Wheelchair Tango

A short film about a young man using a wheelchair who meets a young woman using a wheelchair...

Brandon's video

Brandon Sulser, a C5-6 quadriplegic, posted this video showing how he's adapted to his disability in everyday life. He shows a number of adaptive devices that he uses to transfer out of bed, get dressed, eat and get around.

Faith and flat tires

I've received a temporary breather from the tech issues with my laptop. I did some uninstalls/reinstalls, checked for viruses (it was clean) and anything else I could think of that might be affecting its performance. I also gave it a pep talk. Whatever I did seems to have worked.

As I was working on my laptop and watching Notre Dame lose its football game, I kept remembering the time I got a flat tire on my wheelchair at a shopping outlet about 2 miles away from my car . I was carrying a kit which I won at a wheelchair tennis tournament. it must have been old because when I went to use it nothing in the package worked. Just as I was trying to wrap my brain around a way to get back to my car and/or get my tire fixed, I heard another hissing sound and realized that the second tire was going flat.

Sitting there on the rims, I noticed a security guard nearby and hailed him down. He asked me if I had spare tires or wheels in my car and I realized that I had my tennis wheels with me. He was kind enough to go to my car, get the second set of tires and bring them to me so I could replace the flat ones.

That wasn't the first time I got a flat tire. Ironically my first flat tire happened when I was being strapped into an accessible bus at a wheelchair tennis tournament. Luckily I was on the way back from the matches. My friend stared at me as the hissing sound began. I was such a newbie that I didn't even know what it was. She told me it was the valve and when the bus dropped us off, we spent a good 40 minutes putting a new tube onto the chair. Although we were late to the banquet, we had everything we needed right at hand.

I've had a number of other flat tires. After a while I learned what I needed to carry with me but I also realized that no matter how prepared I was, getting a flat tire fixed involves a little faith.

First there's the "a ha" moment when you realize you're not going anywhere. The air that you assumed would be in that tire, that you depend upon so you can roll just whooshes out and your next reaction is "uh oh".

This is where faith comes in. Hopefully you're prepared. Even then, you can't always plan for every contingency. It doesn't do any good blaming yourself if you accidentally ran over glass or blaming other people like bus drivers who don't know how to strap a wheelchair in.

The faith part has a lot to do with being open to all possibilities. Sometimes you have to ask for help. Other times you tinker long enough with it and you're good to go. I've learned that you can't go wrong as long as you refuse to sit too long on the flat tire.

That's probably the only reason any of us should blame ourselves.

You just got to have faith.

Governor Paterson on SNL...

addressed the issue of disrespectful treatment of disability on the show. The real governor appears about 2:30 minutes into the clip.

New Robotic Arm to Help Quadriplegics

You can read more about it here.

Man with CP harassed daily while trying to work

Just saw this story about Jamie Johnston, who has cerebral palsy and works as a sign holder outside a Halloween store in Texas. People are reporting this to Adult Protective Services , complaining to his employer , honking, and calling the police. Jamie says he just wants to work.

The video attached to the article at the above link is worth watching. The story reflects why so many people with disabilities remain unemployed.

Rosa's law passes House

Last evening, the House of Representatives passed Rosa's Law.

Under the bill, the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” would be stripped from federal health, education and labor policy. “Intellectual disability” and “individual with an intellectual disability” would be inserted in their place.

The bill now goes to the President to sign.

Speech Recognition on Netbooks

Nothing appeals more to me than a small laptop that will do voice recognition. After all, mounting it on my wheelchair is easier, lifting it up and down is easier and carrying it along is easier. But the smaller the laptop with specs that will do voice recognition, the higher the price.

I suppose that's why I've been curious about pulling off voice recognition on a netbook.

Having said that, necessity forced me into buying a net book this weekend. My One and Only computer and laptop is making odd noises that resemble hard drive issues, so I rolled over to my local Radio Shack and spoke to my tech guy. When I saw that he had refurbished and display model netbooks and heard the prices, I realized that it was the best way for me to go until I can get a laptop with the right specs for voice recognition.

I decided to get the display model HP Mini 210 at a discount so I'll have a computer around in case all else fails. My plan was to use the netbook with a mouthstick until I can get a new laptop, but I was also curious about whether speech recognition would work at all on it.

I tried out the Windows 7 speech recognition in Windows Starter. Even with the built in mic and at 1 GB RAM, it caught some of what I said, especially the navigation commands. It opened and closed programs and windows fairly easily and went up and down web pages in Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. This alone is useful and falls into the "better than nothing" category in terms of saving energy. I then added a headset microphone which helped a bit. More RAM would probably help too. But as far as dictating writing goes, it looks somewhat bleak. Even my attempt to dictate "Dear Mr. Smith" into an email fell flat.

I don't have a copy of Dragon 11, which claims to work on netbooks. I still haven't seen a review of how it works on a netbook, but if anyone has, let me know.

If you can type with an assistive device and need portability, a net book is remarkably fast considering the specs. The HP mini 210 is fine for viewing videos, word processing, email, surfing the net and social media. I suppose it's also an indication of how far my laptop is gone that the mini boots faster and is less aggravating to use, even with a mouthstick and pecking at it, than my laptop is with voice recognition some days.

And my cat is very happy. He can actually fit in my lap with the netbook - and he hates speech recognition because it interrupts his naps. Now if he would only stop playing with the assistive device....

Phil Case - Chief financial officer and C6 quadriplegic

Phil Case writes about life in a wheelchair, his job, his accident, his spinal cord injury, his thoughts on accessibility and his goals.

IEP Hell by Proxy

Blogging has been light here lately, but just know that eventually we'll all get through IEP hell.

Transitioning to a new school requires the heart of a hero and the patience of a saint. Bless all you parents.

DOJ Publishes Revised ADA Title II & III Regulations

They will take effect March 15, 2011. You can (and should) have a look at them here.

Back to School in a Wheelchair

This excellent article Back To School: What It Means When You're in a Wheelchair has lots of tips and suggestions for students and parents of all grade levels, from kindergarten through college. Parents and students interviewed emphasize the importance of communicating well with the school to make needed adjustments.

For Arielle, going to school in a wheelchair isn't much different than prior to her injury. "There are certainly more challenges," says Arielle, "like reaching for trays and silverware in the lunch line. Or finding time to go to the bathroom in between classes, or just getting to class on time! I go to a big school with only one elevator."

.....

"I just try to make the best of it," says Arielle. "And be like everyone else in high school. I just go with the flow. I'm always more excited than scared to start a new class."

You can read the rest of the piece at the link above.

Will the real assistive technology stand up?

I was just over at Planet of the Blind which is both a blog and a place as far as I'm concerned. I go there to read poetry some days. I also visit to hear the thoughts of author and professor Stephen Kuusisto. His blog writing has been hampered lately, as has apparently all his other writing, because of computer issues.

Today he writes about PC and Mac fails with assistive technology needs for the blind and visually impaired. It's a piece worth reading. It's a disgrace that computers still lack access for people with disabilities, despite their claims that onboard software offers accessibility solutions.

The new Windows 7 system is supposed to have its own screen reading software built in, along with screen magnification. "Huzzah!" thought I. "Let's give it a go!"

Well of course it turns out that the W7 "narrator" is just a stunt or a gimmick--it's not a fully functional screen reading program like Jaws (which though pricey does afford full functional access to most major Microsoft programs). So guess what? Blind people will still have to fork out the hefty price for Jaws or its competitors in order to effectively use the pc.

If you're a visually impaired person this is all familiar enough


On top of this, computers present compatibility issues with assistive software and operating systems. So what about Macs....

Given all the problems with Windows 7 and the Dell laptop and Jaws I began to think about switching to the new Mac. Apple has been touting (or is that "tooting"?) about its new "Voice Over" screen reading program that's built into the OS 10 operating system. IN effect they're bragging about how seamless and accessible the new Mac is for blind people.

So of course I tried it out with a loaner Mac from the university. What I discovered is that Voice Over doesn't work with Mac's version of Microsoft Office, the very productivity tool one needs to work at the University of Iowa. It doesn't work with the Mac version of "Outlook" which is called "Entourage" nor does it work with the Mac version of "Word". I spent hours last night combing through Apple's unfriendly assistive technology website trying to gain information about why Voice Over couldn't work with these essential tools. Lo and Behold, buried on a web page about programs that "do" work one finds by process of elimination that Voice Over won't currently function with these all important programs.

Go on over and read the rest- about the effect all of this has had on Steve's ability to get work done and the amount of time he's had to waste trying to get information, much less a solution to these issues.

Proudly Accessible Dubuque : Accessibility Reviews

Great video that talks about a program that works to achieve access in businesses and find solutions to access issues businesses may not be aware of.



You can read more about Proudly Accessible Dubuque here.

It's a bird, it's a plane...it's a trapeze....

The trapeze over my hospital bed has been getting a full time workout since I strained/sprained my hip last week. Here's a picture of it from underneath. A very useful item.

I remember the day I got it. It was around the time I received my hospital bed. My friends pushed the trapeze stand under the bed. After they left, I remember thinking that I didn't need it. I felt it was overkill. I felt the same way about the hospital bed.

I was angry when I forgot the trapeze was there and bonked up against it. "Don't need it," I grumbled. It was so steely and gray and ugly, I complained. So my friend put a tennis ball on the end of it to make me laugh.

Of course the first time I used the bed and trapeze to help me get in and out of bed, dressed, etc. I realized what a help they were. They have allowed me to be independent so many times.

Some of us with disabilities may feel when we first start using some equipment that we don't need it, even when signs point to a very strong need for it. Maybe we go from crutches to a walker or a walker to a wheelchair and we put it off despite people we care about telling us it would make our lives easier. At the time it can seem like a defeat or even giving in if we view equipment like that instead of seeing it as a tool for independence.

Looking back, I realize that many times the equipment I use every day that gives me independence are things I no longer even see when I look around a room because I'm so used to them being there. Like my trapeze. Whereas once it felt odd to wake up with a trapeze over my head, now I'm just used to it.

In fact, I'm so used to using it that even when I get a temporary injury, it allows me to maintain my independence. That's huge.

To anyone changing equipment or adding equipment , I'm writing this so you know you're not alone in going through these things. It can feel like you're the only one. It's not like you look around where you are and see lots of other people you can go up to and say 'Hey how was it for you when you went through this?' But there are folks out there who have gone through it. And many times talking to them helps, when and where you find them.

It's a bird, it's a plane....it's a trapeze....

Trabasack Curve Connect: Lap Tray Bag Review

Trabasack makes lap tray bags for use by people with and without disabilities. The product was designed by a person with a disability, which is obvious after a few minutes of use. It's lightweight, has D rings, numerous strap options to carry and grab it, and is oh-so-comfortable on my lap for long periods of time sitting. (That's because it has a removable bean bag on one side and a firm flat surface on top). Most importantly, it's versatile, serving many purposes so I don't have to keep switching items around or carry too much with me.

There are different models, including a smaller mini type commonly used for netbooks and iPads and a larger Curve model, shown above right. These lap tray bags not only provide a surface to work on or have a meal, they also open to store items inside.

I asked for the Trabasack Curve Connect to review. The "connect" feature is all about velcro. I wanted the velcro surface (it also comes in leather) so that I can attach items like my cell phone and iPod touch . All I had to do was put a small piece of velcro on these items and they safely adhere to the Trabasack. I can easily and independently remove them from the surface if I want to use the lap tray to eat or hold my laptop. My dexterity issues make it difficult to find easy ways to keep items at hand without worrying about breaking them when I move around. The Trabasack solves that problem.


I also like the D rings so I can open the Trabasack without asking for help. Inside, there's quite a bit of room to hold papers, notebooks, snacks, books, assistive devices, electronic items or whatever else you need to carry.

I took a photo (at left) of the Trabasack sitting open on a wheelchair to show how far it opens up. As you can see, the large opening makes it simple to get items in and out. Because I have quadriplegia, the bigger the target the better.

Carrying the Trabasack around is easy because it comes with several sets of straps, both long and short. The long ones can be used to carry it like a messenger bag, as a backpack, on the back of a wheelhair or to hold it on your lap. The shorter side straps can be attached to the arms of a wheelchair. I'm using the long straps to put it on the back of my wheelchairs. You can see it on the back of a manual wheelchair in the photo.

I've used the Trabasack for several days now. The first day I decided to try out my 14 inch laptop on it, although I initially intended to just use the tray to hold smaller electronic items. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my laptop fit. The bean bag bottom of the tray and the curve shape conformed to my lap and it was a comfortable setup . Because it's so light and had no slippery surfaces, I can independently get it on and off my lap, unlike other laptop holders I've tried to use which require assistance.

I'm also using the Trabasack as a lap tray for meals. It's washable (it comes with instructions). I eat off of a plastic tray so I just place that on top of the Trabasack. It's a far more comfortable way to eat since the beanbag acts as a cushion and levels the tray.

Another feature I like is that there are so many ways to grab the Trabasack when I need it. I sometimes struggle to set things up due to their weight and slippery surfaces when no one is around to help. With the Trabasack, it's so light that I've experienced no discomfort lifting it. I can use a reacher on the smaller handles or slip my forearm through the larger straps to grab it, drop it on my lap and get right to work again. There's no danger of injuring myself since it's soft and light.

So many times I've bought products that don't travel well. The great thing with the Trabasack is that it holds items while you travel instead of becoming another piece of equipment you have to lug along.

I recommend The Trabasack for anyone - disabled or not- looking for a work or leisure surface at home or on the go. For me it's a practical solution but I really like that it's fashionable too.

The Trabasack is available for sale at this site.

[Full disclosure under FTC guidelines: I received a free Trabasack Curve Connect to review.]

The Wii - A Knockout

They say if you want to know anything about technology, ask a teenager.

Enter my nephew. I told him I'd like to get into some gaming and exercise.

Yesterday he lent me his Nintendo Wii. I strapped on a brace, pushed the controller into it and played the game Wii Sports.

I tried out the tennis game first. (Big surprise there, eh?) I was able to play that, although I wasn't very accurate. I could serve easily by just swinging. It was more difficult to hit the ball back in bounds, but I can't say yet whether I'll be able to master that.

Then I tried out boxing. This was definitely a quad-friendly game. To play this, you have to hold both a Wii controller and the nunchuck, so I attached both to my hands. Once I had done that, boxing on the Wii was easy. It consists mostly of punching movements, requiring no dexterity. Not only was it fun, but a pretty good workout. Getting K.O.'s was a real blast.

I couldn't play bowling at all. The movements just weren't happening. Baseball wasn't much of a go either.

Golf may be another game I can play. I had some success with that by just limiting my "strokes" to one basic move across my body and using gravity to bring my arm up and across my chest. This wasn't effective at some points in the game, but I managed to experiment with it enough to complete holes.

That's the wonder of the Wii. There really aren't any rules. As long as the game picks up your movement, you can play with the function you have. And, other than reports of some shoulder injuries or discomfort from overuse, the Wii is being used as a rehab tool without any concerns, so it seems to be a safe way to get exercise, stretch out and have some fun.

My nephew left it here for the weekend. I'm definitely going to work on my boxing skills. Next week? A bout in Las Vegas....

Families of Developmentally Disabled Object to Proposed Law

Ordinance 2010-096 is at the midst of the debate.


"As [the ordinance] is written right now, it is very restrictive. It violates the Fair Housing Act, it violates HIPAA and other provisions of federal law," said Dr. Terry Ryan, Superintendent for the CCBDD.

Dr. Ryan says the concern surrounds wording in the proposed ordinance that would restrict where people with developmental disabilities could live. It would also require those people to disclose the type of disability they have, and require 24-hour supervision, without regard to actual need for supervision.

"It also gives overly broad authority to city officials to determine who can live in a home," said Dr. Ryan.

[emphasis added]

Strongsville officials have cited among their reasons for proposing such a law and, ironically, to update the law to be in conformance with state and federal law, adding "safety concerns" for everyone.

Clearly this is an attempt to limit where people with disabilities can live in the community and to impose restrictions that make it impossible for them to live independently.

A meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday. Dr. Ryan indicates that Strongsville has committed to making substantial changes to the law.

Study shows half of DC cab drivers pass by blind people with guide dogs

A study by a civil rights watchdog, the Equal Rights Center, showed in half of 30 tests cab drivers passed by blind passengers with guide dogs. The study was done based on complaints by blind people that some taxi drivers do not follow the law requiring reasonable accommodations. In fact, some try to charge surcharges for taking a guide dog. You can read more here and watch the video below.


{This video lacks narration. The video text precedes the video.}


Video Text:
The Equal Rights Center (ERC)

The Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC)

Hogan and Lovells US LLP

More than 25 million individuals in the United States report having vision loss; approximately 2.5 million of those are legally blind.

Federal law requires taxicab drivers to allow service dogs in their vehicles, and prohibits them from charging a surcharge, higher fare, or extra fee for transporting a service dog.

Despite these protections, people encounter discrimination on a daily basis.

(Video of blind woman with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. Two cabs pass her and pick up another woman 100 feet away)

The ERC conducted tests in the District; each included two individuals, one with a service dog and one without, who stood on the same side of the block.

(Video of blind woman with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. A cab approaches her, slows down to a near stop, and then drives on to pick up another women 100 feet away)

In 60% of these tests, the tester with a service dog was subjected to at least one form of discriminatory treatment.

(Video of a woman with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. A cab passes her and picks up another women 100 feet away)

"These instances are both hurtful and an insult to those of us who must rely upon the loving assistance of our dogs to travel independently." -ERC member, Charles Crawford

Video of a man with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. A cab passes him and picks up another man 100 feet away)

"Cabbie's go whizzing by and I can't see to know if they have somebody in their cab or if they don't." -ERC member, Stan Berman

(Video of a woman with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. A cab passes her and picks up another women 100 feet away)

Help advance civil rights and learn more about what can be done to end discrimination against individuals who use service dogs.

Learn more and download the report at www.equalrightscenter.org