Information for special needs children at DisAbilities Expo in Davie

October 15, 12:34 PMPlantation Family & Parenting ExaminerHeidi Colston

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Plantation Family & Parenting Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Photo courtesy DisAbilities Expo Executive Committee

While Fort Lauderdale area families may be familiar with Broward County’s annual DisAbilities Expo, this year in its 30th year, they may not be aware of the many activities centered around children in the Kids’ Corner.  Located in Room 1017, 1st floor of the Alvin Sherman Library on the Nova Southeastern University main campus, the Kids’ Corner has events running from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm this Saturday, October 17, 2009.

Returning to delight children this year is Sally Ash, a Board Certified Art Therapist, with art activities and face painting throughout the day.  Having this haven in a back, quiet corner will be soothing for children who are overstressed with a lot of stimulation, or who have difficulty focusing or sitting still for extended periods.

From 10:45 am – 11:30 am the Bee Bop Buddies, presented by the Ann Storck Center, will entertain with music and puppets, after which the Exceptional Theatre Company will perform, from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm.  At 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm, real, scary-looking-but-totally-friendly pirates will be about, telling stories and posing for photos.

For those who prefer a more hands-on experience, attendees are invited to “express yourself through hand drumming with DisAbility Network” (DisAbilities Expo), beginning at 2:00 pm.  Finally, Sign Language Bingo will be presented by the Deaf Family Literacy Academy at 3:00 pm. 

Also focusing on people with hearing impairments, Speaking Hands will be performing at 1:00 pm in front of the library, weather permitting.  Speaking Hands is a group of young people who put on a dramatic, emotionally compelling show as they use sign language and worship dance moves to express praise to God.  Non-Christians will find their performance spellbinding as well.

Before leaving the library, parents of children with disabilities are encouraged to tour the exhibitor showcase in the library’s atrium.  Over 60 exhibitors will be present from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in both the library and the Don Taft University Center, and have information on products and services for many different types of disabilities, including developmental, sensory, emotional or physical disabilities.  New this year is the addition of more exhibitors with information pertaining to autism. 
 

Sally Ash painting the face of Abby Colston, while her sister, Ellie, looks on at the 2008 Expo.

Arlene Giczkowski, Director of NSU’s Office of Student Disability Services, has been on the Expo planning committee for three years.  “The DisAbilities Expo is a wonderful opportunity for the community to learn about valuable resources and services available to individuals with disabilities in Broward County, including accessible transportation, assistive technology, local outreach agencies, parks and recreation, and so much more”. 

Informational seminars in the library will provide vital information.  Jan Sutton, who attended last year’s seminar, “Planning for the Future… Wills, Trusts, Guardianship, and Financial Planning”, recommends parents or guardians attend this seminar for the crucial information it imparts.  “It was excellent and essential for families on SSI or any sort of assistance.  The necessity of a Special Needs Trust was one of the most important things I learned.”  Transitioning, a tough issue for many parents of children who are aging out of the school system, is another seminar topic that parents of high school children won’t want to miss.

Perhaps the highlight of the day will be the games between the Miami HEAT Wheels and the Orlando Magic Wheels, at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm.  Afterwards, the Miami HEAT Wheels will play NSU’s Men’s and Women’s basketball teams, who are both surely hoping to revenge last year’s trouncing by the HEAT.

Lastly, the Expo also highlights the “Art Knows No Disabilities” art exhibit, featuring artists from the Ann Storck Center, the Center for Independent Living, 9 Muses Art Center, Schott Communities, Memorial Regional Hospital Rebels Drop-In Center, and others (DisAbilities Expo).  Located inside the north entrance to the Taft University Center, the exhibit features paintings and mixed media, as well as some short artist profiles.

The Expo is sponsored in part by Paralyzed Veterans Association of Florida, Alvin Sherman Library, Nova Southeastern University, Center for Independent Living, Broward County Board of County Commissioners- Libraries Division, Parks and Recreation Division, 2-1-1 Broward, according to their website.

For more info: on the Expo, click here.  Broward County Special Needs Examiner, Lydia Glider-Shelley, is also featuring the Expo on her page, here.