Rockwall County Library expands program offerings for disabled adults

Rockwall County Library expands program offerings for disabled adults

Rockwall, TX (September 12, 2024) – The Rockwall County Library has expanded program offerings to the disabled adult population in Rockwall County and beyond. While continuing to host a job training program in partnership with Rockwall ISD and the non-profit My Possibilities from Plano, the library is excited to welcome four new adult candidates from RISD this Fall. These adult students will receive job skills training at the library for three months as they build work and socialization skills.

The library also hosts two adult disabled programs each month led by special education teacher, Amber Waggoner, from Rockwall High School.  The program, called SHINE, stands for “Successful, Helping, Integrate, Navigate, Educate.”

Additionally, a more recent addition includes a partnership with the North Texas chapter of Best Buddies, an international organization with a vision statement of “Offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”

Best Buddies schedules visits and programs at the library once a month hosting various social activities such as a movie night, a game night, and are currently planning a Halloween party with costumes, food and fun! The party, to be held on October 17th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the library, is open to disabled adults throughout the area.

Rockwall County Library staff are honored to partner with a variety of wonderful organizations to support disabled adults and their families, and to host events for the larger community.  With few programs, services and opportunities offered to disabled adults once they graduate high school, all are encouraged to attend. As a county facility and community advocate, the Rockwall County Library is actively working to bridge this gap and deliver quality programming and services to underserved disabled adults and their families.

Submitted by Tenille Miller, Rockwall County Library, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photos.