Recently, a group of eight visitors from the People’s Republic of China arrived in Pensacola as participants of a U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focusing on disability issues. The purpose of the project was to examine federal, state, and local laws and programs intended to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and to explore how citizens influence policy and raise awareness.
To welcome them to the area, Councilmember Sherri Myers greeted the visitors at Pensacola City Hall and gave an overview of the local economy, current demographics, and the role of city government. Following this, they traveled to the Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center where they continued their conversation with Myers and spoke with Director Debbie Stanwood, Independent Living/Assistive Technology Specialist La Vesta Feagin, and Independent Living Specialist/Volunteer Coordinator Danny Broxson to explore the specific services available to disabled citizens in Pensacola.
The group also visited the Student Disability Resource Center of the University of West Florida where they met Associate Director of the Center for Academic Success Tina Likovetz and engaged in a discussion on diversity on a U.S. campus. This dovetailed nicely with a discussion with Florida Inclusion Network and Escambia County School System Officials where Inclusion Specialist Jennifer Schweizer, Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas, Exceptional Student Education Director Teri Szafran, and Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources Emerald Coast Director Allyn Harris highlighted inclusion in the classroom.
A site visit to the Independence for the Blind of Northwest Florida included discussion with Executive Director Becky Kirsch who shared the educational mission of this nonprofit dedicated to services for the visually impaired. The Chinese visitors noted afterward their admiration for the training taking place at the facility.
The group also experienced volunteerism, an important part of American culture, when they joined locals at a CIVITAN project building two handicap ramps at a home. Fred Knodel facilitated the activity which was well received by the group as it gave the CIVITANs and the visitors a chance to laugh and learn together.
The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council thanks everyone who helped make this project a success, including locals who interacted with them at the Pensacola Seafood Festival and at Pensacola Beach over the weekend. The project was all the more successful because members Paula Drummond and Joe Hemmer, John Toole and Judith Brooks, and Jean Norman opened their homes for dinner parties for the group, providing another insight into American culture.
