Dances for disabled adults scaled back to one per year
Due to changing circumstances and the diminished availability of volunteers, the Genesee County Dances for Adults with Developmental Disabilities has decided to only hold one dance per year, according to dance coordinator Pat Iamon.
With the help of many, many dedicated volunteers, the dances have been sponsored by Byron Ladies Auxiliary and held at the Byron Fire Hall.
The dances, always well-attended with fun, timely themes, started back in 2002 as part of an internship project by Iamon, then a student at SUNY Brockport. This “one-time” event grew into monthly dances from September through May. Last year, the dances were cut back from nine to three.
They provided much-needed community-based fun for all of Genesee County’s adults with developmental disabilities living at home, in group homes or in facilities.
“Circumstances have changed for us and sadly it’s time that we cut back on the dances to one per year," Iamon said. "Our volunteers are mostly retired and some of us head South for most of the winter; so rather than stop the dances all together, we decided to cut back to one great dance per year."
She plans to make the announcement at the next dance -- the PJ Dance from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 12th at the Byron Fire Hall.
As always the dances are open to all individuals with developmental disabilities ages 13 and up living in Genesee County. Anyone wanting more information on the dances can call Pat Iamon 245-2918 or Laura Platt 548-2245.
These are photos submitted from previous dances and published on The Batavian.
