UCF Team Creates Accessible Video Game

Some children ask for video games for Christmas. There is a video game for children without hands. Students from the University of Central Florida's School of Visual Arts & Design worked with Limbitless Solutions to create an accessible video game called Smash Bro. Smash Bro and other games in the Limbitless Training Games series use electromyography (EMG) board technology. An EMG board is attached to one's forearm with conductive pads for the measurement of electric impulses while flexing muscles. In early August, UCF's game design students and their professors went to the Smithsonian American Art Museum where they had a demonstration of Smash Bro and talked with White House staff about accessibility technology. Children who received bionic arms from Limbitless Solutions tried out the video games and gave positive reviews in September. On December 1, Limbitless Training Games won the Best Serious Game Innovation Award during the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in Orlando. For more details on this story, go to https://today.ucf.edu/ucf-game-wins-innovation-award/.

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Spotlight: Accomable

Many people travel for the holidays. One resource for travelers with disabilities is Accomable, a London-based company that provides information about handicap accessible lodging in several countries. Srin Madipalli and Martyn Sibley, childhood friends with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, founded Accomable in 2015. Last month, the online hospitality service Airbnb bought the company. Accomable will assist users during the transitional period. For more information, go to https://accomable.com/.

Image from accomable.com

Mowat-Wilson Syndrome

Chef Adam Greenberg of Washington, D.C., beat three other chefs to win $10,000 during the "Grand Holiday" episode of Chopped last Tuesday, December 5. A three-time Chopped winner, Greenberg donated his winnings to the Mowat-Wilson Syndrome (MWS) Foundation of which his sister Katie Fineberg is a director (Katie's daughter Zoe has the disorder). MWS is a genetic condition with several characteristics, including distinctive facial features, moderate or severe intellectual disability, delayed development of motor skills, and Hirschsprung disease (an intestinal disorder). Other issues associated with this disorder are speech problems, seizures, and heart defects. People with MWS in general have a smiling, open-mouthed expression on their faces along with cheerful personalities. For more information, go to https://mowat-wilson.org/.

Image from gofundme.com

Spotlight: Queen of Hearts Foundation for Disabled Children

Founded by Michele Knott in 2005, the Queen of Hearts Foundation for Disabled Children serves those with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus by raising money for therapy, treatment, and equipment in an effort to help them live a better life and gain independence. Two days ago, Queen of Hearts (based in Palm Bay) hosted the Freedom Wheels Festival 2017 at the Sarno Plaza in Melbourne. There were food trucks, vendors, a silent auction, and live entertainment from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. The proceeds are going to the purchase of handicap accessible vans for families of wheelchair users. Country Bingo, Bicsi Cares, and the Florida Bankers Association are sponsors of Queen of Hearts. For more information, go to http://www.giveachildafightingchance.com/.

 

Image obtained from giveachildafightingchance.com

A Review of "Wonder"

If you're wondering whether or not you should see the movie Wonder, the answer is yes! Set in Manhattan, New York, Wonder is about a boy named August "Auggie" Pullman, who has mandibulofacial dysostosis, also known as Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS). Occurring in approximately one in 50,000 people, TCS is a genetic disorder in which the ears, eyes, cheekbones, and chin are deformed. Children with severe cases of TCS have breathing problems, difficulty seeing, a cleft palate, and/or hearing loss, but they are of normal intelligence. They can manage symptoms with reconstructive surgery, speech therapy, and hearing aids and other assistive devices. Life expectancy for those with TCS is normal in general. For more information about TCS, go to https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/946143-overview.

Based on R.J. Palacio's 2012 novel of the same name, Wonder (starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay as Auggie) takes us through Auggie's first year of physically going to school; he had been home-schooled prior to the fifth grade due to recovering from 27 surgeries. At first, Auggie has trouble fitting in, but he eventually makes friends and does well with his studies. By the end of the school year, he feels accepted by his classmates. Wonder is a wonderful family movie that reminds us to overcome our challenges and to be kind to everyone.

Our Pride Academy

One of the four contestants on last Tuesday's episode of the Food Network's cooking competition Chopped competed for Our Pride Academy (OPA) in Miami as his charity of choice. OPA, a non-profit organization, is a school for children aged three to adult with developmental disabilities. According to the school's Web site, OPA's goal is "to teach essential academic and daily living skills that will empower students to live independent and fulfilling lives." The teachers achieve this goal by using proven research-based techniques. OPA accepts donations, and the proceeds from the All Fore the Kids Second Annual Golf Tournament in Doral near Miami on Saturday, December 2, will go to OPA. For more information about the school, go to http://ourprideacademy.org/.

 

Image from ourprideacademy.org

Spotlight: Jeremy Haynes

At the end of last week, we observed Veterans Day in the United States. On October 30, Army Maj. Jeremy Haynes was the guest speaker at a National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) event sponsored by the Multicultural Committee at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. He became paralyzed from the waist down after being shot four times while serving as an assistant to Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, who died in the attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 5, 2014. (Maj. Gen. Greene is the highest ranking American officer to die in combat in the Global War on Terrorism.) Beating the odds, Maj. Haynes was able to stand again three months later and now can walk a few steps with a cane, thanks to medical professionals at WRNMMC to which he was transferred after initial treatment at a medical center in Germany. Regarding NDEAM, he told his audience that people with disabilities want an opportunity to show their capabilities. For more details on this story, go to http://www.dcmilitary.com/journal/features/walter-reed-bethesda-celebrates-disability-inclusion/article_905d1427-b68e-5899-8ff4-9fc2389dc9da.html.

Girl with Special Needs Released from Custody

Rosa Maria Hernandez, a ten-year-old girl with cerebral palsy and the mental capacity of a five-year-old, was released from a children's home last Friday. On October 24, an ambulance was taking Hernandez (accompanied by an adult cousin who is a US citizen) to the hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, when it was stopped at a Border Patrol checkpoint. Originally from Mexico, Hernandez arrived in the United States when she was three months old, so she is technically an undocumented immigrant. Hernandez and her cousin were escorted to the hospital where she had emergency gallbladder surgery before she was discharged into US Customs and Border Protection custody. Although she has reunited with her mother, it's possible Hernandez will be deported. This case is something to be considered in immigration debates. For more details on this story, go to http://kfor.com/2017/11/05/undocumented-girl-with-special-needs-in-federal-custody-is-released/.

 

Cerebral palsy awareness ribbon

Hydrocephalus Association Walk

Derived from two Greek words that together mean "water head," hydrocephalus is the rapid collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. This makes a person's head larger than normal. The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is implanting a shunt, a tube that transfers some CSF from the brain to another part of the body. I was born with hydrocephalus, but fortunately, it corrected itself quickly, so I didn't need a shunt. Last Saturday, the 2017 Orlando Walk to End Hydrocephalus took place at Dr. P. Phillips Community Park. The Walk raised over $19,000, which will go toward research, education, advocacy, and community support networks. For more information about hydrocephalus and its Association, go to www.hydroassoc.org.

Spotlight: Brett Leake

Brett Leake is a "sit-down" stand-up comic with muscular dystrophy. He uses humor as a way to deal with problems. The first comedian with a physical disability to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Leake has also appeared on Entertainment Tonight and the American Comedy Awards. He is a National Humor Treasure Award winner along with comedians such as Gilda Radner, Bob Newhart, and Leno. He participated in the Brevard Achievement Center's inaugural E2A (Employ, Empower, Achieve) Community Awards at the Hilton Rialto last Wednesday. To learn more about Leake, go to http://brettleake.com/.

 

Brett Leake

Ohio Casino Hosts Poker Tournament for the Deaf

A month ago, Hollywood Casino Toledo hosted the Ohio Deaf Poker Championship, which consisted of two tournaments. After being asked to do so by regular players who are deaf, the casino held its first poker tournament for people with hearing impairments on March 11. Communicating through sign language, the players were appreciative of the opportunity to participate in a poker tournament tailored to them. There are very few poker tournaments held for deaf people in the United States. The Ohio Deaf Poker Championship is a friendly poker event that makes the deaf players comfortable. As a recreational poker player, I appreciate Hollywood Casino Toledo's efforts at inclusion. For more details, go to http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2017/09/16/Local-casino-s-deaf-poker-tournament-gives-players-feelings-of-community.html.

Pocket aces and poker chips
(image via www.pokernews.com)

New Medicare Cards

Due to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is in the process of removing Social Security Numbers (SSN) from Medicare cards. The SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number will be replaced with a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. This change is being made in an effort to prevent medical identity theft of recipients. The new cards will be sent in April 2018. You may have recently seen a commercial about the new Medicare cards. For more information, go to https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/New-Medicare-Card/index.html.

 
The new Medicare card
(image via AARP)

2017 Disability Equality Index Results

With October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this is a good time to review the results of the 2017 Disability Equality Index (DEI), which lists 68 of the best places to work for people with handicaps. Companies that scored 100% on a set of criteria include AMC Theatres, ManpowerGroup, and Walmart. I can see why they received such high scores, for I have friends with disabilities who work at AMC Theatres and Walmart. I went to ManpowerGroup when I was looking for a job four years ago. Other companies that scored high on the DEI are MetLife and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. My parents bought insurance from MetLife. Whenever we go on a cruise, it's with Royal Caribbean. This is the third year the DEI was conducted. To see other companies on the Best Places to Work list, go to https://disabilityequalityindex.org/top_companies.

  

DEI Logo

(obtained from aapd.com)

Characteristics of a Handicapped Accessible Van

This is the season during which the previous year's vehicles are phased out and the current year's vehicles become available for sale. Wheelchair users shop for vans with certain features that accommodate their needs. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design describe the characteristics of handicapped accessible vans. For example, the lift door opening height must be at least 56'', and there must be a 30" x 40" wide clear platform for the handicap lift. The wheelchair attachments must be able to withstand 2,500 pounds per square inch of pressure per leg, and the seat belt mechanisms must consist of 4-point tie-downs with lap and shoulder belt. Interior lighting should contain one foot candle of illumination. For more information about these standards, go to https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm.

 

A handicapped accessible van

Spotlight: Victoria Arlen

I hope all of my readers are doing well after Hurricane Irma. My parents' house in which I live lost power for six days, but thankfully, there was no damage. Life is coming back to normal.

Victoria Arlen is a model, actress, motivational speaker, and ESPN sportscaster. At age 11 in 2006, Arlen contracted two rare conditions, transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, which left her in a vegetative state for almost four years. She competed as a swimmer at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, winning one gold medal and three silver medals. Arlen regained her ability to walk during the last two years. She created the Victoria's Victory Foundation, which awards scholarships to individuals to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Arlen is competing with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars premiering tonight. For more information about this inspirational young woman, go to https://www.victoriaarlen.com/.

 

Victoria Arlen

Changing the Face of Beauty

Changing the Face of Beauty (CTFOB) is a nonprofit that advocates for more inclusion of people with disabilities in media and advertising. Katie Driscoll, who has a daughter with Down syndrome, founded CTFOB five years ago. This organization attracted publicity in 2014 when Driscoll was asked by Tori Spelling's children's fashion line, Little Maven, to produce its holiday campaign. CTFOB was instrumental in getting Jamie Brewer, the first New York Fashion Week model with Down Syndrome, on the runway in 2015. Appearing on TV programs such as The Today Show, CTFOB currently has 21 partners that include models with disabilities in their advertising. Driscoll, who has a total of six children, was one of the 2017 Awesome Women Awards honorees featured in Good Housekeeping. To learn more about CTFOB, go to http://changingthefaceofbeauty.org/.

 

A CTFOB model (Image

obtained from thislittlemiggy.com)

National Inclusion Project

Now that school is back in session in Florida, the word inclusion should be kept in mind. The National Inclusion Project is an organization that advocates for children with disabilities to be included in the activities of recreational programs. The nonprofit's purpose is achieved through its Let's ALL Play program with the belief that ALL children can participate, ALL children can make friends, and ALL children can succeed. Formerly the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, the National Inclusion Project was co-founded by Clay Aiken, runner-up of the second season of American Idol. Aiken (who has a bachelor's degree in special education) was the tutor of co-founder Diane Bubel's son Michael, who has autism. For more information about the National Inclusion Project, go to http://www.inclusionproject.org/.

Surfers for Autism

Based in Boca Raton, Surfers for Autism (SFA) is a nonprofit that introduces surfing to children on the autism spectrum. SFA's mission is to unlock the children's potential while supporting advocacy for autism resources and scientific research. It also aims to eliminate stigma through public awareness and education. Free SFA events have been held at different beaches in Florida and Georgia since 2008. At each event, surf instructors guide the children into the water and teach them the basics. There are other fun activities and a catered lunch for the children, their families, and volunteers. The latest event was the Eighth Annual First Coast Beach Festival at the Flagler Beach Pier last Saturday. FSA sells merchandise at its online store Storenvy. For more information about this organization, go to http://surfersforautism.org/.

Spotlight: Sammi Tucker

Samantha "Sammi" Tucker, an Air Force veteran, lost part of her left arm in 2010. Having less than two years experience, Tucker became the first American woman to compete in the Open Compound Para Archery Division at last year's Paralympics. She is an abuse survivor and former methamphetamine addict whose life is now on target. As a resilience expert, Tucker encourages people to think in a positive way to overcome adversity; her first book will be released soon. She was the keynote speaker at the Florida Youth Council's Tenth Annual Youth Summit (an event for people with disabilities aged 15-30) August 11-12 in Orlando (please refer to my August 8, 2016 post for a recap of the Ninth Annual Youth Summit). For more information about Tucker, go to http://www.sammitucker.com/.

Ability App: Providing Accessibility Information

Alexander "Alex" Knoll, a 12-year-old from Post Falls, Idaho, has been in the process of developing Ability App for people with disabilities. This free app will list disability-friendly features of various locations (automatic doors, wheelchair ramps, etc.). Ability App will also keep users informed of disability services like in-home care and transportation as well as employment opportunities. People with visual impairments or without the use of their limbs can use the app with their voice while those without the use of their limbs or voice can use eye-tracking software. Ability App will make users aware of the accessibility of where they want to go. Knoll won awards at a few student invention competitions in 2015 and 2016. He was inspired to create Ability App after seeing a wheelchair user struggle to open a heavy door at a sporting goods store.

Knoll has appeared on TV shows such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show on which he received a $25,000 donation from Shutterfly, a company that makes photo books and other picture-related gifts. Knoll is looking for accessibility ambassadors to help populate accessibility information on the app, and donations are appreciated. For more information about Ability App, go to http://www.abilityapp.org/.

Joni Eareckson Tada: 50 Years in a Wheelchair

Joni Eareckson Tada has accomplished a lot since she became paralyzed at age 17 due to a diving accident 50 years ago. She is the founder and CEO of the Joni and Friends International Disability Center, which promotes Christianity to people with disabilities. A breast cancer survivor, Joni is a magazine columnist and has written more than 50 books, including her autobiography Joni. The 1979 film of the same name in which Joni played herself is being shown at a movie screening at a church in Westlake Village, California on Sunday, August 6. As a disability advocate, Joni has traveled to more than 45 countries and received numerous awards. She hosts a daily radio program and used to host a TV show called Joni and Friends.

Joni enjoys painting with a brush between her teeth, which she learned during her two-year rehabilitation following her accident. She has been married to her husband Ken since 1982. Joni is truly an inspiration, especially to wheelchair users. For more information about this amazing woman, go to http://www.joniandfriends.org/.

 

Joni Eareckson Tada

The Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development

Based in Indian Harbor Beach, the Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development enhances the lives of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their parents/caretakers through education, sports, and arts programs. These programs are made possible by partnerships with individuals, local businesses, and organizations. Informational sessions are held periodically for those who want to learn more about ASD. Along with UCF's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and the nonprofit Spring Forward for Autism, the Parker Foundation participated in the creation of "Be Safe Be Prepared," a mobile app that contains ASD resources. One upcoming event is the 2nd Annual Parker Foundation Musical Concert, which will take place from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 5, at Wesley Church (2075 Meadowlane Ave. in West Melbourne). The concert is free, but donations would be appreciated. Basketball clinics are planned for November.

One of the Parker Foundation's co-founders, Melissa Parker is Mrs. Southeast International 2017, and her platform is autism awareness. She'll compete at the Mrs. International Pageant in Charleston, West Virginia, August 11-12. For more information about the Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development, go to http://www.theparkerfoundation.com/.

Courtesy of brevardcountyevents.com