Move To Include

We learn about the StarAbility Foundation, which works to transform the lives of people with disabilities through social, vocational and educational connections to the community, while strengthening awareness and respect for individual abilities.

We learn about the Fort Myers nonprofit My Autism Connection, which as brought adults on the spectrum together since 2012. Its mission is to provide experiential opportunities for adults diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder to help them develop skills towards independence and building healthy relationships.

We’re exploring life for people who are visually impaired during the coronavirus outbreak and the social distancing guidelines that have come with it.

Magali Saldana Secos, who goes by Maggie, has had vision problems throughout her life. Despite glaucoma, cataracts, and corneal edema, Maggie was able to maintain sight in her left eye. Three years ago when vision in that eye began to fade, Saldana Secos said she had to learn how to do everyday things, like placing a coffee cup on a table, using her sense of touch."It's a huge demanding mental process, because you have to touch first your cup you are not anymore a sighted person you are a touching person now," Saldana Secos said. "So you have to touch your cup and figure out where is the handle, and you have to touch your table in order to be aware that your cup is not at the edge and it will fall."Saldana Secos said she then had to relearn how to navigate the world around because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the month of July WGCU is celebrating the 30th anniversary with the “Move to Include” initiative, a nationwide public media effort that seeks to inspire and motivate people to embrace different abilities and include all people in all aspects of life.