Vincent Smith School Special Education /
College Fair Exposes Parents to Providers

The Vincent Smith School hosted its 6th Annual Special Education College Fair on Sunday, November 4, 2009. The theme of this year's fair was, "It's Okay to Learn Differently." Vincent Smith, located in Port Washington, is the premier independent school on Long Island dedicated to serving the needs of learning disabled students and reluctant learners in grades 4-12.

Vincent Smith School Board trustees and administrators created the Special Education/College Fair in response to the Island-wide call to share information about learning disabilities. The annual fair has a history of meeting the ever-increasing needs of Long Island's parents and professionals who have ties to special education. It would not have been possible without the support of North Fork Bank, Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, MetDesk – William Heslin and Gloria Wagner, the Law Offices of Beth Polner Abrahams, Esq. and the Law Offices of Neal Rosenberg, Esq. who served as this year's sponsors. Each of these organizations and individuals has a history of working to improve special education services on Long Island.

The special education fair allowed participants to access information from the Island's service providers – parent organizations, after school programs, education remediation, hospital providers, financial planners, legal advisory services, transition planners, preschool programs, college programs, etc. "We have found the special education fair to be an important aspect of our community outreach," said Arlene Wishnew, Head of School. "Without the generous support of our sponsors and the commitment to participate from service providers, a lot of families would not have important information about or access to, needed services."

Professional organizations that participated in this year's special education fair included, but are not limited to, Accessible Learning Technology Alternatives; Adelphi University/Speech and Hearing Center; AHA; Beacon College; CHADD of Nassau County; Cody Center for Autism; College Internship Program (Berkshire Center); College Living Experience; Dowling College; East Meadow Little League Challenger Division; Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism-North Shore/LIJ; Valerie Gaus, Ph.D., Cognitive Behavioral Therapist; HorseAbility Therapeutic Riding Program; Included Educational Services; Institute for Behavioral Health/Focus Through Fun; Landmark College; Law Offices of John McGrath, Esq.; Law Offices of Frank Tortora, Esq.; Links to Learning; Long Island Advocacy Center; Long Island Neuropsychological Consultants; Mosaic Foundation for Autism; Nassau BOCES; New York Institute of Technology – VIP Program; New York Life Insurance Company; North Shore Child and Family Guidance; NYIT – VIP Program; OMRDD – LIDSSO, Power Pals, Inc.; Round Lake Camp; Sid Jacobson JCC; Spark Development Centers; St. John's University/Center for Psychiatric Services; St. John's University/Speech & Hearing Center; Thames Academy at Mitchell College; The Trust Partners; VESID; and the Vincent Smith School. Countless other organizations sent informational materials that were shared with visitors at a resource table.

Organizations who are interested in participating in next year's Special Education Fair and being added to our mailing list for vendors may contact Debra Galinsky at 516-365-4900 or by email at dgalinsky@vincentsmithschool.org.