Disability simulations do more harm than good According to a recent study, disability simulations are not only ineffective but are also detrimental to helping able-bodied people understand new perspectives. Examples of such simulations include wearing blindfolds to imitate blindness, using earplugs to replicate deafness, and navigating indoors and outdoors using a wheelchair. A study by Professor Michelle Nario-Redmond, however, published in the journal Rehabilitation Psychology, found that such brief experiences caused participants to underestimate the true capabilities of those with a disability. Nario-Redmond and others have suggested that focusing on issues related to environmental accessibility would be a more beneficial direction for future research.
Source: sciencenewsline.com
Zulu P: Hip Hop and disability acceptance Zulu P is a recently formed rap group whose members include three MCs and one DJ living with developmental disabilities. The group provides a unique spin on the hip-hop community with a style that brings back old-school hip hop, along with some flares of party rap. A nice addition to the performance and music-video scene!
Source: elitedaily.com
Quick Fact: More than a billion people have a disability According to a recent study, about 15 per cent of the world’s population live with a disability. The increasing rate of disabilities has been linked to population increase and the rise in chronic health diseases.
Source: who.int G
Art evolution and Autism Accurate depictions of bears, bison, horses and lions can be found on the walls of many Ice Age archaeological sites. Some historians believe that the extraordinary detail in the art came from the influence of psychedelic plants consumed by early humans, which accelerated creativity. A new study from York University has proposed another theory, suggesting that individuals with “detail focus,” a trait linked to autism, can be credited for artistic cave drawings. The study’s authors believe that psychedelics would only enhance performance if the artists had a pre-existing high degree of talent. There is even some speculation in the scientific community that autism has also played a role in advancing technology, including creating complex tools from materials such as bone, rock and wood.
Source: York University
Going to Pot Licensed marijuana producers in Canada are concerned about the thousands of kilograms of expired weed that’s being thrown out. A marijuana production company called Hydropothecary claims that half of its annual produce is discarded. Experts suggest, however, that some of this product could be useful for scientific research, hemp clothing or housing siding. It’s even possible to use the THC extract to make delicious drinks, as seen in marijuana stores in California and Colorado. To decrease waste, business owners intend to lobby Health Canada for legislation that provides guidelines on what to do with leftover weed.
Source: globalnews.ca
