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Unique Website Connects People with Disabilities with Outdoor Adventures
Finding ways for people with disabilities to enjoy the great outdoors in Northern California just got a whole lot easier with the launch of the new Bay Area Outreach and Recreational Program’s (BORP) website, Access Northern California. This web-based guide provides detailed accessibility information on more than 100 entries under the headings, “Explore,” “Play” and “Sleep” and includes…
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Pack Your Bags! Next Stop: Accessible Spring Break
By Lisa Wells, Cure Medical Looking for an accessible getaway this Spring? Look no further. We’ve got a handy idea starter right here that you’ll love! For families with disabilities, one of the biggest concerns with travel is ensuring that your destination is wheelchair-friendly or accessible in other ways to accommodate your family’s needs. We’ve tried…
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Which Countries Offer an Accessible Experience for Your Study Abroad?
By Lucy Miranda Education is important to everyone and so is study-abroad experience. But not all countries are wheelchair-friendly. Online student advisor Vishnu Kumar has helped hundreds of students choose their study abroad destinations. He says, “Some countries are more accessible for disabled students. I counsel them about the best countries, cities and campuses that…
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Rollin’ Down Under: Sydney’s Top 5 Wheelchair Friendly Attractions
By Cory Lee, CurbFreeWithCoryLee.com Australia is one of the world’s most sought after travel and vacation destinations. Oftentimes that is great for ambulatory people, but wheelchair users might be hesitant to visit if tourist spots are not easily accessible with a wheelchair. Fortunately, Australia is also one of the most wheelchair friendly places in the world.…
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Transportation Initiatives That Improve Accessibility
By Adrian Johansen All people deserve the right to travel. But a disability can make it difficult to drive, fly or use public transportation. Fortunately, various transportation initiatives to improve accessibility for people with disabilities are underway. And these initiatives are making it easier than ever before for those with disabilities to get where they…
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Hot Tips for Cool Accessible Vacation Rentals
By Barbara & Jim Twardowski When our son, who lives across the country, agreed to spend part of his vacation time with us, we began looking for wheelchair accessible accommodations at the beach. Finding a hotel room with a roll-in shower and two beds can be difficult. Sharing a cramped hotel room with your adult…
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Seva Accupressure for Caregiver Stress Release
By Regina Rosenthal, PT, MA As a physical therapist, health coach and author I strongly relate to Abilities Expo’s mission, “to connect the disability community to live and online resources that promote greater independence.” Personal and professional experience showed me the importance of self-awareness and education about simple, cost-effective self-care practices for caregivers and individuals…
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I (Don’t) Care
By Kathryn Carroll I didn’t care about the ADA when my large-print textbooks arrived in elementary school.My friends and I giggled about the fact that just one took up an entire desk. I didn’t care about the ADA while I listened to my mom argue on the phone with the bus company, explaining that I did not…
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Celebrating Our Unique Abilities
By Adam Farris, Younique Abilities Hello, my name is Adam. I was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in 1994 at the age of six. Later, in July of 2012, I was diagnosed with a form of autism called pervasive developmental disorder. As a child, I didn’t understand Tourette’s syndrome and would ask myself, “What it that?” My…
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Study Poised to Help People who Use AAC
By David J. Hajjar, M.S., CCC-SLP, Ohio University Individuals with acquired neurogenic disabilities and have complex communication needs can experience many challenges with community reengagement. After experiencing inpatient services focusing on restoration and improvement, transitioning to community-based services may seem inadequate. Some therapy services may drop off and individuals may become isolated due to diminished…
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Design Matters: Fall/Holiday 2014
By Stephanie Alves, Founder/Designer ABL Denim Welcome to our Abilities community fashion blog from one of your own. Do you like the title? I love double entendres. But it’s true—design does matter. It affects us in measurable and immeasurable ways. Our environments are so important. And so are our clothes. Because society is concerned with…
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The Joy of Cruising
By Debra Kerper, Easy Access Travel It is often said that taking a child to Disneyland for the first time and experiencing the Magic Kingdom through their eyes is the best way to see it. After sailing more than 80 cruises, I am convinced that taking over 100 people on their first cruise is also…