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Latest news and stories
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NEADS Needs Your Support to Train Service Dogs
By Sarah Best, Abilities Expo Ambassador Hi there! My name is Sarah and the 4-legged furry guy that you see? His name is Edison and he is my service dog. Together, he and I are on a mission. We are rolling 7 miles by the end of this week as part of the Falmouth Road…
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Go Outside and Play: Accessible Activities from a Social Distance
By Adrian Johansen Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, you’ve likely spent even more time than usual inside your residence. If you’re itching to get outdoors, these accessible activities are the perfect way to enjoy nature while still adhering to social distancing guidelines. Spending time outdoors offers myriad physical, mental and emotional benefits. But,…
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En Garde!: Tales of Triumph from a Wheelchair Fencer
By Jonathan Collins I am Jonathan Collins and this is my story of how the empowering sport of wheelchair fencing changed my life, my health and helped me lunge out of my comfort zone. I am 31 years old. I was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, I am wheelchair dependent and I have had…
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5 Steps to Write a Successful Disability Appeal Letter
By Daniela McVicker If your disability claims have been denied, you will usually still have the option to write an appeal letter to support your claims. After you have considered your options for the appeal and contacted your lawyer, it is crucial to understand how to put that letter together. The reality of the situation…
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Wheelchair Basketball and the First Push for Disability Rights
By David Davis, author of Wheels of Courage Thirty years ago, on July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) on the South Lawn of the White House. The landmark legislation prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability in every aspect of society: employment, housing, transportation, and telecommunications. “America welcomes…
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How to Shop your Closet during a Pandemic
By Molly Farrell You’ve watched all the shows on Netflix, you’ve baked all the loaves of banana bread you care to, you’ve even taken up a new hobby during quarantine. Now what?! Have you shopped your closet yet? Even as the quarantine hopefully comes to an end, shopping your closet is a great life skill.…
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Connecting Mental Health to Overall Health for Folks with Disabilities
By Tracy S. Williams The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 1 in 4 adults live with a physical disability. While living with a physical disability is not necessarily a depressing state of affairs, there are situations that could frustrate people to the point that it may cause mental health concerns. The CDC also…
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3 Great Companion Pets (Other than Dogs) for Kids with Disabilities
By Johnathan David Children with disabilities love pets as much as anyone else. Having an animal companion can help a child with an intellectual disability become more social, learn responsibility and empathy, and offer comfort and love. Dogs are fantastic companions and support animals, but if allergies, expenses or lifestyle limitations prevent you from owning…
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Tips to Make Your Garden Accessible
By Andrew Herbert Gardening is a great way to spend time with your family and create a beautiful outdoor space. But, for some people, it can actually be a challenge. Disability-related barriers can make gardening very difficult, especially for those who have limited mobility. If you’re thinking about getting into gardening but aren’t sure how…
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Love Without End, Amen: The Story of Amy and her Dog, Neo
By Janis D. Gioia, MAEd When George Strait recorded the song Love Without End, Amen, he wasn’t singing about the bond between a rescued service dog and his handler, or how that love would change both of their lives forever. But if he knew Amy Fey (one of his biggest fans) and her service dog…
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A Message of Hope from Abilities Expo Ambassador Paul Lane
By Paul Amadeus Lane When we look at the tragic events that have rocked our nation, it shows that we cannot neglect members of our community that have been left behind due to race, disability, gender or sexual orientation. Discrimination has no place in our society Far too often we think that silence and ignoring…
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Rest in Peace, Angela Madsen
If you ever attended a California Abilities Expo, you probably had the pleasure of meeting Angela Madsen. The small army of rowing machines alongside RowOfLife, the boat that saw Angela through more than one ocean row, were tough to miss. She and her wife, Debra Bogan Madsen, were always warm and welcoming to the countless…