One of the things I love about my job is the ability to pass along news about special needs friendly events with families. I regularly get contacted by organizations, businesses and individuals about things to do around town. They share how they are modifying their event to accommodate individuals and families with special needs.
For instance, Studio Movie Grill in Wheaton regularly hosts special needs movie screenings. They understand that traditional movie going is not always possible for families with a child with special needs. They hold screenings of first run movies where the lights are up and the sound is down. Wiggles and giggles during the movie are never frowned upon. This makes it a much more pleasant experience for the whole family.
While we get this information out to our families through our regular channels like our social media and enews, there is a group in Naperville that has allowed us to broaden our reach. It is WONC FM89.1.
Since 2011, WONC has been allowing us to share community events as well as WDSRA news of interest to families through a 5-minute segment running every Tuesday between 4-4:30PM. During this time, I get to let families know about upcoming holiday parties, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, special ability nights, and so much more.
This is all thanks to the wonderful staff at WONC. You may know them as the radio voice of North Central College. Completely student run, these college students are welcoming, professional and certainly passionate about what they are doing. We at the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association are grateful for their support.
If you are with an organization or business holding a special needs friendly event, be sure to send the information to me as early as possible. I will share it with our families and perhaps even on the WONC segment.
To learn more about WDSRA programs or services, visit www.wdsra.com or call (630) 681-0962.
