Disabilities Projects in a Box
Are you looking for a FUN activity for your chapter?
Why not explore the topic of disabilities? We have some FUN ideas planned for you.
Check out some ideas below, plus be sure to visit AMSA's Local Project Directory. We also urge you to submit your chapter's local projects to be included in the directory.
- 1. Film Discussion
- People love to watch movie clips or an entire movie. Our website contains a list of movies related to the topic of disabilities and especially interesting time points for each movie. We even have a list of questions and answers for different segments of the movie so that your audience can become involved. You can discuss how the character's disability was portrayed and other exciting questions.
- 2. Brown Bag Lunch
- Invite a speaker to come talk about people with disabilities. Where can you find such a speaker?
- 1) A community organization for people with disabilities: These organizations include the American Association of People with Disabilities, ARC, Disabilities Rights and Education Fund, Easter Seals, or National Organization on Disability. The speaker could talk about different needs of people with disabilities or barriers that they often encounter.
- 2) Your medical school's Disabilities Support Services. This speaker could discuss admission policies and accommodation services provided for medical students with disabilities. Make sure that the speakers share a bit of each of their perspectives and allow time for the audience to ask questions. This is a good way to dispel stereotypes and to increase awareness and understanding of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
- 1) A community organization for people with disabilities: These organizations include the American Association of People with Disabilities, ARC, Disabilities Rights and Education Fund, Easter Seals, or National Organization on Disability. The speaker could talk about different needs of people with disabilities or barriers that they often encounter.
- 3. Small Group Topics
- Consider getting one or several small groups of students together to discuss one of the disabilities related handouts. For example, take the "Myths and Facts" sheet - Does anyone in the group believe in those myths or have they at some time? Where do these perceptions come from? Why it is important to break down those stereotypes or false ideas? How can we help stop perpetuating those myths? Can you name some famous people with disabilities?
- 4. Power Point Lecture with Questions
- Do you feel the need to show off your narcissistic tendencies and stand up in front of a large crowd? If so, this is your chance. A pre-made power-point lecture about disabilities (about 30 minutes long) is available for you to show to your classmates. The power-point presentation can be followed by a question/answer period. (Don't worry. We will provide you with some standard answers.) This is a great project because it helps increase awareness about disability issues and stimulates discussion among your peers.
- 5. Use the element of surprise.
- Take your cue from Temple University's physical diagnosis class. When medical students were first presented with Dr. Thomas Strax, a thin man sitting in a wheelchair in a hospital gown, they were sure that his job could consist of selling pencils or begging for money. Dr. Strax, chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, then left the room. A few minutes later, that guest lecturer returned and sported a physician's white coat. The students were surprised to learn that someone in a wheelchair could accomplish great things- like being a physician. If you want to go for the element of surprise, invite some highly esteemed member of society who openly admits to having some type of a disability and have the audience ask him/her questions about him/herself. Then have him/her come back later and discuss his/her profession and accomplishments. This could truly be an eye-opener for some future physicians!
- 6. Have a skit.
- Really! Who does not like attending a skit? Find some adventurous people in your group who do not mind being on stage. We have put together a short, funny skit that you can perform. When you can perform it? Perhaps at a talent or cultural show that your school holds or even as a workshop or lunchtime lecture.
- 7. Feel the writing juice flowing
- Are you thinking about what it would have been like to be very well known for your writing instead of a heading down the path towards being a physician? Why not put an article about disabilities in your school newspaper? Better yet, e-mail your class with some interesting article about disabilities? Stuck for an article? Why not check the COD website or click here for some disabilities article that just might make you laugh!