This three day program concentrated on education for the learning disabled, after-school programs, and integration into society. To welcome the group to Pensacola, their first appointment took place at city hall where City Councilwoman Sherri Myers and her guest, Laura Jo Hust of the Disabilities Resource Center, introduced the area and discussed the legal ramifications of disability laws. Councilwoman Myers is an attorney who has worked to make sure that the community is complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Next, to cover the project objectives, our office introduced the group to several area professionals including Nancy Wolfe, Principal of the Capstone Academy, who shared the school’s early education program with the Syrians, and Dawn Vonstein, Manager at ARC Gateway, who addressed job training and community inclusion. How the school district handles the needs, including transportation needs, of all students was covered in a meeting with Malcolm Thomas, Escambia County Superintendent of Schools.
Local university-led efforts were highlighted with a meeting with Drs. Keith & Stacie Whinnery of the University of West Florida (UWF) and Principal Pamela Smith who met the group at Bennett C. Russell Elementary School in Milton. There, they explored inclusion and the Mobility Opportunities Via Education (MOVE) program. Dr. Leasha Barry and Dr. Christine Ogilvie, also with UWF, joined the Syrians for lunch and then led a discussion on university programs for teaching children with special needs.
Of course, no itinerary examining special needs issues in northwest Florida would be complete without a visit to the Lacey A. Collier Sensory Center, the one-of-a-kind center which surrounds developmentally disabled children in a multisensory environment. Joe Denmon, Behavior Specialist, met the group at the door and introduced this extraordinary facility.
To incorporate the outdoors and alternative therapy methods, the group visited Fran and Newman Gersin at the Leaning Post Ranch; and Tim Godwin, League Commissioner with the Miracle Baseball League of Pensacola provided a volunteer opportunity for the group at one of the Miracle League’s practice sessions where Shirley Godwin explained the program to the visitors.
Thank you to everyone who met with these guests and welcomed them to our community.
