- April 27, 2024
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Heather Milligan and Misti Pollaro of Family Network on Disabilities
Photo by Ian SwabyBonnie Eskell, Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator at Children First, offers an Easter egg to 6-year-old Alina Zambrano.
Photo by Ian SwabySuzy Wilburn of Southeastern Guide Dogs, and Carson
Photo by Ian Swaby6-year-old Brentley Green, Sue Hill, 9-year-old Mikiah Savens, and 5-year-old Sofia Green.
Photo by Ian SwabyGeorges Assiff and Denajha Hickson of Dynasty Dance Clubs perform for the attendees.
Photo by Ian SwabyKelly Allocati talks with Cheryl Albright, owner of Soul To Soul Yoga.
Photo by Ian SwabyErin Browne, a Sarasota speech therapist for Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, offers Easter eggs to 8-year-old Osselyn Hart.
Photo by Ian SwabyChristine and Matthew Nicosia, Nicole Goldberg, and Savannah Nicosia
Photo by Ian SwabyThe dance troupe of Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind allows 6-year-old Alina Zambrano to participate.
Photo by Ian SwabyJulie Perrini, a Sarasota vocational rehabilitation supervisor with the Florida Department of Education.
Photo by Ian SwabyMisti Pollaro of Family Network on Disabilities talks with Alexis Fretz and Candace Luster of Bailes Consulting Services
Photo by Ian SwabyMike Lacey of Florida Agency for Persons With Disabilities and Pauline Lipps of Sarasota's local Family Care Council
Photo by Ian SwabyJulia Call, Heather Shoup, and Rhonda Pennington of Haven Academy
Photo by Ian SwabyElizabeth 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.”
