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ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

Check out ADA Lifestyles new video! Let us know what you think on our Facebook page, linked HERE. 

 

The Lacey A. Collier Sensory Complex at Escambia Westgate School - One Like No Other!

ADA LIFESTYLES

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

The Lacey A. Collier Sensory Complex at Escambia Westgate School is one like no other. The school serves more than 200 of the 7,000 students with disabilities in Escambia. This multi-sensory complex which was completed in 2005, is the largest of its kind in the world.

The complex is based on the Snoezelen complex, which uses colors, lights, textures, and music to elicit responses from people with disabilities. Upon entering the complex’s atrium, visitors are greeted with relaxing music, plants and twinkling lights. In the jungle room, you immediately feel that the carpet is textured. There are also swings and a set of stairs that lead to a swinging bridge into artificial trees.

The school reports that swinging is a very sensory activity that many of their students enjoy/crave. There are also vibrating bubble tubes and fiber optic strands for kids to look at and touch along with iridescent plastic balls in a “ball bath.” There are also soothing aromas located around the facility that are pumped into the rooms to intensify effects.

Many of these children with disabilities seem to respond extremely well to the services provided at Westgate. One mother states that her son is legally blind but when she brings him to the school he is able to follow the lights. 

Many of the teacher’s report that these sensory effects help the students to be more focused. They also say that a lot of lower-functioning kids seem to be very motivated by the environment and are eager to participate and learn.

To read the entire article, click HERE.  

Teen Helps Those with Special Needs!

ADA LIFESTYLES

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

18 year old Michael Quesnell, senior at Kimberly High School will be receiving the 2012 Youth Scholarship Award at the 15^th annual celebrating our volunteer’s gala on April 17^th at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton. 

Quesnell will be recognized for a sophomore leadership class project on initiating change to his volunteer efforts which revolved around helping those with special needs. His interest in this cause began when he realized he wanted to help with the Special Olympics and promote respect for people with disabilities. It was then he came across the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, which is an initiative of the Special Olympics. This campaign promotes awareness to society about dehumanizing and using hurtful words about those individuals who are disabled. 

To help spread awareness, Quesnell had 800 students at his high school sign a pledge and even interviewed Green Bay Packer AJ Hawk to help promote this event.  Quesnell also organized a free Homecoming dance for individuals of all ages from different organization and special education programs in the area. He also organized a basketball game between two youth Special Olympic teams as well as students from his high school.  

When Quesnell was asked why he does this his answer was “just seeing the smile and the laughter, you can physically tell you are making a tangible difference.” Quesnell believes that this is his prime time to make a difference because he is surrounded by his peers and is able to effectively spread the word and raise awareness for an amazing cause. 

ADA Lifestyles was created to provide products and services to the physically challenged community. The company is focused on improving the quality of life of their clients and is passionate about creating an environment that will provide a safe and independent lifestyle.