The school’s first ever “Differences Day,” orchestrated by school psychologist Heather Lucian with the generous assistance of Junior Girl Scout Troop 651 of the Girl Scouts of Southwestern Connecticut, allowed students to find out through a variety of interactive activities what it would be like to be visually and physically impaired.

“There are five stations, each allowing students to experience a certain disability,” Ms Lucian explained.

At the visually impaired station, students guided their blindfolded peers into identifying different snack foods using other senses, such as smell and taste.

Discussion questions exploring how difficult it was to identify the foods followed.

At the physically impaired station, students learned how challenging it could be to ride in a wheelchair while balancing a lunch tray and books.

A second activity, portraying the challenge of fine motor skill disabilities, challenged students to put Legos together and button a shirt while wearing large, cumbersome gloves.

Cindy Menegary and Cora Martin, volunteers with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, introduced students to guide dogs Princess and Lacey, both Labrador retrievers.

Ms Menegary and Ms Martin raise guide dogs.

“It’s important to remember that when the dogs have their harnesses on, they shouldn’t be touched,” Ms Menegary said. “It’s good to let students know that. The more they understand, the more comfortable they will be around students who may be visually impaired.”

“Doing this was quite an undertaking,” said Ms Lucian, “but we had a lot of help and it was just a great all around effort.”

Students also had the opportunity to acquire more information on alternative systems of communication, including American Sign Language on behalf of the American School for the Deaf, based in Hartford.

Also on display were children’s books focusing on character with physical disabilities.

Troop 651 Girl Scout Rachel Rhode said that she enjoyed participating in the effort to bring “Differences Day” together. “We made posters and made copies of information on the event for parents,” she said. The scouts also made “goody bags” containing further information on physical disabilities, including resources on various institutions around the state that could help someone coping with a physical disability.

“It’s important to treat all people equally,” added Girl Scout Dana Greenfield.

Troop 651 Leader Terri Gould said that the event was important to “raise public awareness.”

“It’s a good way for students to build empathy for others,” she said.