Jackson School District marking 4th annual Disability Awareness Week

Jackson is observing Disability Awareness Week beginning today.

This will be the fourth year that schools in the district have hosted events involving education on disabilities.

According to Traci Ritter with the Jackson School District's parenting partnership council, this year's theme is "Everybody Counts," which she said she hopes to see posted on the signs of area businesses as a symbol of support.

Ritter said area businesses are also being asked this week to donate money to complete the construction of Melaina's Magical Playland, an all-accessible playground planned for Cape County Park North.

The playground, Ritter said, will allow children of all ability levels to play together.

In addition to educational events happening this week in area schools, several other events related to disability awareness and assistance will be held in October.

The SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence will hold its annual autism walk from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School to benefit GAPS, or Giving Autistics' Parents Support, which assists families in SADI's service area.

The Cape West Rotary Club will host a dinner auction to benefit Melaina's Magical Playland starting at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Show Me Center.

The Heartland Down Syndrome Association is hosting an awareness walk at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at Cape County Park North.

eragan@semissourian.com

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