Running head: A CALL FOR INVOLVEMENT IN THE SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY 1

A Call for Involvement in the Special Needs Community

Isabel Chavez

Alvin Community College

A CALL FOR INVOLVEMENT IN THE SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY 2

Abstract

In this proposal students at Alvin Community College are called upon to become more involved

with the special needs community. It is discussed that there is a stigma when it comes to this

community. The proposal goes on to suggest some solutions to close the disconnection between

the general student body and the special needs community. This includes stepping out of their

comfort zone to be willing to discuss the issue. Then, accepting and empowering the abilities of

students with disabilities. This will lead to educating and advocating for the special needs

community. Ending with involvement and immersion within the community resulting in an

overall better quality of life for all.

Keywords: special needs, accept, disabilities, educating, advocating, immersion

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A Call For Involvement in the Special Needs Community

Current generations live in an era during which dramatic social change is taking place.

Sexuality is being challenged and the rules of love are being tested. Racial barriers are being torn

down and questions that have been ignored for centuries are begging to be answered. In a time of

such change and social revolution, one can expect a great abundance of acceptance when

walking into a common area such as the cafeteria on a college campus. Yet, that is not the case

for a population that continues to receive the short end of the stick, despite making up nearly

19% of the United States’ population. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). That is the special needs

population. There seems to be a disconnection between the general population and the close-knit

world that is the special needs community. Society has underestimated, belittled, and simply

misunderstood the special needs community for far too long. In order to combat the established

views of the community, it is up to the students on this campus to step out of their comfort zone,

accept the differences in abilities, educate and advocate, and get involved with the special needs

community.

Discussion

Stepping Out of Comfort Zone

To begin the process of social change for the special needs community, an individual

must be willing to step out of his or her comfort zone as they may very well face many

opponents. The people who are breaking the mold are not people who stayed within their

comfort zone. Take for example, Dr. Janice E. Brunstorm, a pediatric neurologist from Plano,

Texas, who was “born three months premature, [and] her parents weren't even sure if she'd live.
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They were told [she] had a zero chance of survival, and then when [she] did survive they said

[she] would never walk, [she would] never talk…” (Gutierrez 2017) She went against all odds

and pushed forward to become a neurologist despite what doctors were telling her. She accredits

her triumphs to her family and friends for all the support they gave her through medical school

despite a similar feat not having been achieved. She, along with all her supporters built a support

fueled by fever and passion because only the unknown was ahead (Gutierrez 2017). It is leaps

like these that people have to make to change the way a whole society thinks. If enough people

step out of their comfort zone, then it is no longer uncomfortable, and it becomes an overall more

supportive environment.

Acceptance

Acceptance, even within the disabilities community itself can be hard. As Dr. Janice E

Brunstorm said in her interview, she never felt fully accepted because of her disability. However,

through her work with children with the same disability, she has regained her life and has learned

to accept herself the way she is (Gutierrez 2017). Society should be able to do the same for all

those in need but specifically those that fall into the special needs community. These individuals

should feel supported at all costs. They should feel acted no matter where they go. It is very

saddening when someone, who is otherwise ‘normal’ snickers at someone who is intellectually

challenged because of something they may have said or perhaps the way they look. This creates

a hostile environment for everyone, not just the two individuals involved.

Educate and Advocate

Another way to advocate for change is to learn more about disabilities. This allows

people to have a better understanding of how life is for those who live with a disability. One

great way to learn about special needs community is to attend local events like the Abilities
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Expo. At events like these, there are a lot of amazing people to meet and so many demonstrations

of just how close knit of a network the special needs community is (Abilities Expo n.d.). Not to

mention getting to see all the neat ways people can personalize wheelchairs.

In an interview with special education teacher, Jake Sexton, he shares an experience he

had during his undergrad when he was in a class during which the students were assigned group

work and a deaf student along with her interpreter was in his group. The members of the group

seemed unsure of how to interact with the student, as they were talking about her in the third

person and talking to her through her interpreter as if completely disregarding her presence. Mr.

Sexton, having had experience in interaction with the hearing impaired, he decided he would

lead by example and make eye contact with the student while talking to her. After seeing the deaf

student react in a more positive manner to Mr. Sexton the other students caught on and realized

they should follow his lead (personal communication, April 20, 2018). The other students did not

know how to interact with the deaf student because they had never been in that situation before.

It is why Mr. Sexton felt it was his responsibility to intervene in a subtle manner that would not

embarrass the deaf student nor the others. Leading by example is a way of teaching others how to

interact with the special needs community.

The company 3eLove has a symbol that is catching on world-wide. It is the handicap

symbol with a heart as a wheelchair (3eLove n.d.). Supporting the company by buying a shirt

and sporting it makes people wonder what the symbol means, which gives the wearer a teaching

and advocacy opportunity. Many times, people with disabilities get unwanted glares but they do

not get the chance to speak up because they may not be able to. It is for instances such as these

that those who can, should advocate for those who cannot.
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Education and advocacy go hand in hand in eliminating the stigma so often associated

with the special needs community. Many individuals who look down on those with disabilities

simply do not know better. It is the duty of those who do know to teach others and spread

understanding, acceptance, and love.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved with the special needs community. On campus,

there is a club called Best Buddies where a student can be paired up with another student with a

disability in need of a mentor. A great organization that provides many volunteer opportunities

throughout the Houston area is Easter Seals Greater Houston. They provide services for people

with disabilities of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Some of their volunteer opportunities

include camps that are held every year. One of those camps is Camp Buckaroo, which is a week-

long day camp for children with a variety of disabilities and their siblings. Another popular

Easter Seals camp is Camp Smiles, which is a week-long over-night camp in Burton, TX

specifically for children with cerebral palsy. Easter Seals also holds respite programs in two

Houston area locations on Friday evenings for children and young adults from ages 6-24.

Volunteers are always needed to help coordinate crafts and other fun activities (Easter Seals

n.d.).

Even if the time could not be made to officially volunteer, the power of one’s own voice

and interest is always just as good and meaningful. Making someone’s day could be as simple as

saying, “Hey, man I like your shoes,”.

Conclusion

Society is catching up with the times, but they are not quite there yet. It has done a great

injustice to the special needs community. The pattern of misinformation and misunderstanding
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can stop with the current student body. They must first step out of their comfort zone to accept

and celebrate the differences in each other. Afterward, it becomes almost an obligation to

educate others and advocate for the cause. Then, of course, get involved and immersed in the

beautiful and loving community of people with special needs. At the end of the day, all human

beings deserve to have a drive and passion for life no matter what the circumstances.
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References

Abilities Expo. Houston. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.abilities.com/houston/

Easter Seals Greater Houston. Home. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.eastersealshouston.org/Programs/camps-and-recreation.html

Gutierrez, K. (2017, December 15). North Texas Doctor Knows Pain, Perseverance of CP.

Retrieved from https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/North-Texas-Doctor-Knows-Pain-

Perseverance-of-Cerebral-Palsy-389808331.html

J. Sexton, personal communication, April 20, 2018

U.S. Census Bureau. (2012, July 25). Nearly 1 in 5 People Have a Disability in the U.S., Census

Bureau Reports Report Released to Coincide with 22nd Anniversary of the ADA: 2000 to

2010 Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

3eLove. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.3elove.com/pages/what-is-3e-love