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Feedback - Awareness Training

 

Central Library (WELB) - 4 November 2004

 

Introductions	Participants – their expectations Brendan & Family Information Group Outline of the morning & “family view”
Ability/Disability	Questionnaire Video – American games Discussion
Other Ramps	More than access - barriers More than the Disability Discrimination Act Attitudes/inclusion/”ramps in the head”
Your Service	People First Customer focus – whose needs are being met
Information	Feedback from homework exercise Awareness of the issues and support networks Sensitivity – understanding impact of disability Formats and location of information The internet? Sign-posting Communication including sign language
Inclusion	A different perspective Video – “Just Like You”
Questions/Answers	Final Discussion
Conclusion
Evaluation	Complete evaluation forms

 

Feedback

This session was attended by thirteen people, all but one was from a direct library background. The exception was someone from WELB who works in the area of student disability. Although people from a variety of different positions within the library and outside could have led to difficulties with such different perspectives, in this session the mixture helped provide a healthy debate on several issues. Although time was limited, and key areas such as information provision were not covered as in depth as most of us would have liked, in general most of the subjects planned for the session were covered to some extent.

From the feedback and specific comments made, this was a very successful session in stimulating discussion on the issues of disability, ability, inclusion, information and in challenging participants to think differently about some of these issues. However one comment, in relation to someone disagreeing with me on some points, does concern me – not because she disagrees but because I did not help provide an environment where she could openly make her comments.

The evaluations are summarised below, but we are encouraged that all participants felt that the session was well presented, that all participants would encourage others to participate in such sessions and that all participants felt they had better knowledge of the issue as a result of this session, except one who felt their knowledge base remained the same. As this was a one off session, it is not surprising that not all participants wanted further training, 8 felt they did, 2 did not and 3 did not answer this question. For our Group these are the key questions on which we evaluate our awareness sessions, therefore we are very pleased and encouraged by such positive responses.

Below are some more detailed comments. Based on this feedback, we would hope when this session is evaluated more fully by library staff, that consideration will be given to working more closely with our Group on these and related issues in the future.

 

Additional Comments

- Disagree with Brendan on some points, but basics are very useful to know.
- Better understanding and need for change in attitude.
- Made me think about it from other viewpoint.
- Clear, concise and made you think about things you wouldn’t have considered before. Excellent, made me more aware of disability.
- Don’t treat people differently. Looking to attend further courses.
- I have a better insight into disability.
- The whole presentation helped my understanding.
- I can relate to the presentation. Useful insights gained about inclusion.
- It helped me to look at both sides of things and treat people equal.
- Better equipped not to make judgements.
- Disturbed, that despite having thought about it, I hadn’t thought about all issues. At last a course for the real world. Covered area well.
- It gave me a lot of information and helps you look past the barriers.
- Learned that people with a disability are a person first and disability second.
- Would be glad to keep in touch with Brendan and his Group.
- Made you look at your own perception and maybe see where biased.”

 

Short Comments

Very useful  - very good  - easy style  - very good insight  - a lot of discussion - a very useful way to spend a morning - I was interested and impressed  - two hours, very short – thought provoking - great reality check  -  appropriate for issue - relaxed and informed.

 

Areas of Presentation that impacted most	Request for Further training in:
Life experience	Information
Videos (particularly Donovan’s)	Attitudes
Discussion	Hearing Loss
Children’s View	Research
Disability Topic	Diagnosis and Disclosure
Questionnaire	dealing with people with
All parts	certain disabilities

 

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