NO Limits: Theater for children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (Add'l blog #5)

No Limits is a program located in California whose goal it is to help build up children's communication skills and self-confidence through an after school program and a theater program....but not just any children, children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.  Some people may be able to afford a speech language pathologist to help their children develop their abilities, however many people do not have the financial means to afford these services. No Limits was established with lower income families in mind who need the help but may not be able to afford it otherwise. Some of the services they provide include individual therapy, biweekly literacy program, weekly parent education courses, computer training, theatre and public speaking program , language enriched programs and support groups for children and their families. I think that this is a wonderful program that has the potential to change thousands of children and families lives. When you are a child, it doesn't take long before you realize that you are different from your peers and at that age, children can be very judgemental and exclusive. When I was younger I had a speech problem myself and I can still remember being made fun of, and that was about 12 years ago. By being in a program with people who are in similar situations, I think it would be easier because they can identify with the struggles that you have gone through. I also think it's great that No Limits provides education for the children's families because they are the ones who spend the most time with the kids and can make the most impact. At the end of every 10 week session, No Limits has a graduation to recognize the accomplishments that the children have made. It's great that they have an "incentive" to motivate the kids and give them a way to measure how far they've come. All in all I think that this is an awesome program that can make an impact that thousands of children. To learn more, visit their website here.  For information on OTHER theater-related programs for peole with disabilities, click here.
Until next time, katie