Children and Disability - From their perspective...

Rosie has often observed that children are unashamedly forthright when it comes to matters of disability.

Rosie has worked with, and spoken to children of all ages about disability and its impact on society.

From Rainbows and Brownies, through to Reception classes at Primary School, Rosie has tackled the compelling issues of “how do you brush your hair” “who helps you in the house” “how do you get from your wheelchair into bed” and even “how do you pick your nose!”

Children are very perceptive, and receptive to new ideas.  They come with none of the prejudice that is often found with adults.

Rosie has a simple philosophy.  “Tell it how it is” and then the difference between a disabled person or a non-disabled person holds no taboo.

For children, there is no issue that cannot be resolved without a simple answer, and their instinctive ability to portray things as they see them is evidenced in the drawings prepared for Rosie by members of a Brownie group.

Senior School children can also be incredibly keen to embrace the promotion of equality.  Rosie has worked with a number of senior school groups throughout South Wales.

CARDIFF HIGH SCHOOL

Rosie has helped students at Cardiff High School develop a Disability INSET course for Teaching Staff and Governors.  The success of the INSET was such that Governors hope it will become a core feature of Governor training in Cardiff. 

Rosie has also worked on compiling a Disability Equality Scheme for the school. 

With Rosie’s help, the school promoted a “Walking Through Walls” competition.  The results of this work were displayed at the Welsh Assembly Government Senedd on 3rd December 2008.  The day culminated in a presentation by a number of students to an audience of more than 100 people (including Assembly Members and the Assembly Presiding Officer – Lord Ellis Thomas) entitled ‘Young Lives, Equality Lives’. 

The students have produced a questionnaire to ascertain parental knowledge about disability facilities within the School.  The data will be presented in a report to the Governors, and the report will be published on the school website.

Most recently, the group got involved in an Equality and Diversity 'flexible day' for year 9 pupils.  We delivered disability equality presentations, discussions and exercises for two classes.  The day started and ended with a play on diversity, delivered to the whole of year 9, which was performed by the year 11 drama group.  Rosie also performed in the play as the disabled character!

Our Thoughts:

At RMS, we believe that as the children of today are the adults of tomorrow, shaping positive ideas of disability will do much to help the cause of disability equality in the future.