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

[Dr. Christian Kemper]

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 |
ck at inbetweener.eu  <mailto:ck at inbetweener.eu>  |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 
> <rochelle_england at yahoo.com.au <mailto: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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