Dear Rochelle,
thanx for your question.
I just want to encourage you to follow your idea.
Some experiences in facilitating open spaces with people with certain
talents or disabilities lead me to this.
For example this one: In the closing circle of a two day os with about
100 people <http://www.bridge-lebenshilfe.de/kongress/> (40% with
talents/dis., most of them with a great mental creativity) one person
stood up saying: it is not okay to have just a paper documentation wth
scans of the results - i am blind, i can't read this.
And the group solved the problem immediately and organized within a day
a version of the documentation which was accessible for blind people.
In all phases of the open spaces (planing meeting, os, next step
meeting) all people were included and took responsibility for their
matters of concern, helping others to do as well.
The same happened as Joaquim experienced in his talking stick ceremonies.
Not sure if this helps you, Rochelle - all the best for your plans!
Blessings
Christian
Dr. Christian Kemper | inbetweener huven.kemper GbR |
Laufenbergstrasse 38 | D-53173 Bonn |
M. 0049 . 174 . 921 66 11 | T. 0049 . 22 8 . 33 60 28 44 |
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> |www.inbetweener.eu
<http://www.inbetweener.eu/>
Am 23.03.2012 18:49, schrieb Joaquim Baptista:
Greetings,
I never facilitated an Open Space event where people with disabilities
participated in the actual conversations. However, I have had two kids
participate in "talking stick ceremonies".
These two kids have mental disabilities (15yo with Down Syndrome and
11yo with Autism) that prevent them from talking clearly. It is hard
for them to communicate with their family members, and very difficult
to communicate with strangers.
However, during a talking stick ceremony (happened several times with
20 to 60 people) they will wait for their turn and then, stand up and
try to talk. It works, because people have been respectfully listening
to each other and, even if surprised, they will keep listening.
Therefore, I have been gaining more and more respect for the talking
stick ceremony and its ability to "open space" for people to talk.
I usually start and end my OST gatherings with a talking stick
ceremony. I have found it valuable in small groups in building rapport
between participants. I have used the ceremony alone in situations
where OST would not be accepted, or where "talking to the whole
assembly" would be more appropriate than talking to small groups. I
have found that it helps to carefully choose the talking stick itself
(usually a plush toy).
If you understand Portuguese, you may find the following reports useful:
- Assembleia geral eleitoral 30-Set-2011
<http://apdmartinho.pt/associacao/88/assembleia-geral-eleitoral-30-set-2011> (talking
stick used to enhance a boring formal assembly, preventing "I talk
louder" politics)
- A Sexualidade e os Afectos na Deficiência
<http://apdmartinho.pt/educar/97/a-sexualidade-e-os-afectos-na-deficiencia> (talking
stick used to allow everyone to question or comment)
In summary, create an environment of mutual respect where people feel
that their voice will be heard. When you do, most people will have
things to say, even people with mental disability.
On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 23:32, Rochelle England
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
wrote:
Hi
I'm new to the OS list, living in Wollongong NSW Australia. I
attended a couple of OS conferences (eg. Chicago) and training
about late 1990's-2000. I am currently studying social work and
working on an assignment with a case study involving community
development - focusing on the needs of ageing people with
developmental disabilities in a rural community.
I would like to include a planning event using OST. Does anyone
have experience that would be relevant?
I am wondering about the logistics involved in inclusion of people
with developmental delay in the planning. The people in the case
study have been doing some cafe and gardening work and live in a
group home run by a charity.
Although this isn't a real life situation, I feel that the
experience of working it up could become an opportunity to offer
an OST approach to the community.
Thanks in anticipation
Rochelle England
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