Evan Wainwright
"I’m just happy that I was chosen to help"
By Margie Menzel
Posted: 4:49p.m .est, October 08, 2006
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Evan Wainwright wants to change the world, but even he might be surprised at how quickly it’s happening. A second-year TCC student, Evan made history in April when Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to the Governor’s Americans with Disabilities Act Working Group, which helps to implement the ADA and other laws to increase independence and quality of life for Floridians with disabilities.

 

Wainwright and his mother Pamela Wainwright

"My vision is that people with disabilities will be able to lead very normal lives, just like anybody else," said Wainwright, "and be able to do what they want without problems or prejudice."

Wainwright, who has cerebral palsy, and Carlos Montas, a Florida State University senior who is blind, are the first students ever to serve on the board of the ADA Working Group, said Julie Shaw, its director.

"Evan and Carlos have both transitioned from high school to higher education, so they’ve encountered and addressed ADA accommodations in school," Shaw said. "We’ve had a number of parents on the board, and we felt it was time to add students who have disabilities and are active in their communities tolend their perspective as well."

Wainwright is as active as anyone on TCC’s campus: a student senator, a volunteer for Disability Support Services, and a popular entry in the "Mr. TCC" contest. He is studying criminal justice and plans to be an attorney specializing in disability issues. He also won medals for bowling and track and field at the Special Olympics. He sings, writes songs, and plays the drums.

"I try to tell other people with disabilities that if they really want something, they have to be able to stick their neck out," Wainwright said. "Don’t be afraid to speak up; don’t wait for someone to help them."

Wainwright practices what he preaches. As a high school student in Inverness, he fought to be included in his high school’s marching band and played the bass drum from his wheelchair. He had to advocate for himself to get the same computer access as other students. From childhood, he has volunteered for disability-related organizations.

"He’s an impressive young man," said DSS Director Margaret Hardee, who wrote a letter supporting Wainwright’s nomination, "and he does not let anything stand in the way of his enjoying his life."

Wainwright, who gets around campus in an electric wheelchair, is pleased with the note-taking and tutoring services he receives from DSS. The program is considered excellent – and a big reason why TCC graduates a higher percentage of students with disabilities than any of Florida’s other 27 community colleges.

"TCC’s campus is pretty accessible, and the people are friendly and welcoming," said Wainwright. "If I need anything, I can just go to the DSS office or around campus and find what I need pretty easily."

It also helps that Wainwright and his mother, Pamela, are as effective a pair of advocates as you could find. Both credit Joe Wainwright, husband and father, for his unwavering support; Evan is also close with his brother. Pamela Wainwright, an educator, works for the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration. After "20 years as a parent advocate," she and Evan have learned by trial and error to find the services he needs.

"It was a learning experience to really get to know what services were available and how to access each individual service," she said. "It is difficult because funding is limited."

Pamela Wainwright moved to Tallahassee with her son when he came to TCC from Inverness, where the rest of the family remained. They have just bought a home for Evan and are making it handicap accessible.

TCC’s Disability Support Services is considered outstanding for many reasons – including its well-loved director, Hardee – but support from the TCC Foundation helps the program say yes instead of no to students needing services. The Foundation provides scholarships that are specific to students with disabilities and equipment that makes it possible for them to get around campus.

"We are able to do this through the generosity of private donors and partnerships such as the Able Trust and Woodland Hall Academy," said Foundation Director Marjorie Turnbull.

This year the Foundation provided $37,000 for TCC students with disabilities.

And Evan Wainwright is living his dream: valued for who he is, no more, no less. "The students around campus have looked at me more as Evan," he said, "and not as the person in the wheelchair." Now he’s taking his vision to the next level