Queen’s University is taking the lead in helping health care students learn to better understand patients or clients with intellectual disabilities.

For the sixth year, the Division of Developmental Disabilities is gathering students from the Schools of Medicine, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy and psychology interns, to come together to explore more efficient and effective ways to understand and work with their clients.

Students will participate in the Intellectual Disabilities Education Day (IDE), a mandatory program that links members of the community with graduate level students. As part of the program, community members with intellectual disabilities communicate frankly about their experience in the health care system.

“We use this day as a way of increasing student’s exposure to individuals with intellectual disabilities and also teaching advanced communication skills to students,” says Meg McQueen (Occupational Therapist), chair of the IDE planning committee. “Some students are never exposed to this prior to leaving school and joining the workforce.”

Community members are active participants in the event’s organization. They help plan the day, write lectures to present to Queen’s students and enjoy activities on campus.

“This is going to be my fifth year participating in IDE and I always look forward to it,” says last year’s participant Francine Young. “My favourite part is getting to know the Queen’s students in small groups.”

IDE will be held for over 400 students September 28 in the New Medical School Building.