Learning Empathy by Looking Beyond Disabilities – The Pearls Project

Students at Ridgewood High School were shown photos of young people with genetic disorders — muscular dystrophy, albinism, port-wine stains — and told not to look away.

The unusual lessons are part of a new effort, called the Pearls Project http://www.positiveexposure.org/pearlsproject/ , to promote tolerance and empathy in a school culture where being different can mean social exile.

By WINNIE HU

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/nyregion/at-nj-school-learning-not-to-look-away-from-the-disabled.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&hpw=&adxnnlx=1308751444-C678Mk5M6Gj3dCZoLqEHCw