HRMA INSIGHT

July – September 2004
Human Resource Management Association of Southwest Florida
2003 Pinnacle Award Winner

According to the 2000 US Census, one in every five Americans has been diagnosed with some type of disability! Every day, all of us will share our schools or workplace with someone that has a physical, mental or learning disability.

Now, organizations in Southwest Florida seeking to develop and build diversity awareness and sensitivity in their daily work or educational environment have a new resource to draw upon - the Sensitivity Awareness Workshop, Inc. This
hands-on Workshop educates individuals about people with physical, mental, and learning disabilities. It also encourages an organizational culture of empathy towards those with disabilities.

Lisa Cronin Miller developed the Workshop as a result of how ‘typical’ students mistreated her daughter Rachel and other Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classmates at a school dance in August 2003. “It was devastating”, says Lisa. “I thought if I could share with them the circumstances surrounding Rachel’s life and give them each an opportunity to experience and ‘walk-in-the-shoes’ of someone with a disability, then they would look at Rachel and others like her in a new and compassionate way.” The Workshop does just that through the use of specially designed interactive task centers that simulate disabilities.

“At some point in our life we all come in contact with a person that has a disability,” says Lisa. “While they may be ‘different,’ we need to demonstrate compassion and empathy, not pity or sympathy. Our goal is to change one heart at a time and that is exactly what the Workshop is accomplishing.” Thousands of people have experienced the Workshop.

The Sensitivity Awareness Workshop, Inc. vision is to expand the scope of the program from the 1st - 12th grade education system to higher education, local government and businesses throughout Southwest Florida.

To learn more about the Workshop, visit www.sawoneheart.com

SAW of SWFL, Inc. is a Florida 501(c)3 Non Profit Corporation. All gifts of cash or securities are fully tax deductible under IRS law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.
© 2003 Sensitivity Awareness Workshop of Southwest Florida, Inc. All Rights Reserved.