two big things we felt were reason to point out were
1. Transportation
make sure you know where you are going, when you are going, how you are going. it starts getting darker earlier as we get closer to winter so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. don't be afraid to ask someoen from your placement to walk you to your car or wait for a bus with you.
2. Site
know the precautions/safey procedures your individual site may have, if any, and adhere to them. If you feel threatened in anyway be sure to tell prof dalke and nell anderson, so that they are aware of the situation, they may have helpful advice about making the situation less comfortable
*understand that at your placements, people may be sharing PERSONAL stories and information with you.
*remember that the people you will be working with have to be at the placement longer and more frequently than you will be there. therefore, confidentiality rules should apply both within your placement and outide of your placement.
*keep in mind your own rights to confidentiality. you dont have to answer anything or share information about your personal life that you are uncomfortable sharing.
*if you choose to share a story, please refrain from using specifics, esp. names, that would reveal a person's identity.
***ABOVE ALL: if you are unsure as to whether something is "confidential", ALWAYS ASK. for example, feel free to ask the individual if it would be ok if you shared their story (no names, no revealing specifics) with the class and explain why you think it is an important and valuable story to share with others. tell the story based on the person's resopnse.
The attitude one should go into praxis with.
Respect and know boundaries ö know how t o approach people. Do not force things
Respect people you are working for
Keep an open mind **
Don't use it as your therapy session
Be available
Check your bad day at the door
Be a good listener
Remember you are there to learn.
Name: Anne Dalke
Username: adalke@brynmawr.edu
Subject: Sex Ed for Deaf Teens
Date: 2002-10-21 11:54:54
Message Id: 3296
Comments:
Those of you whose praxis sites are Planned Parenthood and the Overbrook School for the Blind may have a particular interest in the article in the Inquirer Magazine yesterday (10/20/02), "Christine Gannon: A sex educator reaches out to deaf teens":
"For Christine Gannon, sexuality education is a hands-on matter. Part of her job at Planned Parenthood involves visiting classes...at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Germantown and introducing them...to the mysteries of puberty, sex and reproduction....'there's a really strong need for general sexuality education in the deaf community....children may not get the same exposure to information that a hearing 9-, 10- or 11-year-old would have'....Now, w/ a master's degree in human sexuality from the University of Pennsylvania, Gannon hopes to see Planned Parenthood's Deafness and Sexuality Institute progam expand to other schools for the deaf....."
Anne
SAFETY
1. Make sure you know where you are going, when you are going, how you will travel to your site. It starts getting darker earlier as we get closer to winter so make sure you
give yourself plenty of time. Don't be afraid to ask someone from your placement
to walk you to your car or wait for a bus with you.
2. Know the precautions/safety procedures your individual site may have and
adhere to them. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened in any way be sure to tell Prof Dalke and Nell Anderson, so that they are aware of the situation; they may have helpful
advice about making the situation less comfortable.
3. Do not give a client a ride in your car unless the person is authorized for transport. Do not transport a child by yourself.
ETIQUETTE
1. Dress appropriately--look at other volunteers for examples.
2. Show up on time and call if you anticipate lateness. Call as much in advance as possible if for some reason you are not able to make it that week. Do not cancel or change your time unless it is for an urgent reason.
3. Treat the organization and its members with respect. Keep in mind the ideas
and practices of the organization when expressing your viewpoint--some may be radically different than your own.
4. Keep work life separate from personal life in necessary instances. For
example, giving clients your number is a generally bad idea. If they need to get in touch with you, tell them to go through the administrator/supervisor who can dial for them.
CONFIDENTIALITY
1. Understand that at your placements, people may be sharing PERSONAL stories and
information with you.
2. Respect the privacy of all clients. If you are privy to confidential information with regard to persons with whom you are working, i.e. organizational files, diagnostics, personal stories, etc., it is vital that you treat this information as privileged and private. You should use pseudonyms in referring to this information in your course assignments.
3.Keep in mind your own rights to confidentiality. You don't have to answer
anything or share information about your personal life that you are
uncomfortable sharing.
ATTITUDE
1.Show respect for the organization for which you work and for the individuals who are the staff and clients of that organization.
2. Remember that you are there to learn.
3. Don't use your placement as your therapy session. Maintain boundaries between personal life and work life.
4.Check your bad day at the door. Try to maintain a positive attitude and energy level, even when you are tired.
5. Keep an open mind. ***
6. Be flexible. Things may not work out exactly as planned at your fieldsite. Try to take advantage of all learning opportunities and to be helpful in meeting the organization's needs.