For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2009
Contact:
Libby Raiford at (423) 648-6096, lfr@cdmfun.org or
Carla Campbell at (423) 648-6054, cbc@cdmfun.org
(Photos available)
"Kids Like You, Kids Like Me" Exhibit
Opens Oct. 10 at Creative Discovery Museum
Media Preview Oct. 9
Kids Like You, Kids Like Me is designed to break down barriers and raise awareness about disabilities. Now in its eleventh year, the exhibit offers children and their parents the chance to experience a day in the life of a child with a disability. Kids Like You, Kids Like Me is a partnership between Siskin Children's Institute and Creative Discovery Museum. The Museum will present the exhibit October 10th – November 8th. The exhibit and programming are sponsored by Unum.
"Allowing kids to experience what it's like to have a disability takes away some of the mystery. It shows them that children with and without disabilities are much more alike than they are different. The message is that kids with disabilities do what other kids do -- including having fun -- they just do it a little differently," said Dr. Jayne Griffin, Director of Education at Creative Discovery Museum.
The exhibit features hands-on simulations within school and home settings, including a playground, classroom, a bedroom and kitchen. “By showing how children with disabilities do things at home and school, the exhibit gives children a little taste of what having a disability may be like,” explains Julie Mickel, Training and Outreach Specialist at Siskin Children’s Institute. “Children learn that having a disability doesn't stop them from playing basketball, doing puzzles, or cooking with mom. Children learn about the different technologies and devices that help, such as a basketball with bells inside. A child with a vision disability may play better with this type of basketball.”
Over 15,000 children and adults have experienced the exhibit in school tours alone and even more have seen it through general admission to the Museum. The Museum offers free school tours on a first-come, first serve basis to grades K-5. Students not only tour the exhibit, but also have a question-and-answer session with a person who has a disability, enjoy a skit by Kids on the Block, and participate in a special hands-on art lesson.
Kids Like You, Kids Like Me requires about 170 volunteers giving a total of over 415 hours in only one month’s time. In addition to individuals, many local organizations and schools contribute corporately to the volunteer effort. “We simply could not offer these school tours without the help of volunteers,” states Kate Skonberg, Volunteer Manager for Creative Discovery Museum. “Each tour involves 10-12 volunteers, and they work to explain the exhibit components to the kids and reinforce the exhibit’s message.” Ms. Skonberg adds, “Professionals, students, and individuals get to enjoy working with children and learning about adaptive equipment while gaining a better understanding of disabilities and how people of all abilities can enjoy the same activities.“
"I think Chattanooga is making progress in disability awareness, and I would like to think that this exhibit has been a part of that change," said Dr. Griffin.
"The biggest 'aha moment' that people have is when they realize there are so many things they can do, even with the simulated disability," she continues. "They can work a puzzle, make art or even climb a mountain when they're blind. They can operate a computer using their head instead of their hands.”
"The change needs to start with kids," she added. "They are very open to approaching people who are different from them in a way that goes beyond the differences.”
About Siskin Children’s Institute
For information on training opportunities and disability resources, contact Siskin Children’s Institute by calling (423) 648-1761 or visiting www.siskin.org. Located in downtown Chattanooga, Siskin Children’s Institute is a leader in serving children with special needs, their families and the professionals who touch their lives.
About Creative Discovery Museum
From September 8 through November 30, the Museum will be open Monday through Saturday (except Wednesday) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Closed Wednesday. Tickets are $9.95 for children and adults. Creative Discovery Museum is located at 321 Chestnut Street in downtown Chattanooga.
For information on Kids Like You, Kids Like Me, call (423) 756-2738. The Kids Like You, Kids Like Me exhibit gallery is fully accessible.
Creative Discovery Museum is recognized as one of the top children’s museums in the nation. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to educational enrichment for children ages 4-months to 12-years-old through interactive, hands-on experiences that foster creative and critical thinking. Creative Discovery Museum focuses on a broad range of areas encompassed by Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Technology and the Sciences. In addition to its exhibits, Creative Discovery Museum provides local residents and visitors with special events, educational programming, teacher resources for the classroom, field trips, after school programming, early childhood education classes, artist residencies, camps, art lessons, science demonstrations, and a branch of the local library. Creative Discovery Museum is a funded agency of Allied Arts and Tennessee Arts Commission and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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