A1 - Daring to Dream: An International Perspective
Presenters:
Diane Nelson Bryen, USA
Reena Sen, India
Kitty Uys, South Africa
Joanne Watson, Australia
Melinda Smith, Australia
Abstract:
People with disabilities and members of other marginalized and oppressed groups have been “told” by society in words and through actions to “adjust” to the realities of their current condition, accept their limitations and develop “realistic” (and generally low) expectations for their futures. Rarely are they asked to envision a future where they can lead ‘everyday’ lives like those of us who are more privileged. Even more rarely are they asked to dream. For those who have significant communication difficulties, the problem is compounded by their difficulty in expressing themselves – let alone their hope and dreams for their future. In many countries they remain a silent and, often, invisible group. However, we all need to dream and to take our dreams seriously for they are our lifelines to our future. Judith Snow, poet, philosopher, activist and self-advocate from Canada, says that the dream should guide all planning. One's personal dream is the driving force behind all actions and life circumstances. It illuminates, guides, and sometimes even changes as time goes by. Carol Marfisi, teacher, activist, and self-advocate adds that if we don't dream, take our dreams seriously, make them known to others, and work towards their fulfillment, then we will live according to someone else's decisions and visions for our lives. It is only through “daring to dream” that oppressed individuals can begin to throw off years of oppression due to poverty, unemployment, minority group and disability status.
Daring to Dream does just that. It begins to throw off years of oppression by providing the opportunity for an individual with complex communication needs (CCN) to envision his or her dream for the future. Each dream may focus on any or all of the following: where they will live and with whom, what they will do during the day (e.g., go to school, paint, work at a desired job, or even watch soaps), who will be significant people in their lives, what they will do for fun, etc. Not only are all participants encouraged to visualize their dreams, but the dream must be clear enough to them as to be able to communicate it to others so that it can be graphically represented through pictures.
Visualizing the dream leads to developing an action plan. Each dream-centered action plan articulates goals that are segments or components of the larger dream and are positive and possible (i.e. likely to be accomplished in one year). The dream-centered action plan also identifies resources needed (time, money, learning opportunities), places (real or virtual where people who have had similar dreams and have achieved their goals to a large extent work, create, and live), and people (persons who are needed and willing to help them achieve their one-year goal). Finally, first steps to be taken within one week as well as a coach or mentor to facilitate the process are clearly defined.
During the past 15 years, the process of “daring to dream” and turning those dreams into positive and possible action plans has been successfully implemented with persons who have CCN in the United States by the first presenter. The process has spread to Israel, South Africa, India and Australia and has resulted in many individuals who have been bold enough to dare to dream, to communicate their dreams to others, and to implement dream-centered action plans which have turned their dreams into future realities.
Many others, however, have yet to have the opportunity to engage in the “daring to dream” process. Therefore, we will present a pre-conference workshop for young adults, adults, family members and support personnel called Daring to Dream: An International Workshop that will provide the background and rationale for the process. It will provide a Dream-based Action Plan for individuals who use AAC and a guide for accompanying support persons and professionals to facilitate the process with actual examples of dreams, pictorial representations of these dreams, and dream-centered action plans from a variety of countries and cultures where the process has been implemented.
This pre-conference workshop will provide the information needed to prepare facilitators from developing and developed countries to skillfully, and with cultural sensitivity, guide the process of “daring to dream.” As a result of this workshop, people with complex communication needs from various countries, languages, and cultures will have the opportunity to “dare to dream”, amongst them many who have been denied their right to SPEAK UP and SPEAK OUT!
Professionals and supporters join with an individual with complex communication needs who is bold enough to “dare to dream.” Individuals with complex communication needs who are bold enough to “dare to dream” bring a professional or support person who is committed to supporting you and learning to support others as they “dare to dream.”
Learning Objectives
- The Learner will develop and articulate a personal dream for the future, and will understand the importance of dream-centered planning.
- The Learner will develop a positive and possible one-year goal based on his/her dream; identify needed resources, skills, and people; propose a first step or roll to be taken within a week of returning from ISAAC; and will identify a coach to support taking that first step/roll.
- Accompanying support people and professionals will develop the knowledge and resources needed to implement a culturally sensitive “daring to dream” process with individuals who have complex communication needs in their communities.
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