‘Why can’t I do this?’ Lorain teachers use simulations to step into the shoes of students with disabilities

LORAIN, Ohio — Lorain City Schools has given its educators an opportunity to do more than read about disabilities — but to actually experience them.

Intervention specialists from the district recently participated in a Decoding Disabilities professional development session, hosted by the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Lorain County. The immersive training allowed educators to navigate simulations representing visual, hearing and speech impairments, as well as emotional, cognitive and developmental disabilities, according to a news release.

The goal of the training is to provide insight that helps educators understand what students might be feeling in the classroom, according to Elizabeth Striegl, educational audiologist with the ESC of Lorain County.

“Every educator needs to unders