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From 747 given leaflets were returned only 377 with imprinted thoughts.

From the 377 leaflets:

• 7 had negative comments of dislike or expressed their will to leave the event.
• 94 were formulated by using strongly dividing expressions and verbal marginalization as "these people, and such children".
• 8 contained the explicit statement that they would like to definitely to do it again even though there was no such question.

The word most often repeated in all 3 questions was the word "communication". The children were worried about the ways of communication and were surprised and rejoiced at the discovery of conducting beautiful conversations.

The vocabulary was mostly neutral and those who had used strong terminological errors (disabled, crazy, handicapped, with impotence) were offset by those who had expressed themselves correctly.

Many students showed ignorance and fear about the world of disability and they reproduced stereotypes as “I thought that they would harm me”. However, most of them changed their attitude during the workshop and started to think differently.

There was also strong anxiety among the older children of not saying or doing something that could possibly upset a student with a disability!

Most noted, however, that they felt embarrassed and they had not come into contact with people with disabilities in the past.

Some others said that they had collaborated in the past with us. Some showed comfort and familiarity with the world of disability and thought that their coexistence "comes naturally". Only one girl said "that she often sees People with Special Needs" because of the profession of her mother (physiotherapist).

The replies reflected enough joy but little or no pity. The fear reflected in some cases quickly turned into excitement

Question: “What did you find challenging?”

The children's difficulties were very specific and are divided into the following categories:

One hundred and twenty eight (128) children, i.e. the vast majority, stated that they did not face any particular difficulty to follow the program and come into contact with people with disabilities! "I didn’t find anything challenging and the cooperation with everyone was flawless," "I didn’t face any problems and I think everyone was very happy with me", "I had no problem, after all I had come last year," "nothing, the trip was pleasant "," I was not struggled at all, I had a great time," are some of their answers.

Eighty-seven (87) admitted that they found it difficult, at least in the beginning, to communicate with young people with disabilities. Some indicated that "It was hard for me to realize the ways of communicating with these children," "I did not know how to talk with children who have mental disabilities", "It was difficult for me to find a way of discussion with children with mental disabilities'.

Sixty-two (62) stated that the most difficult part was to control their stress about the contact with the “unknown”, “the queer”, “the different” and simultaneously the fear of saying something wrong and upset them. Some stated:  "I felt strained by my feelings and fears, nothing else “, “I could not express myself", "I thought they would harm me", "I was afraid not to say anything wrong and pissed them off”," the way of expressing my feelings at that moment".

Forty-seven (47) found it difficult enough to close their eyes and trust themselves or a classmate to accompany them with a white cane. "Initially it was difficult walking with my eyes closed and an auxiliary cane", "It was a struggle to be led with closed eyes but it was more difficult to walk on my own."

Thirty-seven (37) complained that they struggled with the Bocce. Especially the elementary students, most of whom admitted that in the end they were as well pleased.

Ten (10) struggled in the painting and construction workshop, but finally they managed. "I was strained with the constructions but in the end it was fun to work on!"

One (1) young friend of ours struggled only due to the limited time ... "I wanted to participate in all workshops but I didn’t had enough time because. Everything was perfect!"

Question: “What did surprise you?”

Children expressed many mixed emotions..

Sixty-three (63) where not surprised at all. "I was not surprised because I have been again in contact with such children", "Nothing, there was something different in my opinion," "Nothing, because my mom is a physiotherapist and I have seen people with disabilities" are some statements from.

Seventy-five (75) were impressed by the positiveness and kindness of people with disabilities that they had met! They wrote: "Children were more sympathetic than I expected", "I did not expect people with mental problems to be so nice", "these people do everything they can to overcome their problem", "a young girl came and gave me a hug”, "I was surprised by their widespread enthusiasm for all the activities and their warm reception", "that beyond all the difficulties one faced accomplished the challenge ","I had a totally different impression for these people," "a young girl surprised me, she didn’t harm me she just gave me a hug”, “How easily they cope with their problem and how innocently they expressed themselves'', “the fact that these children are always smiling, cheers up your mood", "how positive aura they had!"

Fifty three (53) reported that they were impressed by the good communication and cooperation they had with young people with disabilities. They wrote: "Some  bonded with us from the first moment and asked us to help them", "after a while the cooperation was easy", "these children can perfectly communicate with us", "I was surprised by the magic and cooperation", "I was astonished that some children with mental disabilities understood everything very quickly", 'I was surprised that they knew how to speak, because I believed that they were disabled and dumb", "I worked very nicely with Alex Tsoukalas, a special education student, who was going round from table to table in order to introduce everybody", "that children who had some problems worked very well."

Thirty-seven (37) children were surprised by the "different", the "new" and commented this fact in the following ways: "I expected everything to be different," "The whole venue seemed at first a little weird", "I was  surprised to be so close with people who had problems", "I had never seen them before and felt sorry for them", " the situation of some children with more serious problems, made me feel very sad", "I was shocked by the way these children think, they have their logic and use their expressions", "I was surprised by the arrival of children with mental disability in the room".

Forty-one (41) students were positively impressed and surprised by the behavior of some young people with disabilities. "Their eyes, their habits, everything shocked me '', '' that the children who were mentally retarded suddenly said A and OU", "the abrupt children’s movements"," the behavior of a lady with mental retardation (she was distant and cautious)"," some children’s reactions and sometimes the way they behaved, but I understand and comprehend their problem".

Twenty-three (23) declared that they unexpectedly liked very much playing Bocce.

Twenty-one (21) wrote that they were moved by  the mobility learning with  the white cane: "when I pretended to be blind with a cane or a companion, I was afraid not to hurt myself", "I was taken by how difficult it was to walk with closed eyes, something that I certainly did not expect ".

Fourteen (14) reacted reluctantly as they entered the museum but gradually they changed their attitude and in the end they did not want to leave. Here are some records of their  experience : "Firstly I was afraid but after a while I had a very nice time", "I was a little scared in the beginning, but when I started working with these children I realized how kind they are", "how many interesting things we did and learned", "nothing special, except I felt a little uneasy in the beginning when I first saw them", "I was scared at first but when I knew them better I loved the experience", "I thought it would be much more difficult, but it was not", "I was a little anxious in the beginning", "I expected that coexistence with people with special needs would be much more difficult for me", "that I did not feel  much pity or sorrow for these people", "It was much better than expected", "I was surprised by myself that in the end I loved it."

Thirty three (33) were impressed by the wrong impression they had for disability and realized that people with and without disabilities do not differ. They stated: "they can do jobs like other people", "the blind and disabled people who have no hands they can normally live", "these children painted so well", " some of these people seemed to very normal", " I was impressed by multitude of skills demonstrated by children with special needs", "I did not see any difference from other children", "how life can be easy ", " I was surprised that people who do not have the same body parts as I have, can do the same things as me! ".

Eight (8) children only expressed their surprise when they found out how many people with disabilities exist. "I was surprised that there are so many people with disabilities", "that 15% of the population has a disability although I had met only once in my life someone with a disability", " For the first time in my life I saw gathered together so many people with disabilities. "

Eleven (11) were surprised by their unusual activities and creative occupations.

Question: “What did you find pleasant?

Students who visited us enjoyed a lot of things and it was very touching to flip through their thoughts.

One hundred twenty-nine (129), most of them, were very pleased with their acquaintance with these young people and their subsequent cooperation. "I made new friends," "I was able to meet closely the disabled people", "I made new friends with different needs", "the beautiful atmosphere I created with all the children around me", "I was able to arrange and work with such special and wonderful people, thank you "," I made new friends and we worked as a team, I had a great time", "I made new friends and I helped them",   " the fact that  we worked all together in order to create something nice, that is  something I will always remember. "

Eighty-six (86) enjoyed the overall experience of the organization's activities. They wrote: "I was so pleased to realize how effectively the volunteers of SKEP worked", "that I had the opportunity to take part in such a program", "everything pleased me", "this whole program pleased me because it  has a voluntary goal and aims to help the socialization of children with intellectual disabilities in order to make them feel as equal parts of our society", "I saw how much effort is done in order to help these people ", " we painted, we played, we made new friends",   " SKEP and the all activities sceduled for us. It was a perfect experience! "

Fifty six (56) worshiped Bocce and the mixed groups they participated. They declared with enthusiasm: "Bocce was a perfect game and I hope to play it again!"

Forty-five (45) stated that their principal satisfaction was the happy moments they offered to their fellows. "It was a very nice experience and I was so glad to see the kids to be so much amused while playing", "I had a very nice time with these people and I realized that they had also enjoyed ", "I am glad that these were happy people. They enjoy their life! "," I was very much pleased that these children relaxed and enjoyed, we had a very nice time and definitely I would like to do it again "," the love shown towards us and children's pleasure as soon as they understood that someone really cares for them"," the laugh of an old guy with Down Syndrome ».

Forty one (41) added that they contributed through those activities and that they had a great time. "The pleasure and serenity that I felt by helping these people", "I felt very well and became a better person by helping these children. Ι loved helping them and painting with them. I would gladly to do it in the future as a volunteer", "The feeling that I had a very different and unusual experience."

Thirty five (35) afforded the pleasure they felt to the good communication developed with their new friends. "The contact I have had with people with disabilities, sensitized me a lot and relaxed me very much, thanks!", "that I managed to communicate and have fun with people with disabilities."

Eighteen (18) guests were delighted with the crafts created in collaboration with young people. They made airplanes from chopsticks and watches from paper plates.

Twelve (12) had a great time painting t-shirts and making collages from recycled materials.

Thirty two (32) very mature young people told us that they enjoyed their participation because they know now more about the people with disabilities and they have the feeling that they became more aware citizens. They wrote: "I met such people who sensitized me", "that despite their difficulties they had the desire to do different activities or to try to contact us", "the fact that we stood in their shoes (as blind people) and we had a glimpse into the lives of people with physical disabilities", "that we acquainted more with people with disabilities and we realized that although we are all different, we are equal", "I came in touch with children with disabilities and I felt disappointment  for our unhelpful society to the integration of these people", "I stood in the shoes of people who are blind and I think that no one can definitely feel like them".

Ten (10) reported how fruitful experience was the mobility with white cane.

Four (4) said that they did not like anything.

Three (3) said: "I am pleased that I will leave from here!"

Nine (9) fans of Panagiotis Pitsiniagkas, motivational speaker of SKEP, himself a person with disability, reported that they were rejoiced to see him again and enjoy their discussion on disability.

Six (6) artistic souls loved Vorres’ museum and its art collection. They wrote: "We saw a new style of art", "we went to a museum with masterpieces."

Four (4) stated as pleasantly surprised when they realized during the sign language workshop, that they could communicate with body language when there is difficulty in verbal communication. "I was pleased that everyone knows sign language after all!"

CONCLUSIONS AT A GLANCE

People with disabilities, even though they are a big part of the population, they often face social exclusion, stigma and indifference due to negative perceptions and prejudices. They are a group of excluded people, as social dualism characterize them as the "inside" and the "outside". Discrimination and exclusion are rooted in fear and stereotypes, both reinforced by the lack of personal contact with people with disabilities.

Survey data on an international scale, show that positive attitudes towards disability can be configured from a very early age. Regular interaction between children with and without disabilities contributes to the formation of positive attitudes and creation of links between the two groups. Children whose schools promote more coexistence opportunities, games and interaction, lead to fewer chances to treat children with disabilities as “different” and to develop more positive attitudes towards their peers.

The child’s social identity is created through relationships with its peers and as a result develops social relationships and learns important skills for the emotional, social, communication and cognitive development. According to research, children attending integration schools develop empathy, respect and acceptance of individual differences toward their peers with special educational needs or disabilities. Moreover, they have a higher degree of awareness and responsibility for the needs of other children.

The World Report on Disability claims that clubs and organizations whose objective is disability, such as SKEP, play a vital role in improving public understanding about disability and overcoming the negative perceptions and prejudices through awareness programs. The gap in public understanding about disability can be bridged by educating and creating public awareness.

The arising conclusions from the students’ testimonies and answers within the framework of SKEP’s Program "See and Act differently" are consistent with those reported by international research. The experiential workshops conducted by SKEP were attended by primary and secondary education school students and young people with disabilities (motor-sensory-intellectual). Applying experiential learning in the context of a combined approach (education - interaction - experience) accelerate the change of attitude and mentality relatively to diversity and disability. The interaction of vulnerable social groups with mainstream students is key to altering attitudes and behavior regarding diversity and disability. By educating and raising awareness in students and their environment (family, teachers, social workers, public sector employees, members of local government, etc.), SKEP’s proposed programs create opportunities for change in the public’s mentality aiming to empower people with disabilities and ensure their basic rights.  

Finally, arousing the students and subsequently their direct and indirect environment, creates appropriate conditions for the general public's awareness, with an expected future impact, to ensure and attribute disabled people their basic rights.

The sensitive student today is conscious and active citizen tomorrow!

"The Different is not a threat. It enriches our lives!"

1. “I was surprised by the positive aura those people radiated”
2. “I really liked the communication I had with so many people with disabilities, I was greatly moved and relaxed, than you!”
3. “I enjoyed having the chance to participate in such a program and to get close to people with disability”
4. “I didn’t see any difference with the other children!”
5. “I liked the conversation I had with Mr. Panagiotis”.
6. “I was worried on how to approach these people”.
7. “I was surprised how easy life can be!”
8. “After a while cooperation became easy…”
9. “The children were very friendly”.
10. “Nothing bothered me, everything was perfect”.
11. “I was surprised that they know how to talk, because I believed that they are disabled and dumb!”
12. “I was impressed by the ability of people who lacked the same body parts as me to be able to perform the same tasks”
13. “I felt joy of being able to communicate and cooperate with such unique and wonderful individuals, thank you!”
14. “At the beggining, I didn’t know what to do and how to engage with the children…”
15. “I was caught off guard by seeing these children being happy and in a very good condition while usually it is the other way around”.
16. “I felt joy and tranquillity by helping these people”.
17. “In the end the children trusted me and I managed to communicate”.
18. “I was surprised by people who are nuts…”
19. “Nothing hindered me, except from the first visual contact but afterwards I got used to them”.
20. “I didn’t know what to say because I was scared of making a wrong question”.
21. “They can perform tasks just like anybody else!”
22. “I got to meet people with mental disabilities and realised that they differ very little from us”.
23. “I came in contact with a specific social group, and I managed even for a short while to get to know some of its members, to associate with them breaking the barriers of prejudice in which I was bound”.
24. “It was wonderful the event and the emotion of communicating with them and realising how pure and good willed those people are.”
25. “I was surprised by the fact that those children are always with a smile which brightens your mood.”
26. “It was incredible that I managed to communicate with them, it was new, something memorable which I would definitely like to do again!”
27. “I was troubled only by my emotions and fears mainly, nothing more…”
28. “With all these activities we learn to accept and work with different individuals.”
29. “At the start I was anxious because I thought that I had to behave with a specific manner, but eventually communication came naturally and easily.”
30. "What I had to say in order not to offend anybody. I was scared at the start but when I got to know them I really liked it.”
31. “One little girl surprised me, she didn’t do anything bad to me, she just simply hugged me.”
32. “I was impressed by the number of people with mental or mobility difficulties.”
33. “We collaborated in order to create something which we will remember for ever.”
34. “I expected coexistence with disabled people to be difficult.”
35. “I found it sad that people my age face such difficult problems.”
36. “I was pleased to see such a great effort taking place in order to help these individuals.”
37. “I was surprised by the will of people to live, even though many of them were of an old age.”
38. “I was delighted by the laughter of an old man with Down syndrome.”
39. “I was scared of how to engage with them, I didn’t wish to say something wrong and get them angry with me.”
40. “I have the feeling that I experienced something different from everybody else, that I obtained a new experience.”
41. “I had a different opinion for these people who managed no matter the difficulties.”
42. “I saw these people smile!”
43. “The joy of Christos winning the game surprised me (the old man with the white hair).”
44. “I was afraid to speak to them, of saying something wrong.”
45. “I liked the whole experience of how it is to live as one of them.”
46. “Magic and cooperation…”
47. “I though these children would hurt me!”
48. “In the end I managed to talk with the people around me and I had a great time!”
49. “There are people with serious disabilities that we do not possess and they try to do what we do…”
50. “I was challenged of seeing these people in such a state and not being able to do anything about it.”
51. “When I first talked to them I was scared because I didn’t expect what their reaction would be but what we got to see in the end was very pleasing.”
52. “I was impressed to see for the first time so many people with disability together.”
53. “I didn’t found anything challenging. Our school had prepared us on how to approach and win the trust of individuals with disabilities.”
54. “I want to get out of here!”
55. “15% of the population has a disability and despite that only once so far I have met someone with a disability!”
56. “I liked the personal experience that I had with disability, the personal contact and dialogue with individuals who are physically or mentally challenged.”
57. “I was pleased that I managed to talk and to understand a little bit better a different group of our population.”
58. “They were very friendly compared to what I expected…”
59. “I was annoyed by some behaviours from my classmates but we didn’t have any problems.”
60. “On little girl gave me a hug!”
61. “I was fascinated by the joy of the children despite the problems they faced.”
62. “I got in the shoes of the people who are blind and I concluded that no one can feel as they do…”
63. “I liked the smiles of the children.”
64. “The children were cooperative despite their illness…”
65. “And those people are like us!”
66. “It was hard to cooperate with foreign and strange people.”
67. “The way they looked, their habits, everything unsettled me.”
68. “I had never seen them before and I pitied them.”
69. “I was surprised by the performance of the SKEP members!”
70. “I was content that Panagiotis, while having mobility issues is still able to have sex.”
71. “I cooperated with children and adults with special needs. I would like to come back here!”
72. “I greatly enjoyed seeing smiles on the faces of these people and having the chance to make their smiles even bigger!”
73. “I did not expect individuals affected with mental problems to be such good people.”
74. “I liked SKEP and the activities that they had prepared for us. It was an excellent experience!”
75. “I was challenged a bit to do everything because everything was perfect.”
76. “I believed that it would not be so great, this experience was far better than expected.”
77. “I was impressed that blind and disabled people who do not have arms can live like this.”
78. “I was surprised to find out how good and usual these people are.”
79. “I realised the marginalisation of these children.”
80. “But it was as if I was cooperating with my classmates.”
81. “It was easier than expected!”
82. “It was something different, with no teachers watching over us…”
83. “I was pleased to find out that they have a sex life.
84. “I felt good that I got to make children who are not used to being treated friendly happy.”
85. “Nothing proved problematic, everything was normal.”
86. “I realised that we are all equal.”
87. “The children I met helped me as much as I helped them.”
88. “I didn’t realise the difference between a «regular» and disabled child.”
89. “Panagiotis was discussing with us his problem with great comfort.”
90. “We listen the same music!”
91. “Few differences, many similarities.”
92. “I was fascinated by the directness of Stefanos and Panagiotis.”
93. “The idea of being blind was disturbing but everything went well…”
94. “They are normal and society rejects them!”
95. “At the start I felt embarrassment and hesitation. I didn’t know what to do. Along the way fear was defeated, it became love.”
96. “I realised that disability is not something bad or something to be afraid of.”
97. “I was pleased to see that they had the strength to live on with their problems.”
98. “These people give us life lessons.”
99. “The different is not a threat, it enriches our lives.”
100. “The sensation was so powerful that I think of engaging in the future in Special Education.