People Together Program Shows Kids in a Good Light
Published June, 1999

By: Courtney Jordan

In the wake of recent school tragedies such as the shootings in Littleton, Colorado and Paducah, Kentucky, many Americans have come to realize that things must change, both within our schools and in society in general. Kids must not be allowed access to guns, television programs should have more appropriate choices, parents need to pay closer attention to their children, and we should teach kids to be more sensitive to those who are different from themselves.

Medina County’s Society for Handicapped Citizen's "People Together" program is working hard to increase awareness and sensitivity toward disabilities. The program, originally started in 1984 as part of the Summit County advocacy program The Arc, reaches out to school children and those involved in community groups. People Together shows that individuals with disabilities are people too, even though they might have to do things a little differently sometimes.

People Together educator Sharon Biggins works with the groups, primarily classrooms, for a week. During the week, Sharon exposes everyone to the concept of disability by having interactive discussions and lessons. She even brings in wheelchairs and other related equipment so that the kids get a firsthand sense of what it's like to live with a disability. She says, "I try to show others that disabled people have productive lives and like to do some of the same things that everyone else does."

Mrs. Biggins is speaking from experience. Two of her sons, Kyle and Adam, have disabilities. Kyle was born with cerebral palsy, while Adam is mentally retarded. She shares stories about her sons playing on baseball teams and doing lots of other activities along with their brothers Nicholas and James and sisters Danielle and Ashley.

Last year, 1,400 Medina County students got a visit from People Together. In fact, it has gotten so popular that within the not-to-distant future, the Society for Handicapped Citizens might have to add extra staff to handle all of the requests for visits.

"The most popular part of People Together happens on Fridays when our guest speakers come in,” exclaims Sharon. Currently, 12 guest speakers volunteer for the program, with different people appearing each week to help pull all the lessons together and wrap up the week. Speakers explain their disability and answer any of the group's questions. Questions sometimes range from "How do you count money if you're blind?" to "Show us how to drive your electric wheelchair."

The speakers seem to really bring all of the teachings home. Each speaker talks about his or her disabilities, then they relate different stories such as what college life can be like, or how people can deal with a disability and have children at the same time. The school children aren't the only ones who benefit from the program.

Volunteer Michelle Workman says, "It makes me feel really great to reach out to others and maybe teach them a little something."

If you are interested in having the People Together program visit your organization, contact Sharon Biggins at the Society for Handicapped Citizens (330) 722-1900.