Popular Educ
ation: Creat
ing A
Space Where
We Can All
Participate!
A presentation
by the Nation
al
Youth Leadersh
ip Network
Youth-to-Youth
Training
What is NYLN? A youth-led, youth-run national organization that serves as a voice for and network of young leaders with disabilities.
Our members are youth and young adults with disabilities (age 16-28) and allies (siblings, friends, parents, teachers, etc.).
You can register to be an NYLN member at www.nyln.org. As a member you will get great info and be connected to other young leaders and allies around the country.
IMAGE: Picture of the NYLN logo. It has a hand imprint on it, and it reads: National Youth Leadership Network.
Beliefs of Popular
Education
Popular education was started in Brazil. The Spanish definition means “education of the people.”
This approach shifts power of learning/teaching from one lecturer to the whole group teaching itself.
People-driven focus means it is used a lot in social-change work.
It is good for youth with disabilities because it uses different learning styles.
Facilitators play an important role. Facilitation responsibilities usually rotate.
Everyone’s experiences are
important.
Everyone is BOTH a teacher and a
learner.
Everything we need to know we can learn from the people and world around us.
Examples of Popular Education ToolsStory Circles
Body Movement Activities
Song/Music/Poetry
Writing
All of these are done in Safe Space!IMAGE: A man moves freely to express himself.
What is Safe Space? Questions to ask yourself:
What do you need to be physically in a space?
What do you need to be included and to contribute?
What do you need to be your whole, beautiful, best self?
How can we build a space where everyone has that together?
How can we make space accessible?
IMAGE: A girl feeling calm.
What Do We Need in a Space?
Safe Space begins with accessibility:
Accessibility means how easy something is to use. It can be related to disability (like wheelchair accessibility).
Some accommodations for people with disabilities:
• Braille or large print • Sign language interpreters• Ramps and elevators• Scent-free spaces
IMAGE: A student using Braille.
Accessibility GuidelinesOther needs may be:
• Time alone/quiet space or extra timeTime alone/quiet space or extra time• Use of different learning stylesUse of different learning styles• Language translation servicesLanguage translation services• Being careful about “triggers” Being careful about “triggers” • Room for personal care attendantsRoom for personal care attendants• Planning to have programs near each other Planning to have programs near each other for people who get tiredfor people who get tired
• Mentorship for people new to a spaceMentorship for people new to a spaceStipends [money for participating], childcare, food, no-hate safe space, trigger warnings, transportation, direct support
What Else Does Safe Space Provide Us?Accessibility also goes beyond disability needs.
All people need things to participate. Thinking and talking about accessibility makes it so everyone can participate. It shows that everyone is valuable and has a voice that should be heard.
IMAGE: A woman sitting in a wheelchair kissing a child on the forehead.
Details of Popular Education Tools:Use a story circle:
People divide up into small groups. Each person has 3 minutes to answer a question. Sometimes it’s called a “prompt.”
The prompt might be: What is a time you were discriminated against?
After everyone tells their stories, the facilitator helps weave the stories together with the larger group.
People can see things that we have in common and can talk about how discrimination works.
IMAGE: People are sitting in a circletelling each other their stories.
Explanation of Story Circle Activity
The story circle activity gets people thinking about their personal experiences. Then everyone can see how they are associated with each other and feel connected to a larger group.
Maybe they could have reached the same conclusion by someone explaining discrimination. But this way is more powerful because everyone has a chance to connect different stories to his/her own life.
This way can also be more accessible than someone lecturing because different learning styles are included.
IMAGE: An artistic picture of two people learning.
Questions Popular Education Thinks About:
What do you need to be physically in a space?
What do you need to be included and contributing?
What do you need to be your whole beautiful best self?
How can we build a space where everyone has that? Together?
IMAGE: People standing in a circle and holding hands. Some people are standing on a cliff, others are in the sky.
For more information, or to For more information, or to become a member, contact become a member, contact
us:us:
National Youth Leadership National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN)Network (NYLN)
www.nyln.org
1-866-480-65651-866-480-6565