A local non-profit, The Arya Foundation hosted its first-ever Disability Awareness Convention at the Maryland Heights Community Center on Saturday, February 16. It featured 30-minute educational presentations, hands-on activities for kids, and a resource fair to learn about disability-serving businesses and non-profits in the St. Louis area. The event was primarily attended by families of people with disabilities, as well as service providers and supporters from the community.
Parents concerned about their children transitioning from high school packed a classroom to listen to our own Steve Foelsch, Director of Disability Studies, give a presentation on the DREAM BIG program. He also helped parents learn to set goals for students with disabilities.

“It is not surprising to see so many concerned parents looking for resources,” Foelsch says. “Even kids without a disability have a tough time knowing what to do after high school. When you add managing a disability, it can feel overwhelming,” he explains. “But we are here to show parents and students that you can live and work independently, and it can be done well.”
SDI staff members and interns connected with families at the resource fair and shared information about DREAM BIG, our program for high-school students with disabilities, as well as our Young Friends group and other program areas of interest. Many parents and families were eager and excited to learn from the experts at Starkloff!