Brendan Coon explains his hand cycle to a student

Northwood Elementary School in Hilton was abuzz with activity on October 28, 2009 as staff and volunteers from The Advocacy Center provided a day long disability awareness experience for the fourth graders. 

Students had the opportunity to navigate a wheelchair obstacle course, try out adaptive equipment, and participate in exercises designed to increase their understanding of what it is like to live with a disability.  The day concluded with an interactive drumming performance by Matt Giordano, a talented local musician who has Tourette syndrome.

Students sent thank you notes, which included comments like:

"Anyone with a disability can learn." ~ Chloe

"I learned that people look different on the outside but in the inside they are the same." ~ Anthony

Visit the Northwood Elementary School website for more information.

Colleen Brown, Public Education Coordinator at The Advocacy Center, worked in collaboration with the staff at Northwood to organize the event.   For more information about disability awareness, please contact Colleen at (585) 546-1700 ext. 267.