Making KC Accessible for All is the one stop site for KC families with loved ones needing disability resources. MKCA helps to make finding Kansas City based special education resources even easier and in one spot.
The story behind Master Ko and the Explorer’s Program.
Bronson Ko (Master Ko) started his martial arts journey as a student at the age of four. He began teaching others martial arts at the age of fifteen and continues today for one, simple reason; to pass along the life changing benefits martial arts provides. He believes that martial arts is much more than kicking, punching, and what is portrayed in the movies. It is a way of life that can help people discover the best versions of themselves.
Helping people with special needs is a personal mission for Master Ko. He is the father of a beautiful, seven year old son with Autism. Through the Explorer’s Special Needs Program he began at Ko Martial Arts (KOMA), he has witnessed the power of martial arts in helping people with special needs. The program supports individuals in overcoming their personal struggles and obstacles such as social interaction, verbal communication, physical activity, core strength, coordination, and most importantly, learning how to learn.
At KOMA, students are viewed as individuals with unique challenges and circumstances. Students are never compared to each other. The caring instructors support and encourage each student to reach their full potential. Our students are more than just customers of our martial arts program. They are family...the KOMA Family.
Meet the Instructor, Mrs. Ryan.
Stephanie Ryan is a Behavioral Therapist specializing in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and early intervention in children with Autism. She believes that people with special needs, especially children, are the most vulnerable population among us and advocating for their needs is a calling she cannot ignore.
Over many years of practicing in-home therapy, as well as having a sibling with Autism, the number one grievance she has heard from parents was that school is the only opportunity for socialization for their child. More often than not, even this outlet is insufficient due to a lack of proper resources that facilitate interactions with a-typical students.
For that reason, she partnered with Ko Martial Arts to create an innovative, science based learning program for people with special needs that unites natural environment learning with an exciting extracurricular outlet. Combining therapy with sports creates a unique opportunity for comprehensive, life changing progress. The classes are designed to be fun and engaging for children, while also developing self discipline and physical strength in an inclusive, encouraging environment. The program also utilizes science based techniques to develop concept formation, fine and gross motor skills, verbal skills, social skills and social inclusion.
KOMA’s mission is to build character through martial arts excellence. The goal for Explorer’s students is to begin the learning process with an individualized, tailored curriculum that sets them up for future success in a group setting, while considering each student’s individual needs and pace. Classes are not limited to children. The KOMA family also invites adults to experience the lifelong benefits of learning Taekwondo and is thrilled that MKCA is now a resource for valuable activities available to the Kansas City community.
Ko Martial Arts has two locations in Kansas City:
KOMA of South Overland Park
15030 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, KS 66223
KOMA of North Olathe
21701 College Blvd Olathe KS 66061
https://www.thekoma.com/information/explorers
Please visit the webpage for more information or contact Ms. Cole at the South Overland Park studio (913) 851-2400 to schedule a complimentary intro lesson.
My name is Angela Holtgraves, I have been a special education teacher in public education for over a decade in the KC area. I grew up in KC and attended Saint Thomas Aquinas for high school, where I met my husband. I then went on to Xavier University in Cincinnati for my undergrad and came home to KC and received my master's degree in special education from UMKC. I have always believed my students can do anything, I just have to find the way they learn best. I am certified in adaptive special education K-12th grade and low-incidence special education K-12th grade. I also have a passion for helping to collect toys and gifts for low-income families and children battling pediatric cancer so they may have a Christmas.
Above all else, I am a mother to two amazing kids, RJ and Zoey Ann. I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Rob, for 10 years and we have been together for close to 20 years. I am very blessed that he encourages me to always follow my heart and understands my passion for special education. He and our children also supported me through my breast cancer battle at the age of 28. I am now a six-year survivor and look forward to many more years as a survivor. Out of my breast cancer battle came The Stocking Project for Children's Mercy Hospital. The Stocking Project is a yearly event. We work to collect toys and stocking stuffers for the children at CMH who are battling pediatric cancer. To date, we have filled close to 800 stockings and raised over $60,000 in collected items.
I believe a parent should be their child's best advocate in life. My parents taught me to never give up faith in myself and to push for what I believe in. It is my goal to help families best advocate for their children and to find all of the Kansas City Special Needs resources I can help them to find. We are lucky that KC offers so many disability resources, but it can be overwhelming on where to begin. So please, let MKCA help you!
Over my years in special education, I constantly had parents asking about resources or surprised there were programs available to their child. I created a resource booklet for my families, but over time more people asked for access to the information. Out of these requests came Making KC Accessible for All. I hope this site helps you and your loved ones to have access to our incredible city. You will find categories with resources for a variety of topics, every photo links directly to the companies site on that topic.
This site is in honor of every parent who trusted me to teach their child and for every one of the amazing students who have ever entered my classroom. You have made me a better person and I hope you learned even half as much as I have learned from all of you.
Love to all of you,
Mrs. H
"It's kinda fun to do the impossible" - Walt Disney
(Pictured: on a fun note, meet my buddy Graham, we bonded over everything Disney. Hi buddy!)
MKCA is run completely by donations. Please help me keep the site going and free for all families needing its resources.
