The Disability Pride Parade will take place in 2010 on July 24th.
Not only will there be the parade but there will also be exhibits in Daley Center of organizations which serve individuals with disabilities.

The overall mission of the Disability Pride Parade is:

To change the way people think about and define “disability”;
To break down and end the internalized shame among people with Disabilities; and
To promote the belief in society that Disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with Disabilities can take pride.

The specific objectives for the parade are:

To organize a fully inclusive, annual event that will celebrate and strengthen the pride, power, and unity of people with disabilities, our families, and allies;
To generate national visibility of the Disability community

At the request of Sage Publications, Sarah Triano wrote the following definition of “Disability Pride” for the Encyclopedia of Disability:

” ‘Disability Pride represents a rejection of the notion that our physical, sensory, mental, and cognitive differences from the non-disabled standard are wrong or bad in any way, and is a statement of our self-acceptance, dignity and pride. It is a public expression of our belief that our disabilities are a natural part of human diversity, a celebration of our heritage and culture, and a validation of our experience. Disability Pride is an integral part of movement building, and a direct challenge to systemic ableism and stigmatizing definitions of disability. It is a militant act of self-definition, a purposive valuing of that which is socially devalued, and an attempt to untangle ourselves from the complex matrix of negative beliefs, attitudes, and feelings that grow from the dominant group’s assumption that there is something inherently wrong with our disabilities and identity.’

From Abilities Buzz:
Product Spotlight: The Beamz Interactive Music System
Beamz by Beamz Interactive, Inc. will be featured in The Siegal Group booth at the New York Metro Abilities Expo on May 21-23, 2010.

Plato said that music “gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imaginations, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”

Now, though the magic of The Beamz Interactive Music System, the power to create beautiful music is in the hands of people with varying levels of ability, from kids to grandparents and everyone in between.

This instrument is shaped like a “W” with 3 horizontal beams of light on each side. Each beam controls a different instrument, rhythm or sound effect. By breaking the path of the beam, you trigger streams of musical notes and unleash the musician within. The beauty is that it always sounds great—the output is always harmonious no matter how you choose to play the Beamz.

The therapeutic value of the Beamz for people with disabilities is priceless. With no learning curve and no way to fail, it is instantly recreational and gratifying. In addition, the Beamz provides a variety of movement activity, including musical-result incentives that inspire reaching and grasping for those with limited-motion challenges.

“I was never able to play musical instruments due to being born without upper and lower extremities,” said Abilities Expo attendee Julie Broadwell, a woman whose only arm extended to her elbow. “I really like the idea that I can play music, get exercise and get my heart rate going all at the same time.”

The Beamz is also ideal for medically fragile persons in facilities, individuals rehabilitating at home and people in wheelchairs, using standers, walkers or crutches. Likewise, it is a great tool in a variety of special needs and rehabilitation applications including physical and recreational therapy with children and senior citizens, building inspiration without discouragement. Click below to see the profound impact this instrument has on the children at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

“Successful occupational therapy is ‘outcome-oriented,’ and from what we’ve seen with the Beamz, the outcome is instant, as well as valuable in the longer term,” noted Noelani Hong, occupational therapist. “Compared to other innovations in this field, the Beamz outraces less productive therapies.”

The Beamz is powered by a host computer and includes an entire digital music system that plays 100+ instruments and sound variations that span more than 20 musical genres. Its appeal transcends age, disabilities, skill level and is just plain fun.

As word of this innovative musical tool spreads, Jerry Riopelle, musician and inventor of the Beamz, is well on his way to achieving his goal: “The more people in the world playing music, the better world it will be.”

For more information about The Beamz, contact Dr. Mark Siegal at (310) 926-7949 or teamsiegal@earthlink.net.

There I was unconscious and on the sidewalk. The Paramedics came, I could not answer questions but they were able to find out who I am , my diseases, my medications all with one phone call.

How? you may ask, all because I had joined MedicAlert and my information was on file as were my doctors names and phone numbers.

Do you have a medical condition? Do you have a family member who has a medical condition? Do you have a family member who might need help at an emergency room? These are all reasons to join or have them join MedicAlert.

For more information go to www.medicalert.com   

WSANA ATTENDS INPUT MEETING

On February 18, 2010 WSANA attended a meeting given by the Statewide Independent Living Council in conjunction with Access Living, the Center for Independent Living for the city of Chicago.

At the meeting it was mentioned that in a survey which was done in 2008, individuals with disabilities who were intervewed said the following were of importance to them:

  1. Accessibility.
  2. Adovacy/Self advocacy
  3. Assistance legal services (ADA, IDEA, etc)
 4. Blind Services
 5. Community reintergration
6.  Counseling
7.  Deaf Services
      A. Amplified Phone Distribution
     B. Interpreter and reader services
     C. Sign language services
     D. TTY distribution
    E. Video Relay Services
    F. Equipment demonstration
8.Discrimination
9.Education assistance
    Classes, workshops
10.Employment
11 Equipment and assistance devices
12. Financial benefits information and services
13.Health Care
14. Housing assistance
15.Independent living skills
16.Information and referral
17.Mental Health
18.Mobility Training
19.Parking
20.Peer counseling
21.Personal assistance services
22.Raise Awareness
23.Resume building
24.Services for children
25. Social/recreation activities
26. Support groups
27. Transportation
28. Vocational skills training

This meeting was held to get input on the 2008 Needs Assessment and solicit input on future needs.

Meetings to solicit feedback on the draft 2011-13 State Plan for Independent Living.
In Springfield, IL. on April 21,2010 at 2:00 PM at:
 Lincoln Public Library
326 S. 7th Street

And in Chicago on April 28th at 1:00 PM at:
Institute on Disability & Human Development
University of Illinois at Chicago
1640 W. Roosevelt Road
1st Floor Auditorium

For additional information call 312-413-8833

this is not completed yet.

The costs associated with modifying or purchasing an accessible vehicle vary greatly. Therefore, whether you are modifying a vehicle you own or purchasing a new vehicle with adaptive equipment, it pays to investigate public and private opportunities for financial assistance. The following resources may help those searching for funding assistance:

• Centers for Assistive Technology often can offer information and referral activities to respond to requests regarding consumer choices in the selection of assistive technology, specific devices and where to obtain them, and information about assistive technology service providers.   Go to http://www.abledata.com/Site_2/state_technology
  _assistance_proj.htm or call 1-800-227-0216 to begin a search for a center in your state.
• Are you eligible for funding sources through the Veteran’s Administration, your state’s division of vocational rehabilitation, development disabilities services, worker’s compensation or health insurance?  Contact your local Independent Living Center (see www.ncil.org or call 703-525-3406 for a list of CILs across the country) for assistance in understanding these benefits.
• Many car manufacturers offer rebate programs to help pay for vehicle modification.  For example, Ford has a program called “Mobility Motoring” that will allow you up to $1,000 reimbursement for the cost of adding adaptive equipment to your new vehicle. Call 1-800-952-2248 for more information on this program. Saturn, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors all have reimbursement programs for vehicle modification costs.  Go to  http://www.infinitec.org/live/driving/dealers.htm for information on how to get up to a $1000 reimbursement when you purchase and modify a vehicle manufactured by one of these companies.
• There may be local service organizations (such as the Lions, Elks, Kiwanis or Rotary Club) in your area that would be willing to help fund a vehicle or vehicle modification for an individual.
• The “CarTalk” web site (http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Special-Needs/mobility-links.html#assistance) has a special section on funding for accessible vehicles, with suggestions of possible sources.
• Many private insurance companies cover driver rehabilitation programs; some driver’s insurance may cover vehicle modification.
• Have you checked with a qualified accountant to determine eligibility for tax credits for modifications?

Finally, you might want to try posting messages or looking for used-car postings on disability-related message boards such as the one at New Mobility (sign in for free at http://newmobility.com/messageboard.cfm), or at some of the message boards such as the ones listed at http://www.disabilityresources.org/CHAT.html

The following article is forwarded to you by the DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center (www.adagreatlakes.org) for your information:

Suit Seeks Captions On Ohio Stadium Scoreboard

By Denise Yost
Managing Editor, nbc4i.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio —A hearing-impaired football fan wants The Ohio State University to offer captioning on the scoreboard and television monitors at Ohio Stadium.

Thirty-two-year-old Vincent Sabino from the Columbus suburb of Hilliard says he can’t hear the announcers. A federal lawsuit was filed on his behalf in Columbus last month by the National Association of the Deaf, which charges that the university is violating the Americans With Disabilities Act by not providing captioning at all its venues.

Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch said the university is working with Sabino’s attorney and understands its legal obligations under the act.

The suit says captioning would help hearing-impaired fans by explaining such things as referees’ calls.

NBC 4‘s Tom Brockman was told that officials intend to comply with obligations.

“We have fairly frequent requests for interpreters at concerts held in the Schottenstein Value City Arena (and many other public lectures and events). We consistently provided interpreters when asked. We have not ever had any requests for captioning at sporting events,“ Lynch said. “Had this individual called us to request an accommodation for his disability, we would have taken steps to comply.“

Source:  http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/suit_seeks_osu_stadium_game_captions/19455/  (Long URL and may appear on more than one line in this message.   Copy and paste the entire URL into your browser)