLay, the service leader at Partners For Inclusion, said: “We worked with just the one class P4/ 5 as they were a really good age to target in terms of thinking about the issues surrounding learning disabilities.
“We made comparisons between several famous celebrities with learning disabilities and the extraordinary things they have gone on to achieve, and then contrasted this with several equal remarkable achievements some of the people we support have had.
“The kids were great and helped their fellow class mates who had simulated disabilities and all performed well as a group, to make up our treasure hunt jigsaw using the large playground.
“The kids also had several very good questions and reflected upon the other exercises we completed with them, writing their names without the sim spec glasses and then with them, and then also pouring from a jug of water.
“It was a fantastic morning and the kids were really good with Robert who is one of the people we support. An excellent morning raising awareness of Learning Disabilities and the work we do. I feel the kids will be less hesitant being in and around individuals with Learning disabilities as a result of our input with them.
“Thanks also go to Gail Ivory of RNIB Ayrshire & Arran for lending us some sim specs.
“We hope to repeat this event in East Ayrshire in June.”