This is a newspaper article in my Grandmother, Gladys Donaldson Ross’, possessions. My Aunt Judy was handicapped and that lifelong endeavor lead my Grandma to be involved in these issues.

“School Petition Goes to House

“An Ogden area delegation called on the Utah Legislature Thursday bearing a petition with 1,509 names.

“Their goal: A school to accommodate handicapped children in Weber County not receiving an education and mentally capable of benefiting from schooling.

“Rep. Elizabeth Vance (D-Ogden) received members of the “General Public Committee” in the Utah House. She said efforts will be made to work with the State Board of Education in developing a school plant (plan?) and staff to serve the handicapped.

Also in some of her clippings was this article from Ms. Vance.

“Education Center

“Editor, Standard-Examiner:

“I am wondering why the Ogden City Board of Education, the Weber County Board of Education and the State Board of Education cannot find it in their budgets to maintain the Ogden-Weber Education Center at 1100 Orchard Avenue, Ogden, at its full personnel capacity.

“I believe that there never should be seven teachers’ aides dismissed, and three teachers not rehired this fall. If there ever was a necessity for increasing the help at this school instead of decreasing personnel, the time is now.

“These teachers and helpers work with the handicapped children, and I seriously doubt if any other teacher in the state has a more demanding vocation; a place where such kindness, tolerance, understanding and perserverance is needed. It makes me very distressed when I see all the talk of increases for other schools, and this school where we need help so vitally in my opinion being neglected for the same of $29,000.

“I hope that the legislators will come to the aid of this school and see that these boards of education do not neglect these children who have no lobbyist intervening for them.

“Elizabeth Vance

“Ogden