Class Act

"I’ve been watching you read,” my classmate Kirk announced loudly one day during a break in our creative writing course. He held out a small, plastic magnifying glass. “Maybe this will help.”

Suppressing a sigh, I explained in the cheerful and matter-of-fact voice I use for such encounters that I had tried a variety of magnifying devices over the years, and my glasses alone continued to be the best solution. Since he seemed unconvinced, I also gave a short explanation of what had caused my visual disability (congenital cataracts). I hoped to demonstrate to Kirk that not only did I cope with my disability well, but that it was no big deal, and it did not significantly detract from my enjoyment of the class or my life. His final remark suggested that I still had a ways to go: “It must be awful!”

Kirk wasn’t the first to be skeptical and he probably won’t be the last – but it doesn’t matter. Over the past few years I’ve taken a lot of courses, and each one, from Piano to Mathematics for Everyday Life, has stimulated and energized me more then the last. I love to learn and I want everyone around me to join in the fun.

I coach a life skills class for people with disabilities, and with each group of students I do a lesson called “Getting Out and Doing Stuff.” We discuss part-time jobs and volunteering, but spend most of the time talking about my personal favourite: recreational learning.

This includes everything from upgrading your accounting skills to learning how to make puff pastry. Why take a class? Any chance we get to move out of our comfort zone, take a few risks and do something completely new (and yes, initially frightening) enriches our lives. The Canadian Health Network says, “Adults who continue to stimulate their minds through lifelong learning programs report many benefits which include: increased quality of life, enhanced self-esteem and reduced social isolation.”

Bonnie Quesnel, who has muscular dystrophy and uses a motorized wheelchair, has taken classes as diverse as Mexican cooking, genealogy and conversational French. “I like to learn and be with people,” she says, “and taking courses is a fun way to get out and try something new.” When asked how she accommodates her disability, Quesnel says, “I find out if the location is accessible, then I just book paratransit and go.” She says she doesn’t usually disclose her disability ahead of time and that being accepted and feeling like part of the group has never been a problem.

Finding the time, energy and money to become involved in recreational learning is challenging for anyone, but especially for people with disabilities who often have limited physical and financial resources. But it isn’t impossible. Imagination, planning and determination can get you on the road to all kinds of opportunities.

CHOOSING A CLASS

Think about the things that interest you, or that you might enjoy learning. Your choices will depend on where you live. Most Canadian municipalities have extensive recreational opportunities, and larger cities will have activities specifically for people with disabilities. Colleges and universities offer similar classes (and the credits may apply to certificates, diplomas or degrees). School boards and ministries of education also have learning opportunities beyond high-school credit courses. The library is a great place to find out what’s available.

TIME FACTOR

Think about the time commitment you’re willing to make, both in terms of the length of course (you can take everything from a two-hour workshop to classes that run for several months) and hours spent on travel and homework. This is especially important if your disability affects your energy level, or if you use alternative transit to get around.

MONEY MATTERS

Most people with disabilities live on a fixed income, so a course or class that has a fee can be a significant expense and may require careful budgeting. As well, remember to figure in other costs, such as the price of books, supplies and transportation.

The most expensive activities are the ones offered by the continuing education departments at colleges and universities and for-profit businesses, such as fitness clubs and dance studios. You can often find similar classes at much lower prices or at no charge through other sources in your community. Activities run by boards of education, city recreation departments and libraries or the YMCA are less expensive, and these providers are most likely to offer discounts or subsidies for people on limited incomes. Don’t be afraid to ask. Support groups for various disabilities, First Nations band councils and service clubs might also help out with fees. The trick is finding this assistance and getting funding organized well before the class or activity starts. Be prepared to disclose information about your disability and your finances.

Sometimes you can trade your volunteer time for classes. Many yoga studios, for example, offer “energy exchanges” – students help out at the studio a few hours a week and receive classes in return. If you’re able to contribute your time and skill, propose a trade. A colleague of mine traded a year of website maintenance (her specialty) for a quilting course she couldn’t afford. Be creative about funding – someone else I know asks his parents to give him painting classes for Christmas and his birthday.

ACCESSIBILITY AND LOCATION

Plan before you enrol. My first attempt at recreational learning was a course called “Discovering Your Inner Child.” It began in October. I loved the first four classes. The day before the fifth one a huge storm dumped several centimetres of snow on our city. The location, previously just inconvenient as it was not on a bus route, had become almost unreachable. As I struggled in the dark through knee-high drifts along the edge of a busy street with no sidewalk, I realized it had also become positively dangerous. I spent that class dreading the walk home, which was equally harrowing, and didn’t return. Now I never sign up for anything unless I know exactly where it is and how I will get there. People who use wheelchairs or scooters should find out if the building where the class will be held is accessible, including the washrooms.

PREPARE YOURSELF PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY

When I started yoga, my biggest concern (after whether I’d be able to bend my body into all those incredible poses), was whether I’d be accepted by the staff and other participants. It was my first foray into anything recreational in years. As it turned out, I had nothing to worry about. How I acted and reacted set the tone for how others treated me.

Be ready to explain how you will do whatever needs to be done. Don’t just show up expecting to be accommodated. If you are bringing a guide dog or an attendant or assistant, alert the instructor before the first class. If you need modifications, be ready to explain it to the teacher – in front of the class. If your needs are complex, get as much information as you need before you register.

Karen Horner, who has severe asthmatic reactions to synthetic scents, has taken many courses and says that most instructors have been very good about accommodating her once she explained the situation. However, she also realizes that when attending a course she is responsible for keeping herself safe, and employs coping strategies such as attending evening classes (when perfume and cologne are usually not as strong), talking to classmates about the problems scents create for her, and sitting near an exit so she can leave quickly, if necessary.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A KIRK

Be prepared for the people who project their preconceived notions and stereotypes onto you. Don’t be angry – be ready to educate them. Remember that their beliefs about your abilities and limitations come not from malice, but from lack of experience and an inability to imagine themselves in your shoes. Think of it as part of the recreational learning process. Not only are you practising your own communication skills, but you’re also helping someone learn something new.

Though my point might have been lost on Kirk, the value of that encounter was not lost on me. Kirk, and people like him, can never take away the confidence, self-reliance, independence and pure enjoyment recreational learning has given me. Talking to the Kirks of the world also reminds me how lucky I am to be out in the community learning and growing.

Avril Rinn is a freelance writer living, learning and working in London, Ontario.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

To find out about classes and courses in your area, visit:

* The public library

* The recreation department of your town or city

* The website of your local university or community college

* The YMCA (www.ymca.ca), which has a lot more to offer than fitness activities.

* The Learning Annex (www.learningannex.com) offers thousands of seminars, lectures, workshops and classes on a wide variety of subjects each year in seven Canadian cities.

If you’re unable to leave home to attend classes, visit these websites to learn more about distance education.

* www.athabascau.ca

Athabasca University offers degree programs that can be entirely completed through distance studies.

* www.schoolnet.ca

Schoolnet is a Government of Canada site that provides thousands of learning resources, including links to distance and online learning.

* http://www.worldwidelearn.com Worldwide Learn lists thousands of online courses.