|
|
|
|
|
Contents: I have been asked this question many times during the past several years. At first I responded, "Lekotek is a toy-lending library helping children with special needs." That was the easy answer. But Lekotek has come to mean so much more to our family. Lekotek is unique and special in our lives. I am Jessica's mom. Jessica was born three months premature. She has cerebral palsy and autism. Jessica is now ten and a half and has benefited from Lekotek services since she was two years old. We have traveled a long hard road and no words can express the difference that Lekotek has made for our family. When Jessi was young, it was difficult to find toys that she could manipulate and enjoy. It was extremely expensive to purchase toys and disappointing when they were not appropriate. Lekotek made it possible for us to try toys first and then make purchases that would help Jessi. Our other children enjoyed participating in playtime at Lekotek and meeting other families "just like us". We all looked forward to the quality time we spent together as a family and with our Lekotek leader, Patrice Phelps. We learned about valuable technology and resources from our Lekotek leader and from other parents we met. Initially, it was extremely difficult for Jessi to interact with toys and her leader. During initial visits, all she did was cry. Knowing how much she loved music, our Lekotek leader would play Raffi tapes during the session. Visits are typically once a month for one hour, but our leader suggested we come weekly and our visits often lasted two hours! Gradually, Jessi began to come out of her shell. Thanks to the love, patience and dedication of the entire Lekotek staff, she began to change. Jessi is a completely different child today. My once withdrawn child who had to rely on someone else to always make choices for her from what she plays with to what she eats and wears, has now found a way to make choices on her own. Thanks to the world of computers, Jessi is making her own choices. Technology has opened a whole new world to Jessi, one in which she is learning and making choices independently. And it's all because of Lekotek. Eventually, again thanks to Lekotek and their generous donors, we were able to get a computer for Jessi to use at home. We have grown as a family and over the years have experienced triumphs and tragedies. We have had heartaches and heartfelt breakthroughs. During the past twelve years, we lost two children. Our son was killed several years ago and everyone at Lekotek was there for our family. I have never known an organization that gives so much, so unselfishly and truly strives to make a difference in the lives of so many children and families. Having a child with disabilities places one in s stressful world. When doctors, hospitals, endless days of surgeries and therapies seem overwhelming it is nice to know there is Lekotek - a place you can go to simply have FUN, be a family and witness what love is all about. And so when asked the question, "What is Lekotek?", I just may have to respond with the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Thank You Lekotek From The Family of Jessica Reynolds Community
Foundation for Greater Atlanta and As a society, we believe that a public building accessible only be a flight of stairs is a violation of civil rights. In education, printed textbooks may be a serious barrier for some students. Print presents information one way for everyone. Individual learning styles, however, call for alternative formats. Computer technology offers a means to present the curriculum in barrier-free formats. Beginning readers or students with visual disabilities can use enlarged text. Children who cannot write by hand can enter text using the keyboard, mouse, or alternative input devices (such as the intellikeys featured in this newsletter) or through a touch window or scanning. In this way students can take notes, write compositions and participate with their peers. Simpler low tech solutions to help children with disabilities can also be implemented. One solution may be to simply require the child to circle the answer if writing the answers in full sentences is too difficult. Peer tutors, modifying work, encouraging language and facilitating social interaction are effective techniques to successfully include children with disabilities into regular classroom settings. Last year, Lekotek leader, Beth Yager, conducted a pilot Inclusion Project with several students in public and private preschools and elementary schools. The project was so successful that a grant was submitted to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to expand this project. Pam Hardister whose son Matthew participated in our pilot project asked to submit a letter of support on behalf of our grant request. With permission, the following excerpts are reprinted from her letter: I am the mother of Matthew, a handsome, energetic six year old. Last year when Matthew entered kindergarten, I was excited although I knew there were challenges ahead. You see, Matthew, who has Down syndrome, would be educated with his classmates in a regular education class. Prior to school beginning, Helene Prokesch, the director of Lekotek, asked about Matthew's school placement. Upon hearing he would be included in a regular education setting, she asked if I would be interested in Lekotek's assistance. For me Helene's offer was like winning the lottery. Entering the school year, it was clear that neither the school nor I had the experience necessary to meet Matthew's needs. Lekotek was the essential link in making the school year a success. The facilitator from Lekotek was highly qualified, having successfully implemented inclusion in another school system. She communicated well, was supportive and non-threatening to school personnel. The school was thankful for her input and the following are only a few of many suggestions that were implemented: • creating a more hands-on learning environment through centers and cooking activities which benefited all students • encouraging natural supports - allowing classmates to help Matthew rather than adults • having Matthew use the same the materials as his classmates so that he would not be "different" • modeling language and social interaction for Matthew's peers and teachers • modifying the physical environment to increase Matthew's attention and participation At the end of the school year, we all felt that inclusion had been successful for Matthew, his teachers and peers. Perhaps this anecdote describes it best. While volunteering during a field trip to the zoo, Gil, a classmate, turned to me and proudly said, "Matthew knows his birthday." Then he continued, "At the beginning of the year, Matthew didn't say much but now he does and it's all because of us (his classmates)". Perhaps Gil being so proud of my Matthew's accomplishments and contributing to his success is what inclusion is all about. Both The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Bank of America continue to support Lekotek since becoming initial donors in 1985. This renewed and generous support makes it possible for Lekotek to serve more families than ever before while implementing new and innovative programs. Marcus Foundation Generously Funds LekoTrek '99 The 1999 Leko•Trek was off to an early start this spring with a generous donation of $25,000 from The Marcus Foundation. Lekotek gratefully acknowledges additional support from Abbott, AGA Insurance, Agouron, American Elevator, The Atlanta Falcons, Brandon's Printing, Bristol Myers Squibb, Career Sports Management, David's Renovations, Deloitte Consulting, The Digital Group, DWJ & Associates, Children's Health Care, The Concourse Athletic Club, Georgia Pacific, Handicapped Driver Services, Hennessy Lexus, Herman & Jones, The Holderfield Family, Ippolito's, Lederle, Mark C. Pope, Newcourt Financial, Pittman Construction, Pfizer, QuikTrip, RegionsBank, Roche, Saab, Siemens, Sign Central, Sprint PCS, Suwanee Realty, Szabo Associates, Victor Realty, Wyeth-Ayerst, The Schrudder Performance Group, the Smith Family and WSB Channel 2. Coca-Cola products were on hand with a delicious finish line fiesta brunch catered by The Canyon Cafe. With four hundred runners and T-Shirts arriving at the exact conclusion of the race that morning from North Carolina (shortly following hurricane Floyd's earlier arrival), the event was a huge success in raising $41,000. In addition, a silent auction was held three days prior to the run and concluded race day. Over 250 services, dinners, weekend get aways, subscriptions and sports memorabilia were donated by Atlanta area companies and individuals. A special thank you to Javier Lopez for Braves autographed balls, bats, jerseys and posters. We want to thank two companies, Lucent Technologies and The Gap, for the number of runners who participated in the race. Volunteers with Lucent Pioneers, The Georgia Tech Civetan Club and Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton gave hours of their time over the course of four days to help organize and staff the silent auction and run. With their help the silent auction raised $17,000 and both events raised $58,000. With waiting lists at all locations, we look forward to serving children who do not have time to wait. Sharing the Adventure The May issue of Exceptional Parent featured an article on outdoor experiences for children with disabilities. For many parents the idea of camping in the wilderness can evoke feelings of apprehension and seem like a dream that is out of reach. One organization that has erased those fears and made dreams of camping a reality for families is Wilderness Inquiry. The nonprofit organization provides outdoor recreational programs all over the world for people of all abilities, making outdoor adventures fun and accessible. Trips available through Wilderness Inquiry are as diverse as exploring Alaska to sightseeing off the coast of Australia. All Wilderness Inquiry staff complete extensive training that examines making the wilderness accessible without altering it. Staff members are also adept at using adaptive equipment and communicating with individuals using augmentative communication devices. One goal is to make destinations universally accessible to all participants. Lekotek staff members were delighted to see this article as we have sponsored weekend camping trips (in tents) for years. This summer, retired Lekotek leader, Ann Leverette, came out of retirement to accompany six families to Moccasin State Park in Georgia. With all families participating in camp set up, cooking and sharing responsibilities a good time was had by all despite the rainy weather. Activities included swimming, fishing and hiking. In keeping with Lekotek's mission of inclusion, families understand that experiences they believed to be off limits are in fact accessible to everyone.
Charlie Schoen and Lekotek leader, Beth Yager enjoy Barney software using the IntelliKeys touch sensitive input device. IntelliKeys is the perfect solution for students who have difficulty using the standard keyboard or mouse. For some children the keys on the standard keyboard are too small and their order too difficult to remember. For others, the number of keys may be too much to deal with at one time. The solution is a touch sensitive tablet with great flexibility. Overlays that can be made for all software simply slide into the IntelliKeys. Charlie uses an overlay with four pictures. When he touches the picture he wants, that scene appears on the screen. IntelliKeys is made by IntelliTools. When purchased it comes with six standard overlays, a setup overlay and a clear protective plastic sheet to use with custom overlays. Perhaps the most popular standard overlay is the one with the alphabet in ABC order. Letters on the overlay are much larger than those on the standard keyboard and are placed in ABC order. This order helps a child locate a letter more easily. The Intellikeys keyboard is available for $395 from IntelliTools (800 / 899-6687). If you would like to try IntelliKeys during a play session, please feel free to ask your Lekotek leader. IntelliKeys are also available for loan from Lekotek. (If you'd like more information about IntelliKeys, you can contact IntelliTools at the phone number given above or email them at info@intellitools.com.)
|
|
|
Home
| Services | Products |
Resources | Calendar | Publications |
Volunteer | How
Can I Help? | Search
| En Español Lekotek of
Georgia, Inc.
|
