ACCESS GROUP INC.: A History

ACCESS Group Inc. opened in 1994 as Advanced Children’s Therapy, a speech, physical and occupational therapy clinic, in Little Rock, Ark. The group was co-founded by Tammy Simmons, M.S., CCC-SLP, and Cindy Young, M.S.E., CCC-SLP. Monika Garner-Smith, M. Ed., joined Simmons and Young a year later to help co-found ACCESS Preschool. All three co-founders continue to lead ACCESS; Simmons serves as chief executive officer, Garner-Smith as preschool program specialist and Young as chief operating officer.

ACCESS was formerly located at the Evergreen Professional Building in Little Rock, at the corner of Evergreen and University Avenue. Three years later, ACCESS Academy for school-age students opened with two classrooms. Therapy Director Cheri Stevenson joined the group at that time.

Although growth had been steady since its beginning, ACCESS enjoyed tremendous growth in 2001, when it moved to its current location at 10618 Breckenridge Dr. in the former Little Rock Christian Academy campus. The move provided the space to triple the student and teacher populations.

With the room to begin activities outside the classroom, the ACCESS Gardens and ACCESS Ceramics programs began in 2003. Both financially self-sustained programs offer educational value, entrepreneurial training and opportunities for community support.

The move to Breckenridge Drive also allowed ACCESS to broaden student activities. With more students, ACCESS added cheerleading, swim and track teams and participation in local and state Special Olympics programs. Other activities include student council, prom and the ACCESS Adventure summer program, as well as monthly youth events. In 2006, ACCESS incorporated a character education program that promotes making healthy, responsible choices during the formative years.

Since then, ACCESS has continued to meet the needs of surrounding communities, opening the ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center in 2005 and offering ACCESS Academic Therapy in 2007. The AERC provides psychological and psycho-educational evaluations given by an on-staff clinical psychologist. It currently serves Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Missouri.

The AERC also supplies parents and educators with information on technology specifically designed for people with learning disabilities. ACCESS applied to be a demonstration site for various software companies and now serves as an information and training center for Cambien Learning Technologies, Crick Software, Don Johnston Learning Center and SoftTouch. The center also includes the ACCESS Founders Series, a year-round schedule of topical workshops and seminars presented for parents and educators by ACCESS leaders.

Established as a 501c3 nonprofit organization in 1997, ACCESS exists to expand individual potential through innovative instruction. A 14-member board of dedicated community leaders supports the organization with guidance and fundraising efforts.

ACCESS serves 150 students annually through the preschool and academy and more than 300 annually through ACCESS Therapy and ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center. Future plans include a retail and residential community for adults with disabilities.