From 12-16 June 2023, our university, together with partners Polytechnic Institute of Maia (Portugal) and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi (Romania), realised an event called ‘IN SOMEONE’S SHOES’.
During the course, 28 students from Poland, Lithuania, Portugal and Romania gained knowledge of the basic concepts of occupational therapy. They gained experience through theoretical and practical exercises.
Participants took on the roles of people with disabilities and experienced firsthand various barriers and difficulties, as well as tested their abilities and tried to find their way in the new reality. During the workshops, students tried to cope with performing various activities without the use of their arm, leg or sight, moving with the help of a wheelchair, on crutches or with a walker.
The topics covered were closely related to the activities of people with disabilities, i.e.
- Disabled people in EU countries
- Architectural and social barriers and mobility
- Carrying out activities of daily living
- Social and inclusive activation
- Sport and recreation
- Support
The event included components:
- Lectures: statistics, scale, demographics, type of support, accessibility, social communication, cultural context related to disability in the country.
- ”I am stepping into the role” workshops:
- Not fun getting old
- The hour of darkness
- Do it different way
- Mobility and architectural and social barriers
with the cooperation with:
- Active Rehabilitation Foundation, Lower Silesia region
- Power of Help Foundation, https://fundacjamocpomocy.pl/
- Study visits to disability-related institutions:
- Vermeiren Polska, Trzebnica https://www.vermeiren.pl/
- Milicz Association of Friends of Children and People with Disabilities, Milicz http://www.mspdion.org.pl/
- A Daytime Rehabilitation and Educational Center in Milicz, http://www.mspdion.org.pl/srodowiskowy-dom-samopomocy/73
- Milice Support Centre, http://www.mspdion.org.pl/mcw-capitol-osrodek-wczesnej-interwencji/56
- Training flats in Milicz – Good Start to Independent Living, http://www.mspdion.org.pl/mieszkanie/50
- Physical activities taking into account functional limitations
- Tai Chi
- EDUballs
- Accessibility ofpublic places and institutions of culture and leisure on the example of Wrocław – Impressionist exhibition
- Reflective presentation
- Individual reflection questionnaire
The event was organised and implemented by the Erasmus office: the Vice-rector for Science and International Cooperation prof. Małgorzata Słowińska-Lisowska and Monika Ilecka-Folcik Eng.
The classes were led by:
- Dr Dominika Zawadzka – Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, certified occupational therapy teacher (ENOTHE), accessibility coordinator. Organiser of many student volunteering projects, has worked with the Special Olympics for over 10 years.
- Dr Rafał Bugaj – Assistant Professor at the Department of Occupational Therapy at Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, certified teacher of occupational therapy in higher education (ENOTHE), physiotherapist. Cooperates with many institutions in Wrocław in connection with internships and student volunteers.
and guests:
- Dr. Mario Inacio, University of Maia – academic teacher of research methods in the area of motor and adaptation in children with developmental coordination disorders
- Dr Mihai-Alexandru Citea, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași – academic teacher in the field of physiotherapy, biomechanics, neuromotility
- Dr Jeron Vos, Odisee vzw – academic teacher of occupational therapy, member of the Healthcare Research Group in Belgium
- Dr Sara Wawrzyniak, AWF Wrocław – Assistant Professor of Teaching and Research in the Department of Team Sports Games, member of the EDUball/Brainball Team and Dean’s Representative for the Erasmus+ Programme at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport.
They helped us:
- Ms Alicja Szatkowska – President of the Milicz Association of Friends of Children and People with Disabilities
- Ms Irena Sierpińskiej – Manager of the Daytime Rehabilitation and Educational Center
- Ms Agnieszka Szatkowska-Paterek, Director of the Capitol Milice Support Centre
- Mr Paweł Kątnik – Co-ordinator of the Training Apartment
- Mr Jarosław Skotny – representative of VERMEIREN Polska
- Mr Bartosz Kaczmarek – co-founder of the Moc Pomocy Foundation
The event was organised as part of the Erasmus Blended Intensive Programme.
