Changing perceptions about people with disabilities

Topic:

This article is about a café that only employs people with disabilities.

       

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Kazakhstan on a map?
• What does the word "stigma" mean?
• What are some kinds of "disability"?
• What are some kinds of discrimination that disabled people face? Why?

         

Speculate:

• In the article a woman says, "In Kazakhstan, people with disabilities are forced to exist within tight boundaries". What might she mean by "boundaries", and why might those boundaries exist?

            

        

Click on the embedded link below to read the article on the PRI website. Word count: 630

           

Kazakhstan cafe uses employment to fight disability stigma

After reading:

        

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Zhuldyz Abdykarimova, a waitress at Training Café, says she has learned a lot while working there. What are some of the things that she might have learned?
• While providing important employment opportunities, the Training Café is also a place where people with disabilities interact with other members of society. What might be some effects of bringing people together like this?
• The article also mentions that a movie starring people with disabilities was recently released in Kazakhstan. By choosing these actors, what do you think is the message to the audience? How might this movie change public perceptions about people with disabilities?
• Why don't more places like Training Café exist, in Kazakhstan and in other countries around the world?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

         

Reflect and evaluate:

• In your country or culture, what are some attitudes about disabilities? Are people with disabilities treated differently than others? Are there many opportunities for people with disabilities to find jobs?
• Explain why it is beneficial for people with disabilities to have opportunities to work. List as many advantages as you can think of. Conversely, what are the problems with not providing opportunities?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

         

Beyond the page:

• For some people, it might be challenging to know the best way to communicate with people who have disabilities. This guide offers some helpful tips: Communicating Effectively with People who Have a Disability
• Open Society Foundations is one of Training Café's financial supporters. Find out more about this organization here: Open Society Foundations

            

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