Experience day with people with disabilities

Laughing together, sharing joy, and sharing experiences—this is what Social Work students were able to experience together with residents of the Kemnitz residential home as part of the project study for the SWb16 class.

Through the project “Improving Living Conditions for People with Disabilities,” the students got to know the residents, caregivers, and the Diakoniewerk building in the area, located between Löbau and Görlitz. The project-based assignment and the students’ motivation—in addition to acquiring legal and technical knowledge on the topic—was to design and plan the experiential day.

The event took place on June 12, 2018, on the grounds of the Görlitz Aviation Sports Club e.V. Accompanied by the home director, Mr. Kern, and caregiver Ms. Penther, the group of 15 residents visited the 16 students to enjoy cake and coffee or tea together after a musical icebreaker. Afterward, everyone was invited to actively participate at the various stations and express themselves artistically. Participants were able to express their creativity through bag printing, test their accuracy at a can-tossing game, and find relaxation by the cool water as well as in the cozy relaxation room.

After a cozy evening winding down with grilled specialties, everyone had the chance to share their experiences, and then it was time for everyone to say “goodbye” with a musical send-off.

Without the tremendous support of the following volunteers, the adventure day would not have been possible. The participating students would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Diakoniewerk Oberlausitz e.V., the Rotary Club, the Lions Club Zittau, Sparkasse Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien, the Roman Otto Pastry Shop, the Timm Weißkeißel Physical Therapy Practice, the musician Robert Bild, the Red Cross Store in Görlitz, as well as our instructors Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fichna and Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Worbs.