A Different, Different World Stuns Attendees
On March 25, 2019, The Department of Social Work collaborated with the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) to bring the Different, Different World program to NC State campus.
The Different, Different World program aimed to improve attendee’s communication skills and provide knowledge of deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing people’s challenges in everyday society. The DSDHH accomplished this by simulating these disabilities and exposing attendees to a world filled with communication barriers.
The program began by placing attendees at one of the seven available stations. These stations ranged from eyesight/hearing impairment simulations to basic sign language instruction.
One station (as seen below) used goggles to hinder the eyesight of participants while they attempted to write. Despite their best efforts, the majority of people found the task incredibly challenging!
Different, Different World even featured a station on adapted household technology for those with eyesight/hearing impairments. These items included various telephones, alarm clocks, and other common items most people use on a daily basis.
The program ended with a brief question and answer session by Lisa Fowler, NC State student and DSDHH Intern. Participants noted that they found the experience to be enlightening to the issues that many deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing people face daily.
Thank you to the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for conducting this amazing program! The Department of Social Work hopes to partner with the DSDHH again in the future to continue to educate NC State students and to help create a more informed future.
For helpful resources and more information on the NC DSDHH, please visit their website.
