Photo (Left to Right): Tammy Simmons, M.S., CCC-SLP; Monika Garner-Smith, M.Ed.; and Cindy Young, M.S., CCC-SLP.

ACCESS Group Inc. was founded by three women – two speech-language pathologists and a special educator – who have a passion for educating children with learning differences. They were identified by peers early in their careers as having a gift for creating curriculum and training others. While each founder has found a special niche with the area of therapy and education, they all share the creativity and passion for excellence that has pushed ACCESS into the position of the best educational and therapy solution in Arkansas.

The Founders

Tammy Simmons, CEO and Founder, ACCESS Group Inc.

Tammy Simmons, M.S., CCC-SLP, chief executive officer of ACCESS Group Inc., is one of the three founding members of the organization. She is responsible for all aspects of administration, including budgeting, fundraising and board development. She also serves as the program director for ACCESS Academy.

Simmons began her career working as a speech-language pathologist at Easter Seals Arkansas. She worked at the Pulaski County Tri-District Early Childhood Program and was in private practice before co-founding ACCESS in 1994. A graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she has a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders, with minors in music and psychology, and a master’s degree in communicative disorders.

At ACCESS, Simmons specializes in technology, curriculum development and grant writing. She is certified in the DuBard Association Method.

Simmons is a former Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 honoree and UALR College of Professional Studies 2010 Alumna of the Year. She is a member of The International Dyslexia Association. She is a frequent guest speaker and has served as a presenter at universities, at state conferences (Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Special Show), at a National Reading Panel conference and at The Division for Early Childhood Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs & Their Families.

Simmons recently presented Expanding Educational Outcomes at the 61st Annual Southern Early Childhood Association Conference. She co-authored “Tools for Literacy and Communication: A Collection of Stories” (1994).

Simmons' speaking engagements include:

• Presenter, Advancing Knowledge, Enhancing Opportunities, International Division of Early Childhood Conference (2006)
• Keynote speaker, Tools for Literacy and Communication, 13^th Annual DuBard Symposium, Dyslexia and Related Disorders (2009)
• Presenter, Language Is the Key to Academic Success, ArkSHA 2009 Convention, Caring for Communication
• Presenter, Organization: Getting Ready to Learn, Arkansas Council for Exceptional Children 2009 Annual Conference, Embracing Student Success (2009)

Cindy Young, COO and Founder, ACCESS Group Inc.

Cindy Young, M.S.E., CCC-SLP, chief operations officer of ACCESS Group Inc., is one of the three founding members of the organization. She is responsible for day-to-day operations, including therapy, education, diagnostics, admissions, ACCESS Preschool curriculum training and ACCESS Ceramics.

Young began her career working as a speech-language pathologist in Midland, Texas, at a birth-to-3 intervention program. She later worked at Easter Seals Arkansas and in private practice before co-founding ACCESS in 1994. A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, she has a master’s degree in communication disorders.

At ACCESS, Young specializes in oral motor dysfunction and feeding disorders, early childhood, apraxia and literacy. She is certified in the DuBard Association Method and Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT).

Young is an alumna and member of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XX. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association and The International Dyslexia Association. She is a frequent guest speaker and has served as a presenter at state conferences (Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Special Show), at a National Reading Panel conference and at The Division for Early Childhood Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs & Their Families.

Young recently presented Oral Motor and Feeding and Improving Language Skills Through Play at her alma mater, UCA. She co-authored “Tools for Literacy and Communication: A Collection of Stories” (1994).

Young's speaking engagements include:

• Presenter, Advancing Knowledge, Enhancing Opportunities, International Division of Early Childhood Conference (2006)
• Keynote speaker, Tools for Literacy and Communication, 13^th Annual DuBard Symposium, Dyslexia and Related Disorders (2009)
• Presenter, Language Is the Key to Academic Success, ArkSHA 2009 Convention, Caring for Communication
• Expanding Education Outcomes, 61st Annual Southern Early Childhood Association Conference, The Early Childhood Years: A Time of Opportunity (2010)
• Presenter, Literacy for Young Children: Begin With Books, 2010 Arkansas Literary Festival

Monika Garner-Smith, Preschool Specialist and Founder, ACCESS Group Inc.

Monika Garner-Smith, M.Ed., ACCESS Group Inc. preschool specialist, is one of the three founding members of the organization. She serves as preschool curriculum coordinator.

Garner-Smith began her career as a special educator at Easter Seals Arkansas, working there for eight years before co-founding ACCESS Preschool in 1995. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she has a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in early childhood special education. She is certified in The DuBard Association Method, as well as early childhood education (birth to Grade 3), elementary education (Grades K-6) and special education (Grades K-12).

Garner-Smith is a member of the Arkansas Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Early Childhood. She has served as a guest speaker at the annual national Division for Early Childhood conference; at the Arkansas Department of Education Special Show biennial conference; and at several parent and professional training workshops as part of the ACCESS Founders Series.

Garner-Smith's speaking engagements include:

• Presenter, Advancing Knowledge, Enhancing Opportunities, International Division of Early Childhood Conference (2006)
• Presenter, Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum, Arkansas Council for Exceptional Children 2009 Annual Conference, Embracing Student Success
• Presenter, Beyond Books: Incorporating Literature Across the Curriculum, Central Arkansas Catholic Teachers Development Day (2009)