Disabilities education fair offers resources and networking opportunities

Elizabeth Lewis, program specialist with Sarasota County Schools, said the Exceptional Student Education Agency Fair is an important resource for students with disabilities, and for their families as well. 

The event, hosted on Thursday at Suncoast Technical College, involved between 35 and 50 local agencies discussing education from pre-K to college and drew about 200 families, said Lewis.

Sue Hill was among the attendees who enthusiastically welcomed the resources on offer.  

She said the fair would be extremely helpful for her 6-year-old grandson Brentley Green, whom she cares for. Hill is seeking to involve Green, who has spina bifida, in the Special Olympics. 

“We had no idea these things go on,” she said. “This is so great. There is so much information.”

Lewis said many materials these organizations offer are only available in person, and the fair offers people the opportunity to make direct connections with representatives of different services.

The agencies present ranged from major organizations to lesser-known groups, with a few names including Oak Park School, State College of Florida, the Florida Department of Education, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Children First, and Bailes Consulting Services.

The event also included entertainment supplied by the dance troupe of Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, as well as the Sarasota-based Dynasty Dance Clubs.

“It’s very interesting, and it’s very helpful for learning about new things,” said 8-year-old Osselyn Hart, who said she was excited to talk with representatives of Girl Scouts.

“This is a wonderful fair,” said Julie Perrini, a Sarasota vocational rehabilitation supervisor with the Florida Department of Education. “There are so many different vendors that come in, and community resources that come here. … It’s a great networking opportunity to see what resources are here.”