[Ohiogirl]

In one of my past lives, I was a special education teacher. One of my jobs (moved a lot due to ex-husband's career) was teaching life skills to a group of mentally disabled adults. Was kind of like a home ec class once a week. We planned a meal one week, shopped another (we could walk to a grocery store), cooked, did sewing repairs (buttons, seams, ripped hems, etc). Nothing they probably hadn't all learned before, but it was a social night out for most of them.

Most of my students lived in a couple of group homes and some had outside jobs. Various levels of functioning. They all enjoyed it and I would have offered it again except I moved. It was quite popular.

I am not proposing to do this myself in The Villages, but I bet someone might be interested. Would think it could be offered as a Lifelong learning class. I think those who are not Villages residents but live nearby can also take those classes, just pay a higher fee than residents.

Would also think that for those not mentally challenged that the parents, with effort and maybe contacts thru churches or local agencies, could set up a social club for adult children with physical but not mental disabilities. Maybe games nights, movie nights, etc. or whatever they decide to do. Maybe they could eventually add sub-clubs (interest groups, like book clubs, different card/game stuff, etc). Would think this could be either at a rec center or a local church who is interested. Yes, I know they could come to the regular clubs, but am guessing they get tired of being with old people all the time. Some willing parents need to take the lead, most likely.

Posting on here would be a good start, but someone also needs to talk to the rec dept and the lifelong learning college. Maybe someone already has and could respond.