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Topic “disability”

Families Happy Despite Severe Needs

Posted by Nathan Charlan on Jul 31 2012
Posted on DisabilityScoop.com, By Shaun Heasley July 30, 2012 Even with the severe disabilities associated with two rare chromosomal disorders, a new study finds that parents raising kids with the conditions say the experience is positive. In fact, in interviews with 332 parents who have lived with children with trisomy 13 or 18 — two disorders marked by severe disabilities and a short life span — 97 percent said their kids were happy and enriched their lives. The findings reported in the August issue of the journal Pediatrics come in sharp contrast to the predictions that families said they were offered from the medical community. Parents indicated that they were told that their children would be “incompatible with life” and would lead a “life of suffering.” Some...

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Technology allows users to interact with computer & other machines through mind power!

Posted by Nathan Charlan on Apr 13 2012
Mind Technologies, Inc. develops software for thought-controlled technologies, allowing the user to interact with the computer and other machines through the power of the mind. The technology involves the use of a wireless headset, developed by our strategic partner, which detects brainwaves on both the conscious and non-conscious level. This revolutionary neural processing technology makes it possible for computers to interact directly with the human brain. The technology of the software opens up a whole new world of access for those with disabilities, especially those with limited control of hands and fingers. The applications allow users to : play their favorite PC games with the power of their mind navigate the computer, click and double click to open programs, compose email and send with the power of their mind “Think-Tac-Toe" game designed to provide cognitive exercise for anyone playing...

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Cerebral palsy doctor Jan Brunstrom has cerebral palsy

Posted by Nathan Charlan on Mar 08 2012
By Mike Bush, KSDK.com, St. Louis: St. Louis (KSDK) - Most doctors choose their specialty. In the case of Dr. Jan Brunstrom, her specialty chose her. "I never thought I would do this," she explained. One of the busiest doctors at St. Louis Children's Hospital, she and her team treat kids with cerebral palsy, more than 2,000 a year. They come from as far away as Europe and on this day, she had patients from Philadelphia and Cedar Rapids. "She understands the needs of the kids," said mom Donna Ferguson from Pennsylvania. Kristi Trotter from Iowa, another mom added, "She really looks at it whatever abilities children do have rather than which ones they don't." Cerebral palsy is the term for a non-contagious group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move their limbs, maintain posture and in some cases communicate. These children face many challenges and no one knows that better than Dr. Brunstrom. She too has cerebral palsy....

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Designing rooms for children with special needs

Posted by Nathan Charlan on Feb 22 2012
By Terri Sapienza, Washington Post, Wednesday, February 22, 8:56 AM It was just over three years ago when interior designer Ginger Rodriguez received the phone call that would change her life. In December 2008, she and her husband, Miguel, were asked to provide emergency foster care for an infant; 45 minutes later, a little boy in need of shelter and medical attention was brought to their door in Alexandria. They officially adopted Sean last summer. The experience of raising a child with medical disabilities and developmental delays prompted Rodriguez to add a specialty to her business: creating rooms for children who have special needs. “There are so many people dealing with this,” she says. “I wanted to come up with a w...

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A New Resource: The Medicaid Reference Desk

Posted by Nathan Charlan on Dec 28 2011
Recently, the Arc of the United States has created a new, comprehensive online reference center offering information on Medicaid and state Medicaid services. The website is designed to provide information to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, Service brokers, service providers, and policymakers alike. It is currently the only website that provides in-depth Medicaid service information specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This project is funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), a government agency whose mission is to make sure that people with developmental disabilities have access to the community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that they need. ADD and The Arc support people with I/DD to be independent, self-determined, healthy and productive people who are included in all areas of community life. The website is designed to offer...

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Inclusion: The Right Thing for All Students

Posted by Nathan Charlan on Nov 18 2011
Nov. 11, 2011, 11:34 a.m. [Op-Ed in New York Times] By Cheryl M. Jorgensen Cheryl M. Jorgensen, Ph.D., is a member of the affiliate faculty with the National Center on Inclusive Education at the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. In 2008 she received the National Down Syndrome Congress Education Award for her leadership and pioneering research supporting the inclusion of students with Down syndrome. She has written this open letter to Shael Polakow-Suransky, the chief academic officer for New York City schools. It’s time to restructure all of our schools to become inclusive of all of our children. We have reached the tipping point...

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