(ANS - San Luis) - Today, 13 November, we remember Blessed Artemide Zatti, Salesian brother, who spent his entire life caring for those most in need. Faithful to the example of the patron of their Province, the Salesians of the Northern Province of Argentina continue to promote the values ​​of integration, and to remove all barriers to access for people with difficulties.

On 9 November for example, at the Don Bosco Institute in San Luis, there was a training session for school students, given by authorities and experts in the field of social inclusion.

Gaston Hissa, Minister for Health and Social Inclusion of the Province of San Luis, said that "There is a policy that is becoming widespread in schools to convey the values ​​related to inclusion." In this case he explained that the "Programme for the protection and promotion of people with disabilities" is designed to provide a day of awareness on the subject, based on direct experience. "The goal is for the students to take the perspective of those who live with a disability and find out if the city or area they are living in shows understanding and care for those who have a disability."

At the opening session the specialists from the Ministry asked for three students who would volunteer to spend part of the day blindfolded and then describe the experience to their peers. They said, "When we meet a blind person we must always introduce ourselves and ask them if they need help," Then they gave some examples of how to work with the blind or those who are in a wheelchair. They pointed out that when someone is in a wheelchair you should bend down to their level and not force them to look up all the time in order to converse.  

In general, it was stressed that we need to put ourselves in other people’s shoes if we are to become aware of the physical, cultural and communication barriers that make life difficult for them, and eliminate these barriers.

Published 13/11/2015