Teaching about perspectives that students have never had to experience can be a challenge. For social work professor Roy Hanes, this happens almost every single class鈥攁nd he loves it.

Hanes is an associate professor at 杏吧原创 specializing in disability studies. He鈥檚 been involved in the Ottawa disabled community for 35 years, which has allowed him to build up a list of almost 40 guest speakers for his classes.

鈥淪ince the first class I鈥檝e taught, I鈥檝e always had people from the community involved,鈥� Hanes says.

The majority of his students are able-bodied and teaching about disabilities, something his students might not have ever experienced, is difficult with only textbooks. So Hanes decided to let people from the disability groups he works with tell their own stories.

鈥淗aving presenters come adds to the theory because they鈥檙e experts in their own lives. The research and the literature are one thing, but it鈥檚 quite different when you have someone in your class,鈥� he says.

The guest speakers vary widely, from mothers raising children with disabilities to romantic partners with disabilities, parents with disabilities, and men and women who are deaf.

鈥淢y tent is always very broad,鈥� Hanes says.

Field experts are also brought in, with professional social workers and people who work with disability legislation lending structural perspectives to the class.

One of the most memorable guests Hanes brought in was a former student of his who performed comedy skits about disabilities. Hanes says at first students were hesitant about laughing, but once they became more comfortable, they allowed themselves to enjoy it.

When his students aren鈥檛 listening to guest speakers, they鈥檙e completing assignments that challenge society鈥檚 portrayal of disabilities. Hanes has students critique films like Finding Nemo and Beauty and the Beast and perform accessibility audits of their communities.

Hanes says helping students take a critical look at disabilities has been transformative and his students鈥� attitudes toward persons with disabilities changes dramatically throughout the course.

These enthusiastic changing attitudes seem to stretch across all of Hanes鈥� classes with the 鈥渋ncredibly positive鈥� feedback he receives from students, who say they love to learn about new perspectives.

鈥淗ere鈥檚 an opportunity every week for students to spend an hour and a half with people who have multiple impairments and learn about people’s experiences,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey leave with a different understanding of impairment and disability.鈥�