The Elizabeth Lee Black School provides opportunities for students to explore their surroundings, learn, enjoy themselves, and achieve their highest potential. We are breaking barriers that hinder student participation in academic and recreational activities by developing programs and infrastructure with inclusivity at the forefront. These initiatives include:  

Cooking Up Practical Life Skills  

The ability to plan meals, understand kitchen and safety best practices, make smart food choices, and prepare healthy entrees and snacks is a skill that requires hands-on experience.  

Thanks to a grant from the Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust, the Elizabeth Lee Black School will establish a fully accessible kitchen with practical adaptations designed to meet our secondary students’ needs.  

This state-of-the-art kitchen will feature wheelchair accessible countertops, a spacious floor plan, and a wide range of meal preparation equipment perfectly designed to help students move toward greater independence and self-sufficiency while also giving them a taste of job opportunities in hospitality and service-related roles.  

Anticipated completion is spring 2025. 

Building A Playground of the Future, Now 

The Elizabeth Lee Black School has enhanced its playground with ADA-compliant equipment, ensuring all students, regardless of ability, can enjoy outdoor activities. This upgrade was made possible through the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Grant. 

The new additions, Odyssey Hall and Inclusive Whirl, which are both made by Miracle Recreation™, provide a rich sensory experience. Students can engage with various tactile elements, listen, see, and play in their own unique ways. 

The Odyssey Hall includes features like textured roto panels and twisting treads, offering multiple play paths. It also has a wheelchair-accessible route, allowing every student to explore and have fun. 

The Inclusive Whirl offers a safe and comfortable spinning experience, designed to be level with the ground for easy wheelchair access. It also includes additional seating for more inclusive play.  

For more information about Miracle Recreation™ and its product line, visit www.miracle-recreation.com.  

Helping Students Beat the Beast  

The Barber Beast on the Bay is approaching its 11th year on Saturday, September 7. The 10-Mile Course features over 30 rigorous obstacles that challenge even the most well-trained athletes.  

The Adaptive Course, which features over 15 unique obstacles the involve pulling, pushing, carrying, and navigating, is fully accessible and coincides with the 10-Mile Challenges. Many of our students participate in the Adaptive Course.  

Regardless of which course someone participates in during the race, everyone can Beat the Beast and be a champion for the Barber National Institute’s mission of making dreams come true for the students and individuals we serve.  

I will be taking a break from blogging for the month of August. See you back in September!