tagged w/ Disability Issues
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The same technology that lets cars drive themselves allows the blind to drive, too.
Virginia Tech undergrads packed an all-terrain buggy with technology lifted from the university’s DARPA Urban Challenge entry to create a car the blind can drive. The semi-autonomous vehicle uses a laser range finder, voice software and other sensory technology, and it worked flawlessly when blind drivers took the wheel on a closed course. Advocates for the blind joined the lead researcher in calling the vehicle a breakthrough in independent living for the visually impaired.
“We are not only excited about the vehicle itself, but also the potential spinoff technologies from this project that could end up helping the blind,” Dennis Hong, the director of the university’s Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory, told Wired.com.
The car was born of a challenge the National Federation of the Blind’s Jernigan Institute issued in 2004 when it called on universities to develop a vehicle for the blind. Virginia Tech accepted the challenge in 2006 — the only university to do so — and received a $3,000 grant to begin the project.
The Blind Driver Challenge team at Virginia Tech’s Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory built the buggy. The steering wheel is hooked up to a distance monitor that gathers information from laser range finders, and it uses voice software to tells the driver how far to turn the wheel. For example, the monitor will tell the driver “turn left three clicks.” As the driver does that, the monitor makes three clicking noises.
A vibrating vest provides cues to follow when accelerating and decelerating. The vest vibrates in different places — the back, the belly and the shoulders — to convey different commands. When the entire vest vibrates, it means, “Slam on the brakes!”
“Originally we had a vibrating chair, but the vehicle was also vibrating on account of the motor, so drivers had some difficulty differentiating between the two,” Hong said. “The 2009-2010 team will be applying this technology to an electric vehicle to eliminate the vibration caused by the motor altogether.”
Hong wants to continue working on a tactile map interface. The system, called Airpix, shoots compressed air through tiny holes on a screen in real time, to provide a layout of the area surrounding the vehicle. Drivers can “read” the map with a hand, much like Braille. Hong said he needs more feedback from the blind and visually impaired to refine the system.
All this technology is clearly in its earliest stage,s and we’re a long way from the day when the blind join us in slogging through the morning commute. But the Federation for the Blind hailed the vehicle and the promise it offers.
“It’s a great first step,” Wes Majerus, an access-technology expert for the federation, said in a press release. “As far as the differences between human instructions and those given by the voice in the Blind Driver Challenge car, the car’s instructions are very precise. You use the technology to act on the environment — the driving course — in a very orderly manner.”
Majerus drove the car and said, “It was great.” Mark Riccobono, executive director of the Jernigan Institute, called his test drive historic. “This is sort of our going-to-the-moon project,” he said.
Although the technology is progressing, laws prohibiting the blind from driving — not to mention public perception about that possibility — must be changed, Hong said. That is why the Blind Driver’s Challenge team will be promoting the vehicle’s technology at a National Federation for the Blind–sponsored parade in Washington, D.C.
“People always say, ‘What’s the point of this project?’” Hong said. “But blind people who drive the vehicle always have a big smile on their face afterwards. It’s therapeutic and gives them hope of being entirely independent.”The same technology that lets cars drive themselves allows the blind to drive, too.... more
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The Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp is always such fun. Campers, and their siblings, come to ASCCA to have fun and learn how to deal with diabetes.
For the diabetes campers, it is all about learning to deal with their diets, meds, pumps and so many other issues. Their brothers and sisters also learn about it so they can encourage their siblings to stay on track.
But, there is also recreational fun. We met Makenzie at Splash Pad. She came to ASCCA with her family. Both her brother and sister are diabetic.
Part of the reason for these camps is to have fun and realize that all kids can, with the right environment, take part in all sorts of camping and recreation opportunities. Makenzie and her siblings took it all in with glee.
Here she is ... meet Makenzie!
Visit us at Camp ASCCA's blog - www.campascca.org/journal - or our ASCCA Friends networkat www.asccafriends.orgThe Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp is always such fun. Campers, and their... more
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Disabled World has added a new section that permits members of the public and disability organizations to list coming events related to health and disabilities. Calendar listings include upcoming conferences, disability sports meetings, concerts, and many other topics.Disabled World has added a new section that permits members of the public and... more
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We're very happy that this slideshow represents crossing the 1.1 million photo views from our Flickr photo collection. The Diabetes Junior Camp from the Southeastern Diabetes Education Services and Camp ASCCA earns the honor of crossing this milestone.
The Junior Camp is the final in our three week run of diabetes camps from Seale Harris, Southeastern Diabetes Education Services. It is one more example of Camp ASCCA's therapeutic recreation in a disability camp for special needs populations.
These tweens and early teens are two days into a week of therapeutic recreation and education sessions. From the high adventure ropes course to our splash pad and other aquatics activities, the
This series of camps and our longtime relationship with Seale Harris is a perfect example of the "umbrella organization" philosophy of Easter Seals.
Camp ASCCA cooperates with local, regional and national organizations to create residential camping sessions for all disabilities. From our adventure recreation weekends for Iraq and Afghanistan returning disabled soldiers with the Lakeshore and Shepherd centers to week long camps with local high school special education classes and various disability advocacy groups, Camp ASCCA works with all groups.We're very happy that this slideshow represents crossing the 1.1 million photo views... more
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The new international job listing section at the Disabled World Disability Community makes it very easy for anyone currently seeking employment in any field to find local job vacancies in their area, or within a given radius of where they live.The new international job listing section at the Disabled World Disability Community... more
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A summer work experience at Camp ASCCA is a life changer.
For those seeking work with people with disabilities, there is no better experiential learning opportunity than one that lets you live with the people you will be serving. It is one thing to get to know them in the classroom or clinical environment, but to learn how they live with their disabilities ... that is a true education.
Each summer, students from around the United States make the trek to Camp ASCCA to gain that extra special therapeutic recreation experience.
Meet Amanda and Lucy. As Camp ASCCA kicks off Summer 2009, we get to meet our new staff members. This week, many of the ASCCA program staff came to camp for the first time.
Amanda comes to us from Raliegh, NC and Lucy is from Iowa City, IA.
Amanda will be handling fishing for the summer. She’s got that patient personality that will help make fishing a fun place to be. Lucy is handling horseback this summer. She’ll keep safety first and also take good care of our horses.
We will follow these ladies and the other counselors and program staff throughout the summer.A summer work experience at Camp ASCCA is a life changer.
For those seeking work... more
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Jessica Cox is recognized around the world as an inspirational keynote speaker. Born without arms, Jessica flies planes, drives cars, and otherwise lives a normal life using her feet as others use their hands.Jessica Cox is recognized around the world as an inspirational keynote speaker. Born... more
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Shepherd’s Spring Adventure Skills Workshop featured a wide variety of activities. The sit ski program was very popular.
This therapeutic recreation weekend saw campers visiting Camp ASCCA from around the United States.
Clyde Adams returned to take advantage of the opportunity a second time this year. Clyde notes that he did ski prior to his injury, but has only been able to take part during these weekends.
See more at CampASCCA.org/journalShepherd’s Spring Adventure Skills Workshop featured a wide variety of activities.... more
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Margaret Ann Medley, Dothan, started coming to Seale Harrs diabetes camps 15 years ago. To say the camp experience has been a remarkable part of her life is an understatement.
I don’t think anyone is surprised that Margaret Ann has flourished in college. A 2008 inductee into the Brevard College Institute for Women in Leadership, she has turned into quite the campus leader. Margaret Ann has also been active with the Brevard College Department of Theatre Studies and a participant in Brevard’s Voices of the River (VOR) program.
Read more at campascca.org/journal and asccafriends.orgMargaret Ann Medley, Dothan, started coming to Seale Harrs diabetes camps 15 years... more
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Camp ASCCA has many week long camps during the spring, too. There, we often see student teachers exploring therapeutic recreation with the student campers. These student teachers are always fun to welcome to Camp ASCCA. Their energy and new experiences are fun to watch.
The students they bring always seem to take to them well, too. Liz Freeman is a perfect example of this.
She's a students at Columbus State University and joined our returning Hardaway group this Spring. Hardaway, by the way, has been coming to ASCCA for ... well, we think about two decades.
I met up with them at the Zipline high adventure tower. Liz, after all the students had taken their turn, showed that she was up to the challenges the students had conquered, too.
Enjoy the video.Camp ASCCA has many week long camps during the spring, too. There, we often see... more
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Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
Please welcome my special guest - Motorized Millie.
Full marks to the hotel.
Mad person.
She jumped forward.
Play Talk closed.
No sore throat.
She's dressed up.
Plan ahead.
Tattoo.
A couple of gifts.
The London Eye.
Disappear in the background.
Injections.
E.L.O.
Do what the doctor says.
An inspiration.
Travelling with a disability.
TEXT the show : UK - 07815 907 896
Int - +44 7815 907 896
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UKThursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT... more
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Riam Dean, 22, was prevented from working on the shop floor at Abercrombie & Fitch in London because her prosthetic arm didn't match the store's 'look policy'. Now an employment tribunal has awarded Riam £9000.
Riam was sent to work in the stockroom at the store after a manager objected to her wearing a cardigan to hide her disability.
A panel at Central London Employment Tribunal found Riam was “unlawfully harassed for a reason that related to her disability” under the Disability Discrimination Act. The tribunal also found that the firm “failed to comply with its duty to make reasonable adjustments” for her disability.
She was awarded £7,800 for injury to her feelings, £1,077.37 for loss of earnings and £137.75 for wrongful dismissal.Riam Dean, 22, was prevented from working on the shop floor at Abercrombie & Fitch in... more
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f you know your history, President Franklin Roosevelt (the first and only U. S. president to use a wheelchair) was a strong advocate of recreation as therapy. The Post-Polio group also serves as a reminder of the long history of therapeutic recreation that eventually gave birth to Camp ASCCA in 1976.
They refer to themselves as survivors. A strong, tight-knit group of friends and supporters, the group meets throughout the year in the Mobile-Pensacola area.
Read more at www.campascca.org/journalf you know your history, President Franklin Roosevelt (the first and only U. S.... more
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We love it when we discover family histories of involvement with therapeutic recreation and Camp ASCCA. The Medley's have a long history with diabetes and how a residential camp experience provides children with education and fun recreation. Read more at campascca.org/journalWe love it when we discover family histories of involvement with therapeutic... more
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We always say that it is the counselors and program staff that are the backbone and foundation of Camp ASCCA. They make the world go 'round, they make fun happen. Lauren Newton is here for her first summer, although she’s been here before. Lauren's sister has been a counselor at Camp ASCCA before, too. Erin has spent three summers coming to ASCCA. She is also a happy presence during our weekend camps throughout the year.
Read more at campascca.org/journal ... Alabama's Special Camp for Children and Adults.We always say that it is the counselors and program staff that are the backbone and... more
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In last Sunday's Pittsburgh Triathlon, there were a lot of individual competitors and teams with competitors for each event.
One team, however, stood out.
That team contained three friends: Jim on the Bike, Ned doing the running, and Craig Dietz doing the swimming.
However, Dietz was born with no arms or legs.
"It felt great when I first decided to do it," said Dietz. "I was a little unsure and even leading up to it I was a little unsure. You can swim 100 miles in the pool and it's not going to prepare you for swimming in that river."
This is hardly his first athletic endeavor, Dietz enjoys bowling and has played volleyball too.
He skis in the winter and, with the help of an inventive father, he's been fishing and hunting since he was a kid.
"Anytime I wanted to do anything, he figured out a way for me to do it," said Dietz.
Dietz loves athletics and to him not even the Allegheny River is intimidating.
"All of my weight is centered, I am extremely buoyant. I can't dive. I wish that I could. I'd like to dive under the water," said Dietz.
In the end, he finished 275th out of 308 participants. In last Sunday's Pittsburgh Triathlon, there were a lot of individual competitors and... more
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Teachers working with children with autism attended our Autism Family Weekend a week ago.
Nancy Barnes is an Autism Specialist with Huntsville City Schools and she's been to Camp ASCCA before. Nancy even recruited other teachers and parents to attend with their children. One of Nancy's recruits is Niki Bowling, a teacher at Huntsville's Challenger Elementary School autism unit. Read more at CampASCCA.org/journalTeachers working with children with autism attended our Autism Family Weekend a week... more
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A few months ago, I received the email about Michelle Obama's allegedly "militant" university thesis which is debunked in the link above. Actually, it arrived in my fiancee's inbox, as do most of our personal emails.
One of the striking things about our acquaintance, whom I'll call "Sukie," forwarding that particular email to us (it's the only election-related "important story not in the news!!" type email we got this year, thankfully) is that my fiancee is African-American.
Sukie is hardly the stereotypical or even typical McCain-Palin supporter. She said yesterday that she was still undecided, in reassuring us that she did plan to vote -- though neither my fiancee nor I are registered as Democrats, we do both support Obama, and as we do every year, we've been reminding everyone we know to vote, regardless of which candidates they support. Still, taking her at her word that she remains undecided, and adding up: her considering the baseless, racist Michelle Obama smear worth forwarding; her periodic statements about immigrants and Hispanic Americans needing to speak English in public, which I always gently correct; and her claim to still be undecided at this late date; she seems more likely to vote for McCain or a third-party candidate than for Obama.
Like my fiancee and myself, Sukie is bisexual, and currently in a lesbian relationship. She was previously married and has adult children. She's lived in the West and the Midwest, and in Alaska. She currently lives in subsidized housing in a seaside New England town, after spending much of 2008 homeless after her multiple disabilities and low employability led to an eviction. She is a military veteran. Her girlfriend was recently diagnosed with cancer. She and her partner have been involved with feminist causes, including regular breast cancer fundraising events. She and her partner are both white.
(As mentioned above, my fiancee is African-American. She also has Native American, Chinese and European ancestry, all from several generations back. I'm of mixed European and Native Canadian descent; being 1/4 Sicilian, I may have had some African ancestors 1000 years ago.)
From my perspective, Barack Obama is the obvious choice for someone in Sukie's position, and McCain an untenable one. Both campaigns have said they prefer civil unions or domestic partnership to allowing same-sex marriage, though all four candidates have stated or acted on somewhat different positions at different times; I don't know whether Sukie and her partner of ten years "Betty" want to get married, but that doesn't mean the issue doesn't affect them. Veterans' benefits have long suffered from underfunding and poor quality of care, and this situation has only worsened over the last eight years; Senator McCain's record on supporting veterans' benefits has been abyssmal despite his own military service, while Senator Obama has voted to maintain or increase funding for VA programs time after time.
Perhaps the issue of most immediate importance to Sukie, though, is health care. Betty is an hourly worker, and while her direct supervisors at the chain store where she works have been supportive so far, they could be overruled at any time, especially as she needs to take increasing amounts of time off for surgery and chemotherapy. Should she lose her current coverage, she will have virtually no options for replacing it if insurers continue to be allowed to deny coverage for "pre-existing conditions" -- potentially putting her in much the same situation Barack Obama's mother faced during her battle with cancer. Betty would probably be eligible for Medicaid coverage, but Medicaid payouts across the country were already so low most doctors won't accept Medicaid even before the economic crisis led states to cut their budgets. And while Betty might be eligible for Social Security disability if she becomes unable to work, by the time she could get Medicare she'll likely have either beaten the cancer or died.
[cont'd]A few months ago, I received the email about Michelle Obama's allegedly "militant"... more
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APAC stands for Alabama Post Adoption Connections. This annual event (the sixth at ASCCA) seeks to bring together children of all ages going through the adoption process.
Jamie shares what the camps mean to not only the kids, but aslo to the staff that interacts with them throughout the year.APAC stands for Alabama Post Adoption Connections. This annual event (the sixth at... more
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A young law student is suing Abercrombie & Fitch claiming that the US retailer "questioned her worth as a human being" as they allegedly forced her to work in the stock room of London's Saville Row branch.
22-year-old Riam Dean was born with her left forearm missing and has a prosthetic arm. She was initially given permission to wear a cardigan at the store but, later, was told it was against A&F's strict dress code.
Miss Dean said, "If I did go outside the family home. I felt so self-conscious, I would cover up and wear long cardigans despite it being summer. I knew I would need another job, but I couldn't face rejection all over again. I began to assume that my arm would always cause me such trouble. I was always prepared for children to be curious about my disability, but to be faced with adult bullying, no-one could have prepared me for such debasement."
Abercrombie & Fitch has yet to respond to the allegations.A young law student is suing Abercrombie & Fitch claiming that the US retailer... more
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