Disappointed

I checked Facebook Sunday night just before going to bed and was surprised to see a status update for one of our local news stations. It said something to the effect of “join us tonight at 11pm to hear about what Virginia should do to the developmentally disabled in the state.”



Whoa!!! That got my attention, and I was determined to stay awake until 11pm to hear what was said. Unfortunately, tiredness took over and I didn’t make the broadcast.



So, when I got up very early Monday morning, I checked Facebook again, and sure enough there was another update from that news station that said “We ran a story tonight on what Virginia should do to the developmentally disabled. State officials are collecting public comments on this issue through August 15th. Comments can be submitted by e-mail to…”



The more I thought about how that was worded, and the more I worried about the content, the angrier I got. So the first thing I did after getting ready for work and getting the kids moving was to check the actual website for the news station to find out what Virginia was going to “do” to the developmentally disabled.



Apparently, other people had issues with the words and by the time I got to the station and back to Facebook, the wording had been changed. All reference to “do to the developmentally disabled’ had been changed to “care for the developmentally disabled.” The content of the story referenced a survey being conducted by one of the state agencies that support people with disabilities.



I’m really disappointed that the news station (WTVR) made such egregious statements even though they were corrected later. This is a station that advertises itself as the most honored station in Central Virginia. Perhaps they are, but these comments were dishonorable at best.

A World of Disability

"15% of the world's population is disabled."

"Some 785 million people have a significant physical or mental disability, including about 5 percent of children."

"Problems are worsened by poverty and dozens of other variables, including stigma, architectural barriers, lack of legal protection, the cost of devices and assistance, and the lack of knowledge by others (especially health professionals) about how to interact with disabled people."

Check out this June 9th article from the Washinton Post for more info....

A VOPA Victory

If you were the family of James Roots IV you would surely want to know why he was allowed to die in the institution that promised to help him. You would want to understand why he was held in restraints for over 30 hours, even after he complained of being unable to breathe.

If you were the family of a patient at a so-called training center (read institution), you would surely want to know why he was allowed to swallow two latex exam gloves and subsequently die.

If you were the family of another person at that same training center, you would surely want to know why your family member’s ear was chewed off and where the staff were that were supposed to ensure such incidents never happened.

But the families of these three people were not told anything. They wanted details and the details were withheld. Then, with the assistance of the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy, legal proceedings were initiated demanding that the records be shared. The state agency in charge refused, and the circuit court in Virginia stood with the state agency.

But the wonderful staff at VOPA refused to let that deny the family members their information. The case went to the Supreme Court of the US and yesterday, that court ruled in favor of VOPA. Read the story of this historic decision here.

VOPA has been a Godsend to my family, and especially to my Ashley. I’ve written about them many times over the years, but here is one such post.

I applaud these champions of Virginians with disabilities. You continue to make a positive difference, and I am so very proud to count myself as one of your ardent supporters.

Caught My Eye

Here are some news stories that caught my eye this week. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Miami Gallery Allows Hands On Art to the Blind

New Technology Allows Deaf and Blind to Experience Movie Theatre

Beeping Easter Egg Hunt

Disability Prepared Project from the University of Kansas

And finally, this video from the Academy of Country Music Awards which was held last weekend. Get out your tissues....

Caught My Eye

Here is a list of news stories that caught my eye this week. Hope you all have a great weekend!

This app for the IPad looks very promising. I’m going to ask Chip to buy it so we can test it. I’ll let you know how it goes.

iASl Translates English to American Sign Language

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The Department of Justice settled a lawsuit with yet another hospital that failed to provide adequate sign language support for patients. All hospitals should realize by now that they MUST provide this support unless they wish to fight the next lawsuit…

DOJ and Inova Settle ADA Lawsuit

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This University of Colorado student has his sights set on being the first Deaf NFL coach, and I think he will realize his dream!

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Colleges and universities should be the first to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, in my opinion. Unfortunately, they are often not even close to that goal…

Blind Students Oppose College's Use of GMail

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A simple yet very effective idea…

Safety Dots Help Blind Get Around

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And finally, a feel good story to start your weekend – Deaf sign-language choir, disabled youth feel the music in Venezuelan teaching program

Noticed!

I'm very excited! My other blog, www.ustooplease.com, has been noticed by one of my town's local TV news station, and I have been asked to be a regular contributor to their community news section!

Of course, there is no compensation involved other than seeing my name as a byline, but still it's very exciting.

Here's my first article (which was also posted on www.ustooplease.com):

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts - Accessibility Review

Good News Friday

Here are a few stories I found this week.

Although the robot in this story looks a little creepy to me, apparently making it look as human-like as possible has a real benefit for children who are autistic.

Finally, my conservative and not-very-disability-friendly state is doing something right. Due to the efforts of some students from Northern Virginia, sign language may now be offered as a foreign language credit in Virginia schools - assuming the Governor signs the bill. Come on, Bobby, do the right thing.

While being able to 'see' Facebook photos might not be my first choice for someone who is blind, the technology behind this effort holds great promise!

And one more bit of technology - We may not use cash as often as we once did, but there are still times when it comes in handy or is necessary, and that can pose some problems for the visually impaired. LookTel has released a Money Reader app for the IPhone that can recognize bills up to $100 demonination and then speak the amount to the person who is blind. How cool is that?!



Happy weekend, everyone!

Good News Friday

(picture by Matt Kohashi/Gallaudet University Athletics)

Once again, I am thrilled that it is Friday! AND....this is a long weekend because of President's Day on Monday. The weather is beautiful, we are all finally well, and I can't ask for much more than that!

First some personal good news - I have finally saved up enough money to order Ronnie a specialized basketball wheelchair! The order has been placed, and in about 5 weeks, I plan to surprise him at basketball practice! Don't anyone tell him and spoil the surprise!

Here are a couple of other good news story from the week. Enjoy and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Deaf Team's Standout Season Draws Cheers

Mental Health Awareness and Civility Promoted by a Very Unlikely Source

Lawsuits Abound

Denise Payne, a Florida resident who has cerebral palsy, and her business partner, Robert Forlano, formed a 5013C charitable organization called the National Alliance for Accessibility. As in Virginia, all charitable organizations are required to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Ms. Payne’s organization, however, is not registered as required by law.

Ms. Payne and her organization filed six lawsuits in the Roanoke, Virginia federal court alleging many area establishments are not accessible. Included in the list of establishments are several shopping malls, two hotels and Radford University. The six cases target Virginia, but Ms. Payne has recently filed over 200 similar cases, all alleging a lack of accessibility.

While I am in full support of pursuing issues through legal means IF ALL OTHER ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE ISSUES FAIL, I do not support this shotgun approach to demand change. I have to wonder what the real motivation is in all these cases.

As you know, I recently started a new website titled www.ustooplease.com. I purposely added the word ‘please’ to that web address. And as I mention on that website, I truly want to raise awareness about accessibility and inclusion. I share all my observations on that website with the businesses I review. I offer a list of resources to help those businesses become more accessible and inclusive.

I believe communities will begin to welcome everyone when everyone works together to realize true inclusion.

Like a dog that is beaten every time it urinates in its owner’s house, it will eventually become housebroken. But the dog will never truly be a part of that owner’s family – it will remain an animal that is continually beaten to achieve the owner’s goals.

I don’t want businesses to make changes for accessibility and inclusion because they are beaten into doing so. I want their decisions to be based on the realization that an inclusive community is a true community.

My website is www.ustooplease.com. Ms. Payne’s should be www.ustoooriwillsueyou.com.

(I searched and searched for Ms. Payne's and her organization's website but could find nothing. Nor could I find a telephone number after almost an hour of searching the web.)

Good News Friday

It's been a rough week at our house. Both my oldest son and I have pneumonia - Ashley is recovering from an ear infection - and there just hasn't seemed to be enough time to complete even our normal activities of life. But, Friday is here, along with some rest, some couch time, some fun outings, and time to recharge our batteries.

These good news stories below, shared by my dear brother and some special friends, will go a long way towards helping us recharge. Maybe they will help you also. Enjoy...

500 Posts and Counting

Teacher Born With Down Syndrome Breaks Sterotypes

Deaf Dog Trained in Sign Language Adopted by Deaf Children

Just Another Player

(photo by Danny Moloshok of the New York Times)

I admit that I worry about Ronnie being the only Deaf player on his wheelchair basketball team. From the first practice, I wondered how Ronnie would understand what the coach was saying and how the other teammates would communicate with him. When he plays in his first tournament at the end of January, how will he hear the referee's whistle and know that play is to be stopped?

But you know what? Somehow it all works out.

Ronnie does some lip reading. Chip and I do some interpreting. And the other players have learned to use gestures, taps on Ronnie's back, and other such signals to let him know what to do. Plus, Ronnie only needs a few moments to observe a play to understand it.

So, I've tried to back off the worrying. And today that got easier when I found the following two articles about Michael Lizarraga, a forward for the Cal State-Northridge men's basketball team. And, as the Times article points out, Lizarraga is not the only one to benefit from his being a part of the team!

Deaf Player at Cal State Northridge Has a Real Feel for the Game

Cal State-Northridge forward is the only deaf player in Division I

Is There a Right Answer?

I'm curious to know how others feel about this.

Abbie Dorn always wanted children, and in June 2006 she got her wish -- triplets. But during a difficult birth she suffered severe brain damage that took away her chance to raise them.

Now, her parents and former husband are locked in a legal battle over whether Dorn is capable of interacting with her children, and whether they should visit her.

The full text of the article can be found here.

Should Abbie be able to visit with her children? Would it be too traumatic for them? If not now, when should they be allowed to visit? Do you feel her husband is being cruel, or are her parents being unrealistic?

Whatever else you may feel, I think we can all agree that what happened to Abbie during her delivery is very sad...

Are We Satisfied?

Many, many parents of children with Autism believe that an additive in childhood immunizations caused or had a negative influence on the development of their children’s Autism. Over the last several years, there have been many heated debates on the subject. Doctors repeatedly tried to reassure parents that the immunizations did not cause Autism and that the children were at extreme risk by not getting the shots.

Parents had circumstantial evidence – their children were fine before the shots – afterwards they watched their children slowly regress and turn their focus inward. The circumstantial evidence has often been quite compelling.

But on Friday, March 13th, A special federal court ruled that the vaccine additive thimerosal does not cause autism. The ruling, which came in three separate cases, follows a parallel ruling in 2009 that autism is not caused by the combination of thimerosal with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The Wall Street Journal published an editorial that hailed the ruling that dismisses allegations of a link between the shots and the subsequent development of Autism. Here is a small section of that editorial:

The rulings follow the same court’s judgment last year against claims that measles-mumps-rubella shots in combination with other thimerosal-containing vaccines cause autism. And they reinforce many comprehensive scientific studies, including one from the Institute of Medicine, that have ruled out any causal link.

Autism is a frightening diagnosis that puts enormous burdens on families, but blaming vaccines without evidence only harms other families who might be frightened enough not to immunize their children. The fate of children with autism would be far better served if the activists who have devoted their resources to lawsuits would support research to discover its true causes, and to helping those children realize their full human potential.

I have to wonder if any of the folks on the editorial staff have children with Autism, and if not, I wonder if their opinions would be different if they did.

How do you feel? I do worry about parents not immunizing their children, but some of the circumstantial evidence I have seen and read about is compelling. Should there be more studies, or should we all put this immunization/Autism link to rest and concentrate on research as the WSJ editorial suggests?

Chief of What?

I’ve never been a Sarah Palin fan, but I’ve got to applaud her for calling out The Obama Administration’s Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel (pictured to the right), when he recently scolded participants in a strategy session, calling them, “F---ing retarded.”

Mrs. Palin wrote on her Facebook page, “Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the “N-word” or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities – and the people who love them – is unacceptable, and it’s heartbreaking.”

That one posting incited a firestorm in the press. Here are a few of the articles, and I hoping that again attention will be called to stopping the use of this hurtful and vile word.

Apology NOT Accepted

Emanual Deserves a Liberal Scolding

In the Offensive Spotlight

Emanuel Offensive Comment

Private Apology is Not Enough

Caught My Eye

Here are a few news stories that caught my eye this week - each for a different reason.

INSPIRING

As I have traveled the world of adoption over the years, I have learned of many children who suffer from Shaken Baby Syndrome. The outlook for most is not good. But this story highlights a young woman with drive and determination to rise above her past.

But even more inspiring than this young woman's story is a comment in the article from one of her 13 year old friends - "Don't judge her just because she is blind," Da'Jahnea said. "Don't underestimate people because they have disabilities."

Blind cheerleader teaches team invaluable lessons on perseverance

INVALUABLE

It seems that natural disasters are happening more and more often. This is a website created in Texas to alert people who are deaf, blind, and deafblind about emergency preparedness. It is an extraordinary example that other states and the Federal government should follow:

Accessible Emergency Information

NOT REALLY SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS

Stephyn Duck decided to experience life as both deaf and blind. Duck, 20, a junior psychology major at Wofford College, decided to deprive himself of two of his senses as part of an interim project. He's hoping to gather data on whether his other senses will improve while he's unable to see and hear, but he's most interested in how he's treated.

Setting aside the fact that being deaf, blind or deafblind from birth is completely different than being one of those things after gaining many years of visual and auditory experiences, did this experiment really serve a valuable purpose?

I wrote a post in 2008 about the use of simulations, and something still makes me quite uncomfortable. So for me, the jury is still out on whether or not this was a positive experiment.

For Wofford student, not seeing is believing

Justice For All?

This was really hard for me to believe - Washington, D.C. - you know, the seat of our American government - the place where the Americans With Disabilities Act was passed - has NO wheelchair accessible taxi cabs.

But it's true. From the Washington Post on November 10th:

"Two taxi companies -- Yellow Cab and Royal Cab -- will put their first wheelchair-accessible vehicles into service in December, and the firms should have a total of 20 cabs that can handle wheelchairs in service by January.

The federally funded project, which the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board initiated last year, also will receive matching funds from the D.C. Taxicab Commission. None of the District's current 6,500 taxis are equipped with a wheelchair ramp or lift. Most of the neighboring jurisdictions have accessible taxi service, including Arlington, Montgomery and Prince George's counties and Alexandria. "

Thanks for the heads up, Lucy!

Today I am thankful for the antivirus software on my computer which caught yet another nasty piece of malware today.

Working Miracles with Sight and Hearing

As the parent of a deafblind child, I guess I should be angry that Abigail Breslin has been cast to play the role of Helen Keller in the Broadway show The Miracle Worker. At least that is what the group, Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, is telling me. AIA wants a deafblind actress cast in the role, saying that a deaf or blind actress would be able to imbue the role of Helen with her experience.

But isn't that what actresses do? Ms. Breslin is an accomplished actress. I would expect that she would thoroughly research her role, and I believe would do a fine job of portraying Helen Keller. In fact, one of my favorite versions of The Miracle Worker has Hallie Kate Eisenberg as Helen. I liked that version even better than the one with Patty Duke, who as we know is not deaf or blind.

I'm amazed at how many news stories I have run across in the last week about the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts and their vehement objections. I'm all for diversity in every aspect of life but really, aren't there more important things going on in the world right now?

In The News

Have you ever stood on a street corner waiting to cross the street and watched one of the new hybrid cars go by? I say ‘watched’ because the hybrids are so quiet that you really can’t hear them as they pass. Now imagine that you are blind. How would you know when it is safe to cross the street? Safety experts and many of the major automakers are working to supply a digitally enhanced ‘vroom’ to hybrids!

If you are a fluent signer and have regular conversations with people who are deaf, you’ve probably noticed that often only a small portion of a sign is all that is needed for your word to be understood. Researchers at Delft University of Technology noticed that same thing and used that knowledge to create ELo – the Electronic Learning Environment for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The computer program can recognize sign language in real time and can therefore be used to teach children who are deaf or hard of hearing new signs more quickly.

Madonna, must you constantly use the word ‘retarded’? I know you are rich and famous and can do pretty much whatever you want, but I’m sick of your language. You have adopted a child from a developing country and I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you have a bit of compassion and understanding somewhere deep inside. Would you please call that understanding to the forefront every time you feel the urge to use the “R” word? It really doesn’t make you sound cool – it makes you sound crude and insensitive. May I suggest you watch this video produced by ARC of Virginia titled, “Respect.”



Today I am thankful for Sundays - days spent with the family, snuggling with Ashley, and cooking comfort food.

Driving Topless

Got your attention, didn't I?

Same thing happened to me when I saw the title of this news article:

Could Topless Driving Make You Deaf?



Today I am thankful for my new(ish) car. I'm not worrying so much now about breakdowns, but I do miss all the space of my old van.