Continuing on as students of another culture, the ISEF Conference in Lima Peru is providing us a wealth of opportunities to learn about special education around the world. There are several thriving examples of how Latin American countries are serving people with disabilities. Peru and Brazil are especially impressive. Peru, for example, has verified through their last census that 41.1 % of 15 year olds do not read or write. 24% have only a primary education. Of children with disabilities receiving an education, only 3% are children in rural settings. This highlights the need to proactively reach out and serve children in the countryside and those in indigenous communities. Peru has an amazing project do to just that. Through the Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru (CASP), a special education center in Lima, there is successful long distance training, complete with an excellent model for follow up and evaluation of their efforts. To date, they have trained 1764 participants within 82 groups throughout the country by using video training tools, mentorship, and practical application with children. This train the trainer technique has a great multiplying effect on surrounding communities as well. We have much to glean from their well crafted service delivery model.
Maggie Morales has joined me to represent the CITTI Project at this international venue. Together, we presented about the adaptations created in collaboration with the communities in Ecuador over the past two years. We shared examples of hand-made splints, adapted toys, adapted books, communication boards and education materials. This focus also gave us an opportunity to share the concept of our Visual Guide, our photo-based resource currently being developed for publication. We also had a chance to invite others to follow our journey this year via the blog.
We were especially pleased to present in a room here at the Hotel Delfines, with an auspicious audience that included live animal totems. While we presented, dolphins swam past the windows of this unique room built with an underwater view! The dolphin totem is about balance, harmony, and communication. This must be why they showed so much approval of the CITTI Project!
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Bridgett
