Dallas News

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Great piece in today's paper by one of our local heroes...Clay Boatright : Including those with special needs

02:38 PM CST on Friday, December 26, 2008

Repercussions

from the current financial crisis are affecting everyone. For the

60,000 people with disabilities in Collin County, life-altering

challenges are nothing new. The outlook for 2009, however, shows great

potential for change. For example, parents seeking

after-school programs are often rejected because their special-needs

children do not conform to the required guidelines. Today, however,

McKinney is piloting the first ISD-sponsored after-school program for

students with significant disabilities. In Plano, senior

administrators are working with their PTA’s Special and Gifted

Education (SAGE) committee to enhance parent training and

collaboration. To help the transition from high school,

My Possibilities opened with day programs for young adults, while

Plano’s Therapeutic Recreation department continues to provide a

diverse array of activities. Businesses are discovering that people with disabilities are extremely brand-loyal.

Studio Movie Grill provides complimentary first-run screenings for

special-needs families. Recognizing that people with disabilities are

hard-working employees, Target stores in Frisco and Willow Bend’s ÖGleneagles Country Club are leaders in offering careers to people with diverse skills.

Churches are expanding their ministries. Prestonwood Baptist recently

opened a new state-of-the-art facility for its special congregants,

while Custer Road United Methodist continues to provide parents,

including non-members, with quality respite. Elected

officials are becoming versed in disability issues. State Sen. Florence

Shapiro, County Commissioner Kathy Ward and Plano ISD Trustee Missy

Bender, among others, actively seek to understand what these

constituents need. Their leadership will bring broader perspectives to

our political institutions. Creating quality solutions is

surprisingly easy, because they all start with a simple question: “How

can I better serve my neighbors and customers who happen to have a

disability?” For thought starters, here are nine Disability Goals for 2009:

..Business owners make their products and services more appealing to

people with disabilities. Some customers require personalized attention

or alternatives to long waiting lines. Others need items physically

redesigned or adapted. As a role model, the Disney theme parks are

unmatched in serving people with disabilities, and Disney is rewarded

accordingly at the ticket booth. .Employers diversify

their workforce. People with physical disabilities are in leadership

positions throughout our country. Meanwhile, area companies are hiring

people with cognitive disabilities in a wide range of careers,

including customer service, clerical positions, distribution and

retail. .School administrators develop innovative

programs that leverage the best technology, while teachers seek special

education training beyond the state mandates. Private schools,

including faith-based, create programs for all children inclusive of

those who learn differently. .Our cities provide the same

amenities to everyone, with accommodations as necessary. Working with

local non-profit agencies can reduce costs and provide valuable

disability-related expertise. .Developers, lenders and

city leaders create affordable residential options that promote

independence and maintain dignity. .Physicians expand

their skills. People with disabilities are living longer, so doctors

for adults are dealing with conditions once confined to pediatricians.

..Churches and synagogues build bridges to deliver God’s word. Targeted

outreach, partnering with group homes, and delivering services in the

community are examples. .Texas legislators bring Collin

County up from the bottom in state funding, while creating a timeline

to end the decade-long waiting lists for services.

..Families with disabilities assume the ultimate responsibility for

change. We should support businesses that support us, and join

nonprofit organizations to create momentum. We must also participate in

the school board, municipal and legislative processes. After all, it’s

hard for our leaders to serve the invisible. God has

blessed Collin County in many ways this year. Now let’s serve each

other with the blessings he gave us. Clay

Boatright is board president for The Arc of Dallas, the area’s oldest

non-profit agency serving people with developmental disabilities. He

also serves on the board for The Arc of Texas and the Easter

Seals Autism Advisory Board. Clay and his family, including identical

twins with severe disabilities, live in Plano. His e-mail address is

clay@.... - R. Liberman, M.A.,CCC-SLP Speech TX julie_slp@... www.julieslp.com