Student Contributor -W. Lux
The Walla Walla Valley Disability Network (WWVDN) works closely with another organization we have in town but also nationally called Parent to Parent (P2P). These organizations provide support and resources to parents and their child(ren) who have special needs as well as their siblings. Outside of resources for families, they also do community outreach disability trainings. Most importantly they choose to celebrate abilities!
This organization provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to take part in multiple activities they otherwise not be able to. For example, they provide the opportunity for these individuals to play sports such as baseball, basketball and bowling, swimming lessons, 4H horse camp, summer camp etc. The resources it provides parents are just as vital bringing a sense of community is just what these parents need. Teachers should think about partnering with WWVDN to provide their students the opportunity to help their peers that unfortunately, they might have never interacted with them before. By giving your students the chance to volunteer at our local disability network whether that be in adaptive sports, summer camp they will learn vital skills that are needed in life, such as compassion, patience, what it means to celebrate the small things, as well as what love truly is.
Teachers and students can contact WWVDN and emailing admin@wwvdn.org to get in contact with Cyndy Knight. It is here you will want to decide which activity would be the best fit for your class to take part in! Regardless, of the activity it’ll be a great opportunity for your students to take part in.
