

| Leslie DeDora ~ Executive Director |
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The mission of A Touch of Understanding, Inc. is to encourage acceptance and respect for all individuals and to minimize the discrimination and misunderstanding experienced by people with disabilities. What a privilege it is to work with this team of incredible human beings toward our goal! The team of ATOU volunteers has become a circle of friends, more like family than coworkers. This close relationship is easily observed through the laughter and cooperation shown when we arrive for a presentation. The fact that some of us arrive using white canes, service dogs, wheelchairs, artificial legs or arms and share this camaraderie is a lesson in itself. The combination of meeting the teammates, speaking with our disabled volunteers and participating in activity stations gives the students a true glimpse into the lives of disabled people. Through this newfound understanding, students are more likely to invite a person with disabilities into their lives. My life has been enriched exponentially by the friendships I share with individuals with disabilities. It is my hope that the students we reach will have their lives enriched as I have, and enrich the lives of those with disabilities as well. |