ACCESS Celebrates 30 Years of Expanding Individual Potential Through Innovative Instruction
LITTLE ROCK, AR – ACCESS®, a cornerstone in the community for individuals with special needs, proudly celebrates 30 years of service and growth. Established in 1994 by co-founders Tammy Simmons and Monika Garner-Smith, ACCESS began as a small therapy clinic with just one preschool classroom and seven clients, operating on a modest $300,000 annual budget. Today, ACCESS has flourished into a multi-faceted organization with over 500 employees and an annual budget exceeding $23 million.
What started as a small initiative has grown exponentially to serve over 1,000 clients per year throughout Arkansas and surrounding states. ACCESS now provides a wide range of services, including education, therapy, evaluations, vocational training, community integration, and mental health services, to individuals from six weeks old through adulthood. This growth has been driven by the needs of the community, with parents and local advocates playing a crucial role in the expansion of ACCESS’s offerings.
"Over the past 30 years, the support from the Little Rock community has been nothing short of incredible," said Tammy Simmons, co-founder of ACCESS. "We are proud to be a part of this community, working to expand individual potential through innovative instruction for people of all abilities. From our humble beginnings with just three employees and seven students, we have grown thanks to the dedication of hundreds of team members who have changed the trajectory of thousands of lives. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to continuing our mission to ensure those with special needs have access to opportunities that allow them to live as independently as possible and find purpose and meaning in their lives."
The success and expansion of ACCESS have been made possible through the unwavering support of corporations, foundations, individual donors, and the local medical and educational communities. As ACCESS reflects on its remarkable journey over the past three decades, the organization remains committed to its mission of expanding individual potential and serving as a vital resource for individuals with special needs.
About ACCESS
ACCESS® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding individual potential through innovative instruction. ACCESS offers a range of services including full-time education, therapy, vocational training, and community integration for individuals with special needs. The organization includes the ACCESS Early Childhood Program, ACCESS Academy, ACCESS Therapy, ACCESS Academic Therapy, Vocation Innovation Project, ACCESS Life, Project SEARCH® Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative, CES Medicaid Waiver, ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center (AERC), Mental Health Therapy, ACCESS Gardens, and ACCESS Ceramics. For more information, visit www.AccessGroupInc.org.
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For additional information, please contact Krysten Levin, Marketing Manager, at (501) 217-8600 or via email at krysten.levin@accessgroupinc.org.