Provide Equal Recreational Programs for Our Developmently Disabled Children

Lee County, Florida has ??,??? children enrolled in public schools. Not counting the gifted children, there are ?,??? Students who are special needs. This represents ?.??% of the public school population. The only year round program offered for these children is at the Drew’s Center. For school holidays and summer vacation, they offer a program for 18 children.

In the spring there is TOPS Soccer. It offers special needs students an opportunity to learn the basics of soccer and time to socialize with other children, including “Buddies” who are typical children. It runs on Saturday mornings from 9:30am until 11:45am for ten weeks. There is also Challenge Baseball. Children play on Saturdays from ??? to ??? for ??? weeks. It overlaps TOPS Soccer for several weeks.

Most of the year there are no programs for kids with special needs. If ??.?? students in Lee County are special needs then that percentage of our recreational programs should be for them.

Please sign this petition asking our County government to provide equitable recreational services for our special needs kids. They deserve the right to have as much fun as our typical kids.

Thank you.