Home > Special Insights Archive > April - May 2003 > A Message from Max

On Feb 6., 2003, the Atlantic Corridor, in conjunction with Parent Network of WNY, held a round-table dialogue on special education and disabilities with experts from Ireland as part of a nine-day stay in the U.S. At this great event, we had the chance to be ambassadors and share the advances our country has made in the areas of disability rights, special education with individuals with disabilities into the social and educational mainstream, and specialized programs and services to those with special needs here in Western New York.

During the discussion, I was struck by the fact that, even though we have significant challenges facing us due to the current economic climate, we, as a society, have made significant progress for those with disabilities. Our visitors seemed astounded with the services we have been able to build over the years. We had a fascinating discussion from which we all came away wth something positive.

Toward the end of our dialogue, Joe Cozzo of Baker Victory Services, framed our situation astutely by saying "it is the best of times, it was the worst of times." His point was this: on one hand, much good has been done for children with disabilities, yet there is still so much work that still faces us.

Our challenge is to speak out as advocates for our children now, helping them to enjoy protections they deserve so they can actively shape their own future.

Send Max an email at: med@parentnetworkwny.org

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