Beth Foraker 鈥86, Cred. 鈥87, teaches a first-year seminar called 鈥淒isability Studies, Neurodiversity, Mentorship and How To Be An Ally鈥 this quarter. Seminar participants learn how to mentor and ally with students in the , a new residential program for students with intellectual disabilities at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis.
The topic is one that she is very passionate about, as her son, Patrick, has Down syndrome. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e born with an intellectual disability, immediately the world just has low expectations for you,鈥 said Foraker. As the co-founder of the Redwood SEED Scholars Program, she aims to get rid of this preconceived notion.
Seminar participants will use a 鈥渕entor toolkit鈥 and undertake neurodiversity studies, learn about the history of those with intellectual disabilities and aim to better understand the systemic educational barriers people with intellectual disabilities face.
Some of 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis鈥 current mentors come from campus organizations such as Best Buddies, which strives to normalize friendships between those with and without intellectual disabilities. Others are students who have siblings with intellectual disabilities. Some post-doctorate students in psychology and neuroscience are also working as mentors. Foraker said she hopes to recruit around 10 more from her first-year seminar this quarter. Mentor hopefuls will go through special training to guide the Redwood SEED Scholars.
But how can the average student be an ally?
According to Foraker, one of the most important traits an ally can have is an equity mindset. 鈥淵ou have to see this person as an equal member of society who has standing and value as a student here.鈥
An ally should also be okay with discomfort. Things won鈥檛 always be black and white when being an ally for those with intellectual disabilities. There is a lot of grey area, and that grey area can bring about discomfort and uncertainty.
A good ally will be able to seek out needs and solve those needs with creative approaches. Foraker mentioned that one of her mentors came up with guided meditation as a solution for stress management, which helped one student a lot. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool to watch,鈥 said Foraker.
Finally, an ally is willing to be a part of a student鈥檚 network and will even work to expand that network. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 definitely being an ally,鈥 said Foraker, 鈥渂eing willing to welcome them into your network of friends.鈥