Breaking Barriers: Biographies
Barrier breaking Biographies
Time: 1 class period
Learning Objectives:
Students will research individuals who broke barriers presented by disabilities.
Possible: research methods and citing sources if desired.
Possible: public speaking or presentation design
Materials:
Internet-connected devices for student research
{Note: This lesson works well in conjunction with Breaking Barriers.]
STEPS:
With a partner, talk about someone you admire or consider a hero. What makes them deserving of admiration?
Share out. Make a list on the board of qualities that make a hero.
Research: Learn more about a person alive today who is changing the way the world sees people with disabilities. Students should choose from the list of people below or find another person who interests them. Depending on the level of the students, you can use the links provided or ask them to research on their own, incorporating lessons on internet credibility and citing sources. Teachers choose the format of presentation depending on the learning goals. This could be public speaking, presentation design, or discussion leading.
People Who Are Breaking Barriers
Image credit: International Canoe Federation
After losing both legs in a train accident at age 17, Pascale Bercovitch went on to become a documentary director, writer, and a world- class athlete in swimming and rowing.
Find out more about Pascale here.
Image source: RayCharles.com
Ray Charles is one of the most well-known jazz & blue musicians of all time who lost his vision by the age of 7 due to glaucoma.
Find out more about Ray Charles here.
Image credit: Erikeweihenmeyer.com
Erik Weihenmeyer is a former middle school teacher who became the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest, along with several of the world’s other major peaks.
Find out more about Erik here.
Image credit: Howtheyplay.com
Natalie du Tout, who lost one of her legs in a car accident in 2001, competes against able-bodied swimmers and qualified for the 2008 Olympics. Learn more at www.nataliedutoit.com/.
Find out more about Natalie here.
Image credit: Alchetron.com
Sabriye Tenberken is a blind woman from Germany who started a school for blind children in Tibet and invented a Braille system for their language.
OTHER OPTIONS Chen Guangcheng | Homer | Lemon Jefferson | Kakuichi | Helen Keller | Shi Kuang | Jacques Lusseyran | John Milton | Claude Monet | Claude Montal | Abraham Nemeth | David Paterson | Marla Runyan | Ralph Teetor | Sabriye Tenberken | Ostap Veresai | Doc Watson | Stevie Wonder Alicia Alonso | David Blunkett | Andrea Bocelli | Turlough Carolan | Arizona Dranes | José Feliciano | Ray Charles | Elizabeth Goldring
EXTENSION/DISCUSSION
Using a world map, find where each person lived. If one part of the world is represented more often than others, what do you think the historical or economical reasons could be?
How easy or difficult would breaking barriers in London? What factors would contribute to your success or failure in areas you're interested in
Which job, skill, or reason for being well-known shows up most often on the list? Why do you think it is so frequent?