Wendell Foster plans Special Needs Expo

By Renee Beasley Jones Messenger-Inquirer

Wendell Foster is teaming up with the Kentucky Family to Family Health Information Center and Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities to host Special Needs Expo: Building Bridges for Families.

The event is free to the public.

It’s the first time Wendell Foster has presented an expo of this type, said Cindy Huston, the nonprofit’s Technology and Resource Center director. The upcoming event is modeled after a similar expo in Bowling Green.
 
 “We’re bringing together community organizations that serve people with disabilities under one roof so that families can walk through the exhibit area and find out what services are available,” Huston said.
More than 60 agencies and vendors have signed up. Any government agency, nonprofit or private business dedicated to serving the special-needs community is welcome, Huston said. The deadline to register for a booth is Oct. 1. Those interested should call 270-852-1488.

Wendell Foster’s website — https://wendellfoster.org/event/special-needs-expo-building-bridges/ — offers a list of vendors. Organizations that serve families through advocacy and support, education, futures planning, health, sports and recreation, transition and waivers have signed up.

Guests do not need to register.

“It’s going to be a fun atmosphere,” Huston said.

Besides informational resources, each family will receive an event bag and tickets for lunch and door prizes.

A DJ will play music. Musick Studios’ all-abilities dance class will perform, along with Green River Area Down Syndrome Association’s Star Squad and harmonica player Leland Isbill. Bluegrass Children’s Theatre will present “Dracula,” a play about a boy who learns that differences make friends special.

The event will offer vision and hearing screenings. Huston is looking for a qualified person to do autism screenings.
Owensboro Police Department will conduct car-seat checks to make sure parents are buckling up their kids safely.

A sensory area will be set aside for guests who need a little space. And folks may enjoy chair massages.

“We’re so excited,” Huston said. “Raising a child with special needs can be challenging. It’s good to let parents know about all the services available to them.”

Renee Beasley Jones, 270-228-2835, [email protected]

To Attend:
The Special Needs Expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at Owensboro Christian Church. Guests should come to the facility’s Door D. This event is free to the public.

Visit the event webpage here.