Miami-Dade Transition Fair a Success
By Maria Angeles LinaresOn Wednesday afternoon, April 8, my colleague Michael Cardello and I made our way to A.D. Barnes Park, just west of Coral Gables, to represent APD and the Southern Region at the first Transition Fair hosted by Miami-Dade County Parks Disability Services. This event was one of our observances of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A nightmare of traffic was followed by rain. Frankly, we were concerned that this event was going to be a bust. Attendance at these affairs is usually sketchy, but when you add heavy rush-hour traffic and rain to the mix, the prospects are not good.
The event was scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. When the rain stopped at around the starting time, it was a very good sign. At about 5:15 p.m., a crowd of people suddenly entered the lodge and for the next two hours it was nonstop for Michael and me. At one point it looked like we were giving away hot dogs, the line of people waiting to speak to us was so long. We were asked for help with eligibility, and other usual questions about the waiver. But most importantly, many parents wanted help with finding employment for their teens transitioning from the school system or just simply looking for a summer job. That was music to our ears!
Attendees at the Transition Fair get info at the APD table.
The turnout was impressive and more than we could have hoped for. We took the opportunity to inform our guests about the ADA turning 25. Everyone was delighted with the community interest. There were times during the fair that the noise of everyone talking at the same time was so loud, Michael and I could not hear each other despite sitting side-by-side!
We left the park at 7:30 p.m., tired but pleased with our work. It had been a very long day, but well worth the effort. Thursday would be another day at the regional office and the multitude of phone calls would begin. So much need, so little time.
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