Plano East Student Motivates Others to Embrace Accessibility

December 4, 2009

Toby Haferman has been disabled, or as he says "specially-abled," all of his life. He doesn't see people with disabilities. He sees people with special abilities.

Toby and his teacher Gail Morrison paid a special visit to Dr. Doug Otto, superintendent, and Danny Modisette, deputy superintendent, at their district office at the Plano ISD Administration Building which served as his most recent job site.

The Plano East Senior High School student is completing his final year in Community Based Vocational Education (CBVE) or, as it is commonly known, the "School-to-Work" program. He juggles a part-time volunteer jobs with the launch of his own accessibility evaluation service, "Is it Really Accessible?," in which he serves as owner and CEO.

Toby's near mastery of a high-tech augmentative communication device, the Vangaurd 84, helps him speak through voice activation. From a dot on his forehead, an infrared beam tracks icons on the computer screen behind which are "word predicts." He strings together several words to form fluent sentences.

Toby shared his passions for working and for helping others with special abilities when he paid a special visit to the offices of Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto and Deputy Superintendent Danny Modisette. "I want you to think of some job that a special person could do," Toby told the district leaders. "Remember special abilities. Okay. Now put that person (to work) somewhere after school."

Teacher Gail Morrison, who often accompanies Toby on his daily rounds delivering mail, said that Toby, who has had Cerebral Palsy from birth, has a high cognitive level and is very social. His passions for advising businesses and schools about accessibility issues are equal to his passion for helping other special students across the school district learn to make better use of their augmentative communication devices and to lead successful, fulfilling lives.

Toby is currently in his "super senior year" at Plano East Senior High School. He took what's called a "social walk" with his Class of 2009. However, he will receive his high school diploma in 2010, following his final career studies course and after gaining further work experience.

Ms. Morrison coordinates the east cluster schools' CBVE program and works directly with five job coaches who serve 27 students, ages 16 to 22, at Plano East Senior High School. The job coaches accompany students as they gain valuable work experience at more than 45 community work sites.

Employers partner with the school to provide on-site training for the students who are on the verge of paid employment. Students generally work for six weeks at one job site then move on to another. During the course of a year, they may gain work experience at six job sites. Counterpart CBVE programs also thrive at Plano and Plano West senior high schools.

"It's a win-win situation for the students and businesses," noted Ms. Morrison. "Students are quality employees - dependable, always on time, never miss work - and employers feel so good about giving back to the community."

Lila Belitz, assistant director for secondary level special education services, noted that a new "Let's Discover " curriculum was recently implemented for CBVE student in grade nine, with plans to expand the curriculum to grades 10-12, which teaches them about industries and jobs within those industries. Students have guest speakers and explore job sites through field trips. Students are able to develop a preference for the industries and the types of jobs for which they are most likely to succeed.

For more information about special education services in Plano schools, contact the district office at (469) 752-8240.

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