BY ALICIA FEYERHERM
The first session of the First Responders Art Collaboration Training will be March 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m in the atrium of the Schmidt Art and Design building. This art workshop brings together FHSU students, individuals with cognitive disabilities and local first responders.
“The whole goal of the workshop is to bring people together to create empathy and friendship to create conversations,” Art professor Amy Schmierbach said. “So while we’re making art, the heart of the workshop is just getting to know people who are different.”
Persons with disabilities are two and a half times more likely to experience violence in their life than those without a disability.
“Persons with cognitive disabilities really rely on first responders for help,” Schmierbach said. “Sometimes they may even experience violence when trying to get that assistance because they may be unable to communicate in a way that the first responders can understand.”
This event will help participants get to know each other in a low-pressure environment.
“The Fort Hays student is different than the person with the cognitive disability,” Schmierbach said. They’re also different than maybe the first responders.”
The group will be working on a weaving project. Schmierbach has done this project before when working with individuals with cognitive disabilities and says it’s very accessible.
“It’s not like drawing a picture,” Schmierbach said. “You’re holding a wooden needle and weaving back and forth so it’s a little easier to grip.”
Three other workshops will be held. One on April 5 from 10 a.m. to noon, April 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Thursday April 21 from 10 a.m. to noon.
No art experience is necessary and everyone is welcome to attend.
“The more people you meet, the more stereotypes break down,” Schmierbach says.
Schmierbach hopes to have 40 attendees- 10 persons with cognitive disabilities, 10 first responders the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, Hays Fire Department and Ellis County Emergency Services and then 20 students.
If you would like to participate, email Schmierbach at aschmier@fhsu.edu or scan the QR code on the posters in the art building to fill out a volunteer form.