Search the Navigating Disability Road website:
  Navigating Disability Road
  • Home
  • About the Author
  • Adjusting
  • Caregivers
  • Contact Me
  • Defining Disability
  • Discussion Blog
  • Guest Author
    • In Awe Of My Home and my Community
    • Educate Others About Your Disability
    • Vicki's Holiday
    • Where My Love
    • You Have No Idea
    • Blurred Lines
    • Now I Understand
    • What Is The Meaning Of Being Disabled?
  • Featured Article
  • Financial
  • Links
  • Recreation
  • Spiritual

Don't Expect Everyone Understands Accessibility

2/17/2017

0 Comments

 
Navigating Disability RoadYes sir, the toilet does have grab bars.....
Experience truly is a good teacher. One of those experiences has been that not everyone understands what accessibility really is. We have traveled out of town on a number of occasions, expecting to be comfortable in our accessible hotel room and being met with disappointment.
Calling ahead and requesting an accessible room is not enough. Experience has taught me that you must discuss your expectations and needs with a representative at the facility [not the world wide toll free number] and go through your list. For me, besides being able to get in the door, I need to know if they have an ADA or 'comfort height' toilet, grab bars around toilet and in shower, and a roll in shower. If that person doesn't know, find someone who does. Don't make your reservation until you are sure.
I have been researching accessible rooms in a resort town. I'm not sure if these folks know what the ADA is. My ADA has nothing to do with my teeth. Understand your needs and don't take for granted that anyone else does.

0 Comments

New 'Handicapped' Symbol

7/29/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
 An effort to adopt a more in-motion symbol for accessibility is gaining traction with New York requiring all new signage in the state to utilize the “Accessible Icon.” (Accessible Icon Project)

A revamped version of the blue and white icon that’s long symbolized accessibility everywhere from parking lots to restrooms will soon be commonplace in more communities.

Under a bill signed late last week, New York will be come the first state to require all new and replacement signage used to signify accessibility for people with disabilities to include a more active, in-motion image of a person using a wheelchair.

The state will also change the terminology on such signs, employing the word “accessible” instead of “handicapped.”

The shift is about more than aesthetics, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in signing the legislation.

“This bill is an important step toward correcting society’s understanding of accessibility and eliminating a stigma,” Cuomo said.

New York City and a smattering of other localities, businesses and schools have already agreed to adopt the revamped symbol, known as the “Accessible Icon,” which first gained momentum through a grassroots effort in Boston.

What’s more, the icon is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City as part of an exhibit of culturally-relevant designs developed in recent decades.

From DisabilityScoop.com



0 Comments

Freedom to Choose

11/13/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
        You may have heard or read about the gentleman who fell out of a tree and crushed the vertebrae in his neck at the C3, C4 and C5 levels. He and his family had "the talk" previous to the accident [what to do in case of a severe accident / illness]. The doctors discussed the diagnosis and prognosis with he and his family. He, Tim Bowers, chose to cease all extraordinary measures [a ventilator] that were keeping him alive. Five hours later, he died. Too many people are making such a big deal about his decision. God gave us the ability to make choices. Tim Bowers made his choice. He had the freedom to choose. Read more here...

1 Comment

Disability Dilemma

9/14/2013

2 Comments

 
Dilemna
        I was just reading an article that posed a real disability dilemma for a school district in Ohio. A first grader was going to begin her first grade in a typical school. Her disability required that she use a service dog. The first grade teacher has a disability. She has severe allergies to animals. 
        The school district is making arrangements for the student to attend first grade in another school farther from home. Was this accommodation a reasonable one?

2 Comments

Accessibility Again

9/9/2013

0 Comments

 
        As I continue to research, I come across the occasional item that hits home. Here is another awareness raising video...
0 Comments

Attitudinal Barriers Toward People With Disabilities

9/5/2013

3 Comments

 
Picture
People with disabilities face barriers daily. Often, according to research the most difficult barrier to overcome is dealing with the attitudes of other people regarding people with disabilities. Whether born from ignorance, fear, misunderstanding or hate, these attitudes and perceptions can become barriers to achievement for people with disabilities. The most pervasive negative attitude is focusing on a person's disability rather than on the person's talent.
 
Some attitudinal barriers encountered by people with disabilities include the following: 
 
Inferiority 
Because a person may be impaired in one of life's major functions, some people believe that individual is a "second-class citizen." However, people with disabilities may have skills
that compensate for and/or take priority over the impairment.
  
Pity 
People feel sorry for the person with a disability, which tends to lead to patronizing attitudes.
People with disabilities generally do not want pity and charity, just equal opportunity to earn their own way and live independently.
 
Hero worship
People consider someone with a disability who lives independently or pursues a profession to be brave or "special" for overcoming a disability. But most people with disabilities do not
want accolades for performing day-to-day tasks. The disability is there; the individual has simply learned to adapt by using his or her skills and knowledge.


Read More
3 Comments

Advocacy

7/11/2013

2 Comments

 
        So much of my focus [due to personal experience] on this website is geared toward physical disabilities. It is true that many of the problem solving approaches are universal; whether you have a physical, emotional or cognitive 'condition'. Regretfully, I have not posted any details regarding issues for people with developmental disabilities. It was made abundantly clear when I was researching self advocacy.
        "Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays." (from the CDC website)

Specific conditions listed as Developmental Disabilities are:
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
    Disorder
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Hearing Loss
    Intellectual Disability 
  • Kernicterus
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Vision Impairment 
Each condition in the above lists are links for specific details of each.
        The self-advocacy movement seeks to reduce the isolation of people with disabilities [especially developmental disabilities; also grouped as 'intellectual disabilities'] and give them the tools and experience to take greater control over their own lives. People with these challenges have historically been the folks that were placed in group homes and / or institutions. They have traditionally not been included in making decisions affecting there own lives.
        We all have basic civil / human rights. I am embarrassed to admit that I have neglected this group in my writing to date. However, I will continue to advocate for the rights of ALL people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not; regardless of the kind of disability they may have.
2 Comments
    Engage Brain for Discussion Blog...

    Blog Maintenance:

    See About the Author

    Archives

    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All
    Accessibility
    Adjusting
    Advocacy
    Attitude
    Caregivers
    Chronic Pain
    Civil Rights
    Defining
    Developmental Disability
    Empathy
    Financial
    Medical
    Positive Thinking
    Recreation
    Spiritual

    RSS Feed

Picture
Home
Adjusting
About Me
Caregivers
Contact Me
Guest Author
Defining
Discussion Blog
Featured Article

Financial
Links
Recreation 
Spirituality
E-Mail Steven
Copyright © 2012 Navigating Disability Road