THE EMPATHY AND INTEGRATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

The empathy can play crucial role in process of integration of disabled children in educational process. In framework of project Sport as mechanism for early integration, we investigated how empathy can make the process of integration easier and more efficient. We have organized a workshop in which students of High School at Velenje performed simulation of everyday situations, which are simple for regular population, but very difficult for people with disabilities. Students had for example to do some activities using only one arm, or have to do something with closed eyes. After those exercises the participants had to answer questionnaire. Most of them answered that after doing the simulation they understand better the students with disabilities and that performing such simulation can make integration of children with disabilities. Students suggested that it will be very useful to organize simulations every year in each class.