FOR RELEASE: September 20, 2004

Contact: Steve Tirey, (239) 278-4001

The Chamber of Southwest Florida and the Sensitivity Awareness Workshop, Inc. Partner to bring a life changing program to Southwest Florida

Organizations seeking to develop and build awareness and sensitivity in their daily work or educational environment have a new resource to draw upon. The Chamber of Southwest Florida and the Sensitivity Awareness Workshop, Inc. have partnered to bring this life-changing program to businesses, government and educational organizations in Southwest Florida. To help kick-off this partnership, the Chamber is sponsoring a series of luncheons to be held in Naples and Fort Myers to introduce the Workshop to industry and educational leaders. The purpose of the Sensitivity Awareness Workshop, Inc., Inc is to educate individuals about people who have physical, mental or learning disabilities through a hands-on, interactive program. This Workshop offers organizations a comprehensive program that fosters understanding and a sincere sense of compassion and empathy towards those with disabilities.

Lisa Cronin Miller, whose daughter Rachal attends the Exceptional Student Education Life Skills program in Lee County, started the Workshop. By using specially designed interactive task centers that simulate a disability, the Workshop provides participants the opportunity to experience first-hand how it feels to live as a person dealing with a physical, mental, or learning disability. The concept of the Workshop was a result of how ‘typical’ students mistreated Rachal and her fellow classmates at a school dance in August 2003. “It was devastating”, says Lisa. “I thought if I could share with them the circumstances surrounding Rachal’s life and give them each an opportunity to experience and ‘walk-in-the-shoes’ of someone with a disability, then they would look at Rachal and others like her in a new and compassionate way.”

“At some point in our life we all come in contact with a person that has a disability,” said Lisa. “While they may be ‘different,’ we need to demonstrate compassion and empathy, not pity or sympathy. Our goal is to change one heart at a time and that is exactly what the Workshop is accomplishing.” To date, thousands of people have completed the Workshop.

Steve Tirey, President of The Chamber of Southwest Florida, stated, “According to the 2000 US Census, one in every five Americans has been diagnosed with some type of disability. Every day, all of us share our schools or workplace with someone that has a physical, mental or learning disability. As the Southwest Florida region grows, we need to learn to better relate to people with disabilities. The Chamber’s partnership with the Sensitivity Awareness Workshop, Inc. is a joint effort to deliver this life-changing program to Southwest Florida.”

For more information about the Workshops, including dates and locations, visit our website at www.chamber-swflorida.com or call (239) 278-4001. You may also visit the Sensitivity Awareness Workshop, Inc. website at www.sawoneheart.com or call them at 239.466.6344.

The Chamber of Southwest Florida is a regional business membership organization with members in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades Counties. Chamber members are regional employers and many provide products and services across the region. The Chamber’s “Business Building Leadership” mission is driven by governmental advocacy, leadership development, strategic business information products and membership services. Information about the regional Chamber is available at www.chamber-swflorida.com.

SAW of SWFL, Inc. is a Florida 501(c)3 Non Profit Corporation. All gifts of cash or securities are fully tax deductible under IRS law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.
© 2003 Sensitivity Awareness Workshop of Southwest Florida, Inc. All Rights Reserved.