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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),a special dinner was hosted at First 5 San Benito on March 16.
Sponsored by the San Benito County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), the evening brought together an invited guest list of people with special needs, their parents, educators and community leaders.
Guest speakers included Jack Preader and Norma Nichols, who shared stories of their special needs children; speech-language pathologist Casandra Guerrero; outgoing San Benito County Superintendent of Schools Krystal Lomanto; and BenitoLink reporter and photographer Adam Bell, a former special needs student at Hollister High School.
The evening concluded with a table-talk discussion of IDEA, facilitated by SELPA Program Specialist Jennifer Henig.
“We’re bringing people together,” she said, “to really talk about 50 years of impact of IDEA, which has changed dramatically since its inception in 1975. We have come to a place where special education is not a location but a service model integrated with all of our students.”
Originally passed as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, the law is intended to improve educational results for children with disabilities as an “essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.”
“Before,” Henig said, “there was always a delineation for special needs students. But now that line has blurred, and they are able to access peers, interact and participate in activities and sports, and do all the great things that all students should be able to access.”
SELPA Director Chris Lompa said that Bell is a perfect example of what special needs students can achieve when they are given the ability to choose a pathway that leads to productive lives.
“Adam is just famous across town,” Lompa said. “He’s a celebrity. But more importantly, Adam has grown into an independent, productive member of society.
“Adam is running his own photography business. His communication skills are very concise, but he has the ability to connect with many people. He’s easy to approach, and I think he’s one of those people who demonstrates the impact that IDEA has on our students.”
During his presentation, Bell spoke about his early years at Margaret Maze Middle School, when he participated in the annual Gifted Games event. Developing an interest in track, he eventually ran a mile in under six minutes.
“I had perfect attendance in high school for eight years,” he said. “How is that possible? Well, you just need to get it done. And I did. And I had great friends. That’s when I started coming out of my shell, and doing all the things I do.”
Bell credits Life Skills teacher Ann Vasquez with encouraging him to explore his options and follow his interests when she told him, “You need to do something with your life.”
“That’s when I began photography,” he said, “Coach Steven Salcedo and his wife Erica gave me my first camera, and I started going crazy taking pictures. Now I’m a photographer and a news reporter, and I feel very independent.”
There were other success stories as well. Preader spoke about his son, Jack, who he described as his best friend and a rock ‘n’ roll fanatic.
“Jack is fully dependent on a wheelchair,” he said, “and on adult assistance for all of his daily living needs. He has significant physical disabilities and speech challenges. We have worked with others to find creative ways to support Jack to meet his needs.”
Learning to use a joystick and monitor for simple typing, Jack moved on to an iPad, using a stylus attached to his head to manipulate the screen. He has since learned to use an “eye gaze” device, which tracks the motions of his pupils to work an iPad or computer directly.
“It was a real dream come true,” Preader said. “This opened up options for Jack to use it for socialization, gaming and listening to endless rock ‘n’ roll on YouTube.”
Norma Nichols said that her daughter, Ella, has thrived because of the opportunities IDEA has opened for her.
“She was able to be in a classroom with the general population,” she said. “She was able to learn from them and not only learn from them but also excel so much. This girl is just amazing. She’s not defined by her disability. And everybody knows how amazing she is.”
Lompa said she hoped all the dinner guests walked away with an idea of, “How do I spread my wings?” or of taking each other’s hands and working toward inclusion.
“We’re celebrating,” she said, “but we’re also encouraging advocacy to continue. Everything people brought to the table tonight is what makes us shine. It’s what makes our community special and unique.”
Adam Bell’s photography can be found on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, TikTok, Nextdoor and YouTube. His journalism can be found on BenitoLink.
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