A non-profit organization
The Joseph Sams School (JSS) in Fayetteville, Georgia is a one-of-a-kind educational facility. Founded in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Joseph Sams School is dedicated to the education and life skills development of children who are intellectually, physically or developmentally challenged helping them to reach their full developmental potential. While many schools serve children with a particular disability or level of functioning, The JSS is broader in scope and holds the distinction of being the only fully-accredited school in the state of Georgia that provides educational and therapeutic services for children birth through 22 years of age who have mild to severe disabilities. In addition, The JSS is one of 26 schools nationwide to be a model site for MOVE (Mobility Opportunities Via Education)® International and one of only two programs utilizing MOVE in the state of Georgia. MOVE is a program which provides children with severe physical disabilities opportunities for acquiring independence in mobility skills, including becoming weight bearing, walking with assistance and eventually independently.
With no geographic restrictions for admission, students come from a ten county area of metro Atlanta and south central Georgia. Throughout its 26 year history, The JSS has grown in enrollment from serving 6 students in 1984-85 to 70 students in the current school year through its various programs and services. Programs include:
The JSS maintains a commitment to finding and utilizing the most effective methods of training and educating children with disabilities. A piece of equipment that is so simple to most of us can be a major hurdle in acquiring when dealing with a child with special needs. It is therefore essential for our students to have the opportunity to enjoy a fun and recreational activity that also benefits them physically and that most people would take for granted. The bikes would be used at school with our students, but would also be available to families to check out on weekends. A bicycle is a vehicle that almost everyone learns to ride in their lifetime and we feel they should be available to all persons regardless of their limitations.
Interested in learning more? Click here to read a letter of recommendation for the Joseph Sams School from Heather Kontos, PT at Kool Kidz Inc. Click here to read a letter of recommendation for the Joseph Sams School from Stacey Caldwell.
