[OSList] Question about OST meetings/conferences including people with disabilities

[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 <
rochelle_england at yahoo.com.au> 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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