Abbot students gain empathy and understanding at Disability Awareness Workshop

Workshops have been held throughout AAPS for 19 years; Abbot’s was the 16th so far this school year

Fourth graders at Abbot Elementary recently participated in hands-on activities that allowed
them to get a sense for the struggles some of their peers deal with daily—and the innovative ways they compensate.
Abbot was the 16th Ann Arbor Public School so far this school year to participate in a Disability Awareness Workshop run by the Disability Network of Washtenaw, Monroe and Livingston.

These workshops have been held at AAPS for 19 years to teach students empathy, kindness, and understanding towards those with disabilities.
According to Disability Awareness Coordinator Karen Meints, the workshops show students how people with disabilities find innovative ways to live their daily lives and problem-solve. The workshops also give students an appreciation for classmates who may have hidden disabilities and struggle in the classroom, such as needing a bit more time to read and take tests.
“It just encourages a bit more understanding and a bit more tolerance,” Meints noted.

Meanwhile, she said, all students are learning empathy, kindness, and understanding of people who are different in some ways from themselves.

Noura Insolera, a volunteer Disability Awareness Coordinator for AAPS, said the workshops are an example of successful collaboration between school parent councils and the Disability Network.

“It’s fantastic that they have been running in AAPS for 19 years,” she says. “We’re learning about things from fine motor skills to gross motor skill issues, disabilities that are easily seen, and some that seem invisible.”

“We’re hoping to have kids understand what other kids may be dealing with that they don’t know
about,” Insolera says, adding that the workshops demonstrate how determined and innovative
students with disabilities can be. “It gives them a little experience to then have more empathy
and understanding,” Insolera said.

What we hope kids will learn is not to assume someone’s ability by their appearance. They may be struggling with something that can’t be seen from the outside, or they may be able to do much more than their outward appearance leads them to believe.  

Noura Insolera

Insolera noted that these workshops also benefit parent volunteers who can help spread the message through their communities. 

“We all have more to learn in order to be better friends, mentors, classmates, and family members,” she says.  

Peter Brauer is an Abbot parent who said he was happy to volunteer during the workshop because one of the main goals is to increase compassion in the classroom.
“I think it’s really important for the kids to learn what it’s like for someone who doesn’t have the same abilities as them,” he said, “so that they can have a lot of compassion.”