Disability Awareness is a course based on getting to know your own disability, taking ownership, and being able to seek out accommodations and resources as an adult. In addition, students will also understand the purpose of disability disclosure and practice disclosure in order to receive appropriate accommodations, contact community partners and describe their disability to others with confidence. This course helps prepare students for self-advocating in the community and at the workplace.
On January 29th, our disability awareness classes met Tyler Schrenk. About eight years ago Tyler was in an accident that resulted in him becoming quadriplegic and now manages his life with a disability in completely different ways. Tyler is an incredible inspiration and a great role model of how best to be a clear communicator. He is the CEO of Assistive Technologies Consulting the President and Executive Director of the Tyler Schrenk Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit organization focused on independence and assistive technologies. He is also on multiple boards and advisory committees including the (TSF) Harborview Assistive Technology Advisory Board and the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program Advisory Board.
Tyler lives independently and uses all sort of technology to assist himself, including products such as Xbox One, Kinect, Echo, a Surface Pro tablet, speech recognition software, eye tracking software, and he has vast experience using many other Assistive Technologies to be independent.
Equally as impressive as the technology was Tyler ‘s emphasis on the importance of clear communication. He shared how he needs to be direct and upfront with professionals, friends, care givers, and family members each day. When you have a disability, you need to understand it and share the essential information with others so they can best understand you and accommodate you if need be. He also stressed the importance of people with disabilities being able to educate those around them with information about disabilities that otherwise would go unknown.
Disability Awareness is a transformative course for our students. It’s a challenge to research your disability, start talking about it, and seek out accommodations for it. There are challenges contacting local community agencies that provide service and supports for adults with disabilities. Students sometimes enter this class scared to talk about their own needs and issues and come out the other side with more confidence and self-awareness.
Here’s what students had to say about Tyler’s visit:
“Tyler was very inspirational, never saw a person with a spinal cord injury speak before.” ~Erin
“Nobody knows your disability unless you state it, so they can help you. Tyler was cool and shows a lot about what our world is not showing.” ~Evelynn
“Tyler was funny and friendly and used technology to do all sorts of regular day things.” ~Sabine
“I like that he could go do anything, even go skydiving even though he had a disability.” ~Emma
“You should tell others about your disability, not be shy about it!” ~Samantha
Disability Awareness is one of the many courses OLS Students take to obtain their associate degree from OLS. More information about our curriculum is available on our website. To learn more about our program register for an Information Session.
To learn more about Tyler Schrenk, check out his Public Speaker promotional video.
Last Updated February 25, 2020