By Alexavia Dorsett,
01.02.09
Name a single subject that can turn the verbal elite
into tantrum-throwing lunatics and instantly transform
wordsmiths into wannabe warriors. You got it. Math.
"If Math can do that to ordinary folks, imagine what
it can do to someone with learning disabilities," says
Mario Carey, a luxury market Realtor to whom handling
numbers usually means configuring square footage under
roof and linear beachfront. President of Mario Carey
Realty, Carey learned what it's like to live with Math
disabilities not from his profession but from his son,
12-year-old who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a high
functioning form of autism. "Cole, our son, goes to
Blairwood Academy where there are special programs for
students with special needs, but one area they really
needed a boost was Mathematics so we zeroed in on that
and made a contribution we hope will bring what we are
calling 'Math relief' for students with math
disabilities." It's actually called TouchMath.
More than 100 students attend the not-for-profit
school on Village Road. Housed in a converted classic
Bahamian home, the one-of-a-kind institution provides
testing and assessment, individualized learning,
supportive classroom environments and behavioural and
management services for parents and children. They
recently added a program for children with autism, the
fastest-growing development disability in the U.S. where
one in every 150 children is born with the condition
ranging from slightly detached behaviour to the most
severe cases with multiple sensory disorders and total
disengagement from society.
TouchMath is a program that uses all the learning
styles -- touching, hearing and seeing," explains
education and behavioural therapist Myrna Hoogers, who
uses the 'See it, Hear, it, Touch it, system to teach
Math at Blairwood. "Each number from one to nine has
certain points on the number." Repeated use of number one
with one circle on it, two with two circles and on up to
nine with nine marked circles makes the number real, not
abstract. Circles can be Bingo chips or Smarties.®"
The system is gaining popularity in lower grades and is
now being used in special education programs. According
to Hoogers, it's "like training wheels for math and we
are very grateful to Mario Carey and his family for
making those wheels available for our students."
As for the Careys, having a son with Asperger's
syndrome has re-affirmed their commitment to community.
Afternoons and Saturday mornings often find Dad and Cole
in a golf cart on Paradise Island, searching for wayward
golf balls to collect, sell and donate to REACH, an
organisation providing support and educational services
for those with autism.
"It's one thing to be successful in business," says
Carey, but it's a totally different thing to be
successful as a parent; one of the important lessons to
teach is that of helping others."
Source: www.thebahamasweekly.com
By Llonella Gilbert,
02.02.09
Nassau, Bahamas -- Consultant at the Department of
Social Services Disability Affairs Division Iris Adderley
says accessibility to goods and services for persons with
disabilities have improved somewhat in The Bahamas but
there is still a long way to go.
During an interview at her office Ms. Adderley said
accessibility involves more than the disabled being able
to access the physical environment; it includes being
able to have access support services, health services,
education and information.
"So things that help you become a contributing citizen
of the country are the same entitlements that persons
with disabilities are entitled to," added Ms. Adderley
who uses a wheelchair following a car accident.
"When I say that I am a Bahamian that means something
to me; this means everything in this country that is
available to anybody that lives in this country should
and must be available to me."
Pointing out that the country will not move as fast as
it should if some people are left behind, the Consultant
also noted that persons with disabilities must chart
their own course as well and understand that freedom is
not free but has to be fought for.
"We are people who know how to fight for what we want,
so the community of persons with disabilities then has to
take charge and say that these are our entitlements, and
we have to organise, unify and decide what we are going
to fight for to become included."
As a result, Ms. Adderley said it is important for
persons with disabilities to understand the benefits of
joining the National Registry at the Disability Affairs
office. The National Registry is a database that lists
the number of disabled persons in the country.
"If we are going to become an inclusive society, we
need to be able to say to the government, 'here is a
sizeable part of the population that you are leaving
out'.
"International statistics say that 10 to 15 per cent
of any population has a disability. If you register, you
tend to have better sidewalks, better support services,
better healthcare, the schools will be better
accommodating as well as businesses - all these things
come into play if we have an idea of who we are
servicing."
Ms. Adderley said integrating the disabled into
society should begin at an early age; and this involves
allowing students with disabilities into regular schools
designed to accommodate them.
She explained that while all disabled students cannot
participate in regular schools, pupils with disabilities
should not be limited to special schools.
"If you and I went to school from the time we were in
kindergarten, and I have a disability and you do not, by
the time we are in 12th grade, you tend to see me more
than you see my disability.
"You tend to understand me and when you go off to
school or you make decisions as to your career, you will
tend to not see me as different and you will make
decisions that would be inclusive of me; whereas someone
who has never had any association with me, I am a
stranger to them."
She advised that once persons with disabilities are
properly provided with access, they would become more
active in their communities.
This is where the Disabilities Affairs Division
becomes important. Ms. Adderley said businesses and other
entities should consult with the Division before
constructing or remodelling buildings or providing any
type of service so they could also include proper access
for the disabled.
Furthermore, she said persons should listen to the
disabled when they explain what their needs are.
"Listen to us, we know better than you do. Say how can
we help you; do not treat me like a child; ask me how can
I help you? Do you need any help or how can I help?
"People put you in this frame of mind where you are
always a child to them; that is demeaning. It is also
disrespectful. Persons with disabilities want to live
with dignity."
Source: www.thebahamasweekly.com
