More information
Description
In this project we deal with equal educational opportunities for children with sensory integration disorders. The project is implemented in in selected kindergartens and schools in the City of Cracow. Sensory processing problems are common in children. Despite growing awareness of this topic, it is not yet widely known. It is still a common belief in the society that children who are hyperactive and react to stimuli more strongly than their peers are naughty or badly behaved, and that children who avoid stimuli are spoiled or lazy. Adults often punish and reprimand these children, reinforcing the children''s exclusionary mechanisms. As a result, these children are often rejected by the group. The school or kindergarten building is often a discriminating factor. Loud bells, disastrous acoustics, harsh lighting or lack of opportunities for soundproofing, make it difficult for children with sensory integration disorders to understand information and instructions, and make them overstimulated and stressed. Measurements carried out in 2017 at a school in Warsaw by the Central Institute for Labour Protection showed that the average sound level often exceeded the maximum noise level for juvenile workers (80 dB). Peak levels reached up to 115 dB! As part of the project we will conduct training for teachers, parents and grandparents. We will evaluate the educational facilities and develop guidelines and tools to prevent discrimination. We will provide the specialist support needed to initiate and sustain change. We will conduct workshops on identification and communication of needs for children. The direct beneficiaries of the project are children aged 3-15 with sensory integration disorders, their parents, carers, teaching and pedagogical staff. Indirect beneficiaries are people interested in the topic who will come across information about the project through publications on websites and social media.