Barrier Busters

Serving Citizens with Disabilities and Their Families In Meriwether County 		Fall 2000 Issue

Inside this Newsletter

  1. Barrier Busters
  2. Community News
  3. Feedback Opinion
  4. Feature Story

Looking Back... Summer 2000

A small group of concerned parents met at Pippins Restaurant on August 2, 2000 with Martha Wisbey, HSMI representative from the University of Georgia. Their purpose in coming together was to form a support group for people with disabilities and their families.

Deborah Smith, who has been working for several months as an Advocacy Consultant in the community for HSMI, attended along with newcomers Margie McCoy, parent; Laura Doggett, Parent/School Representative; and Tonya McGouirk.

Following a brief introduction, Martha outlined the activities of the HSMI and goals for working with students with disabilities and their parents. Although the goal has been to work with high school students, it is apparent that parents who are working with younger children in the school system can make a difference in the overall planning and pro-active advocacy for all students with disabilities.

Some of the issues discussed were:

  • The need to educate parents and their children about rights. Many parents work and canít take the time to advocate for their children, and they may not be aware of what they have the right to request or "demand" for their child.
  • School dress codes, which are in effect this coming year, appear to be restrictive and could be hard for some children with disabilities to abide by. Parents discussed the possibility of putting special exceptions in the IEP.
  • The need to educate teachers in the classroom, particularly ones who may have children with disabilities in their classrooms. The fact that many are trained in a class setting in their undergraduate work was brought up, but this does not appear to be enough. Teachers need experience with children with disabilities in order for them to understand how to teach them in inclusive settings.
  • The issue of medical emergency support, such as limited ambulance service, was discussed; particularly how it pertains to children in school.
  • The need for assistive technology training.
  • The need for year-round services, especially speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
  • The group agreed that an idea to develop a logo to wear on T-shirts and buttons would help the group gain recognition in the schools and community and provide opportunities to recruit more participants.