How Satoshi Tajiri, a Game Designer with Autism, Created an International Phenomenon

Staff Writer

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October 24, 2018

How Satoshi Tajiri, a Game Designer with Autism, Created an International Phenomenon

Can a disability lead someone to an idea nobody else could have thought of? History says yes. One of the biggest pop culture obsessions of the last few decades has its roots in a childhood hobby influenced by autism. This is the story of Satoshi Tajiri, the man behind Pokémon.

The path to making video games

Growing up, Tajiri exhibited characteristics typical of those with autism. He had a few interests that he focused on intensely, and didn’t enjoy school. In his youth, Tajiri was obsessed with collecting bugs. His friends called him “Dr. Bug” because he was always searching for and finding new bugs to add to his collection. He was also distracted and bored in school. As he grew older, his interest in video games eclipsed his earlier obsession with bug collecting, and he would sometimes skip school just to play in the arcade.

With the mountains of knowledge and interest he had in video games, he started a simple magazine at age 17 with tips, strategies, and hacks he and his friends had discovered. He called it Game Freak. It started out as a few pages stapled together, but he eventually partnered with an artist named Ken Sugimori for custom illustrations for the magazine. Over time, Game Freak became a bigger and bigger publication, reaching over 10,000 readers at its peak. It was at this time that Tajiri realized there were better games that could be made. And he decided to transform Game Freak from a magazine about video games into a creation company itself.

Creating Pokémon

Tajiri loved his days collecting bugs and knew others would find it fun to collect and share things, too. And he knew that experience could create an amazing game. His idea was simple—a video game where players could collect and share different characters. He originally called it Capsule Monsters, inspired by a Japanese fad for toy monsters in small round capsules available at vending machines. But when he pitched the concept to Nintendo in the early 1990’s, they were skeptical. The project was too big, they thought, for a startup game company.

Only one person in the room liked the idea. He was Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Donkey Kong and one of Tajiri’s idols. With Miyamoto’s help, Tajiri began working on his project. During development, he took irregular shifts of a 24-hour period of work, following by 12 hours for sleep. His peers considered him eccentric, but they couldn’t deny his passion for the new game he was developing. Tajiri enlisted the help of Ken Sugimori, the artist from Game Freak, for character design and art. Pocket Monsters, renamed from Capsule Monsters due to copyright issues, was released in 1996 in Japan, and started being tremendously successful.

Up next was the U.S. audience, but copyright issues again stood in the way of the name. Instead, Pocket Monsterswas shortened to the term by which it’s known by today—Pokémon.

An international phenomenon

Over the course of the 2000s, Pokémon exploded in the US and around the world. Starting off as just a Game Boy toy, the franchise today includes playing cards, comics, apps, an animated TV series,and even a life-action film scheduled for release in May 2019. But while its fame has spread, its roots are still in the childhood adventures of Satoshi Tajiri, the creator.

In English, the main character is Ash, but in Japanese his name is Satoshi, named after Tajiri. Ash’s rival in the series is Gary, known in Japanese as Shigeru, an homage to Miyamoto, Tajiri’s mentor who first believed in the project. Through it all, Satoshi used his unique perspective to create a toy few could have imagined. With his autism, Satoshi spent his childhood in exploration, discovery, and collecting. He knew it would be fun for others to partake in the same excitement that brought his childhood alive.

And that viewpoint, which few in the game industry shared at the time, catapulted a simple idea into a multi-billion dollar franchise. “Everything I did as a kid is kind of rolled into one,” said Tajiri in an interview,“that’s what Pokémon is.”

The Best National Parks for Accessible Travel

Travel

Staff Writer

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October 19, 2018

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The Best National Parks for Accessible Travel

Wanting to see the wonders of the U.S.National Parks?

The awe-inspiring views, rich natural history, and beautiful escapes are the perfect places whether you’re looking for a quiet vacation, daring exploration, or simple day trip. But for those with disabilities, it can be a more complex picture. Many parks were designed before mandatory accessibility standards, meaning some of the older trails and landmarks aren’t easy to navigate—if at all.

But the National Park Service is making strides to make all parks more accessible, including the current five-year improvement plan effective from 2015-2020. Thankfully, there are plenty of National Parks with great accessibility. Here are the best ones across the country.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

While the Grand Canyon isn’t easily accessible to most people—including many able-bodied visitors—there are still a number of trails and areas designed to be accessible for everyone. Every park shuttle bus is wheelchair accessible, and you can also get a park Accessibility Permit, which allows access to some areas restricted to the general public. While there are no easy trails into the canyon, the South Rim Trail has sections that are paved and easily accessible.

Sequoia National Park, California

There are a large number of accessible campgrounds at Sequoia National Park, and many of the trails are accessible as well. One of the most famous is the General Sherman Tree Trail. It’s a short path, but finishes at General Sherman, the largest tree on earth. The entire trail is paved and easily accessible.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado

Wondering how to travel a dune in a wheelchair? The answer is specially-designed sand wheelchairs for adults and children that are available for loan at the park. These chairs have large inflatable wheels that make it easy to see the dunes.The park also boasts accessible campgrounds and picnic areas.

Everglades National Park, Florida

You might not picture the Everglades as easily accessible, but in fact this park is full of accessibility features. Tours offer assisted listening devices (ADLs) on request, many displays have audio explanations and braille, and trails include large print and interpretive signage. Visitor centers, as well as seven trails, are completely wheelchair accessible.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia is considered one of the most well-designed National Parks for accessibility, with a number of trails, visitor centers, museums, picnic areas, and ranger-led programs that are all perfect for wheelchair users. They also provide ASL interpreters with advance notice, and have ALDs, braille brochures, and audio tours available to those with vision or hearing impairments.

Glacier National Park, Montana

This beautiful national park is designed with accessibility in mind. You’ll find a number of wheelchair-accessible trails and facilities all around the park. They also have a number of hearing and vision options.

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park offers a huge number of accessible areas, including museums, visitor centers, trails, lodges, and picnic areas. Be sure to visit Pa’rus Trail, which is eight feet wide, paved, and has a minimal grade change.

Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

Perhaps the most famous National Park in the country doesn’t disappoint when it comes to accessibility.

You’ll find a large number of wheelchair-accessible paths and facilities across the park. Video presentations are captioned and others include assistive listening. Audio descriptions are available for many of the park’s landmarks, and large print and braille documents are available throughout the park. You can also acquire an “Access Pass,” a lifetime discount and pass available to those with permanent disabilities.

Across the country, there are plenty of U.S. National Parks with great accessibility. And as the National Park service continues to expand their openness to those with disabilities, more trails and vistas are available every year. In fact, check out the Access Pass.

If you want to experience the history, majesty, and beauty of nature across the U.S., these parks are the perfect places to explore.

The Healing Power of Therapy Pets

Health

Lisa Beach

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October 12, 2018

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Talk about making the most of second chances. Two years ago, Maddie, a yellow Labrador, was an abused dog left on the side of the road with her 10 puppies. Taken to Canine Soulmates, an animal foster group, four-year-old Maddie got a second chance when she adopted her handler Jane Nolan in March 2014.

Rather than just living the good life in her new home, Maddie used this second chance to help others. Maddie and Jane work together as a therapy dog team through Pet Partners, a national leader in animal-assisted therapy based in Bellevue, WA.

“I saw that Maddie had a really good temperament and a very kind heart,” explains Jane. “You can’t always find dogs that are mellow, sweet and approachable.”

Dr. Brian Benjamin of Ohio Drive Animal Hospital in Plano, TX, agrees that a good temperament is key for a therapy animal. He points out that adequate training can bring out the most effective results. “A therapy animal shouldn’t have any trust issues,” says Dr. Benjamin. “Plus, you can provide behavioral training so the animal will be patient, not afraid of loud noises, and not aggressive.”

To get her “working papers,” Maddie got evaluated and trained through A New Leash on Life, one of dozens community partners affiliated with Pet Partners. After a physical, behavior evaluation and six months of training in obedience, socialization, and manners, Maddie got the green light.

Therapy Animals Work Wonders

Together, Maddie and Jane visit area hospitals, retirement homes, and other facilities where the healing power of animal-human interaction works wonders. “We just help give a little bit of normalcy to the day and help them feel better,” says Jane, citing how patients’ days are filled with tests, medication, needles, therapies, and exams.

Therapy pets also ease grief, stress and loneliness, which is why Flora Ellias, Dr. Benjamin’s receptionist, takes her three-year-old Irish Wolfhound Sheldon to visit hospice patients. “You can easily see the connection that people have with the dogs,” says Flora, who’s been taking Sheldon on hospice visits three times a month for the past two years. “Some patients are nonverbal until the dogs visit, and then they start talking. Rehab patients with mobility issues will pet and brush the dogs. Even Alzheimer’s patients sometimes recall a pet they had from childhood.”

Dr. Benjamin understands the therapeutic effects that animals can have on people. “There have been studies done that show the simple process of petting a dog or hearing a cat purr can release endorphins that benefit a person’s state of mind.” Jane has witnessed this first hand.

“One five-year-old boy in oncology had lost his sight and was feeling nauseous,” recalled Jane on a past visit to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. “He was petting Maddie, trying to figure out what she looks like. I said, ‘Do you trust me and Maddie?’ He said, ‘Sure.’ And I said, ‘We’re going to play a game. You’re going to touch her and tell me what part you’re touching.’ After he figured out he was touching Maddie’s head, he said it felt like her heart because she’s so soft, and I thought that was so intuitive of him. It made him calm down and be more relaxed. It was a special moment.”

Think being a therapy animals is just for dogs? Think again. A variety of animals have the potential to serve as therapy animals, including cats, pigs, ponies, birds, guinea pigs and rabbits. To get involved, donate or find a local affiliate, contact Pet Partners, 875 124th Ave NE, Suite 101, Bellevue, WA 98005, 425-679-5500, https://petpartners.org/.

Looking for a Well-Trained, Grateful Pet? Adopt a Senior!

Lifestyle

Lisa Beach

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October 12, 2018

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Looking for a Well-Trained, Grateful Pet? Adopt a Senior!

Thinking about adopting a cat or dog from your local animal shelter? While you might be drawn to cuddly kitties and adorable puppies, they require a lot of work. From potty-training and socializing to dealing with their high energy and teething phase, it’s like bringing home a newborn.

The solution? Adopt a senior pet, roughly defined as age seven or older. With an estimated 1.5 million shelter animals euthanized each year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, older cats and dogs often top the list of high-risk shelter populations. Animals that are sick and/or old are the first to be put-down.

Why adopt a senior pet?

For starters, they’re already house-trained, which means good-bye potty-training phase and the messy accidents that come with it. No need to worry about dogs chewing on furniture either—the teething phase is long gone. Plus, because they’re already socialized, older pets might be a good fit for families with kids and/or other pets. Another bonus? “What you see is what you get” in terms of a pet’s size, personality, and behavior. No more wondering, “How big will my dog be when he’s fully grown?” Finally, when you adopt a senior pet, he comes with a known health history—giving you a heads-up on what to expect in the future.

Elizabeth Berliner, director of shelter medicine at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, points out that just because an animal is older doesn’t necessarily mean he has health issues. On the flip side, Berliner says, “I’m amazed how many families will adopt senior pets in spite of medical conditions. They make it their mission to rescue these animals.”

While many older pets are healthy, some might have illnesses or diseases that require medicine, special diets, or other accommodations, says Lisa Lunghofer, executive director of The Grey Muzzle Organization, a nonprofit that focuses on improving the lives of at-risk senior dogs. For example, if an older animal struggles with mobility issues, you might need to add a ramp, so he can easily maneuver up and down stairs.

Picking a pet

Okay, you’re convinced—adopting a senior pet is the way to go. But how do you pick the perfect older cat or dog for your family? Like adopting any new furry family member, you’ve got to match up your family’s preferences and lifestyle with the prospective pet’s behavior, needs, and personality.

Laura Coffey, dog-lover and author of My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts, offers another good idea. Talk with the shelter volunteers who have an up-close-and-personal understanding of an animal’s quirks, social skills, health issues, and any special needs. They might know, for instance, that a certain cat prefers to spend a lot of quiet time alone, perhaps making him a bad fit for a large family with rambunctious kids.

Coffey calls older dogs “the most grateful dogs on Earth.” Why? Because often, they’ve gone through some major life upheaval through no fault of their own, such as a family that had to move and couldn’t take their pet with them or an older owner who has died, leaving the pet without a home. “These dogs end up in a shelter where it’s loud, chaotic, disorienting, and they don’t know why they’re there,” points out Coffey. “To bring a dog home is like rescuing them from doggie jail. They blossom once they get out of that scary setting. It’s so meaningful to see how happy and relieved they are.”

And the gratitude goes both ways. You just can’t beat the warm-fuzzies knowing you took in a pet that ran out of options and showered him with love during his golden years.

Thinking of adopting a senior pet? Contact your local animal shelter or rescue organization, or check out these resources:

· Abandoned Animal Rescue (Texas), www.aartomball.org

· The Grey Muzzle Organization (funds and provides info on U.S. senior dog programs), greymuzzle.org

· Muttville Senior Dog Rescue (California), www.muttville.org

· Fairy Tail Endings (Florida), www.fairytailendings.org

· Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary (Arizona), http://www.foreverlovedpets.org

· Senior Animals in Need Today Society (Canada), www.saintsrescue.ca

· Senior Dogs Project (clearinghouse ofinformation to help older dogs), srdogs.com

· Susie’s Senior Dogs (facilitatessenior-dog adoptions across the U.S.), www.susiesseniordogs.com

· Young at Heart Pet Rescue (Illinois), www.adoptaseniorpet.com

Temporary Ramps to the Rescue: Storefronts Made Accessible Thanks to StopGap Foundation

Tiffiny Carlson

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October 5, 2018

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Temporary Ramps to the Rescue: Storefronts Made Accessible Thanks to StopGap Foundation

“Did you know that the electric toothbrush was originally designed for someone with limited use of their hands? When we design something for someone with a disability, everyone benefits,” says Luke Anderson, a C5-6 quadriplegic from Toronto. He’s also a civil engineer and the co-founder of the StopGap Foundation, a non-profit bringing accessibility to the world.

When you have an engineering background, your brain tends to work a certain way and this was certainly the case for Luke. Growing up, Luke was athletic, and he fell in love with mountain biking in his teens. “I moved to the interior of British Columbia because it’s known as the best place in the country to mountain bike.”

But in October 2002 at the age of 25, Luke’s world changed. “I was riding with a really good friend of mine on a trail that involved jumping a big 25 foot wide gap. It was on that ride when I tried jumping the gap after watching my friend Johnny successfully doing it. I came up short, flew over the handlebars and landed head first breaking two vertebrae in my upper spine.”

Although the injury was difficult, he went on to graduate from the University of Waterloo. In 2007, he began his career working as an engineer, working for a large firm in Toronto.While working for this firm for several years, there was a temporary ramp situation, which made it impossible for him to get into his job or leave independently. “The ramp worked but it was definitely not ideal because it meant that I needed to rely on someone to help set up the ramp.”

After seeing a viral campaign about bicycle awareness in his city that began by painting bicycles bright colors, he wanted to do the same to wheelchair ramps. “In October 2011, myself and some friends pulled together a bunch of volunteers and some building materials and we built 13 bright red, green, blue, and yellow deployable access ramps for businesses in Toronto’s Junction neighborhood. The goal was to raise awareness about physical barriers that prevent many people from becoming fully engaged in their communities.”

These thirteen ramps have changed the world. Within two years, interest in their initiative exploded and they became a registered Canadian charity. “Our ramps are temporary and are to be used upon request. As such, they do not need to adhere to building codes. Business owners take on the responsibility and any risk associated with using the ramp, they sign a waiver agreeing to use it on a request basis.”

The ramps have a 1:6 rise to run ratio, they have textured, slip resistant paint and they have rope candles. To acquire a StopGap ramp for your business, you can do so through their Ramps on Request program, or by participating in their Community Ramp Project. Ramps cost between $300 – $600 depending on the height of the step.

If you’d like to purchase a ramp, you can contact the StopGap Foundation at buyaramp@stopgap.ca.For more information visit: Stopgap.ca

3 Surprising Ways Pets Benefit Your Kids

Lifestyle

Lisa Beach

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October 3, 2018

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3 Surprising Ways Pets Benefit Your Kids

It’s 6 a.m. and you hear your baby whimpering. He’s probably hungry, but you just want to sleep a little longer. Nevertheless, like any good parent, you get out of bed to feed him. But you’re not feeding your infant son. You’re feeding Rocky, your beloved golden retriever who is such an integral part of your family that you’re willing to get up at the crack of dawn for him. Why do you care so much? And what does this special bond mean to your family?

As you incorporate a pet into your family’s daily rhythm, he quickly wiggles his way into your hearts. He flashes his “I’ll-miss-you” puppy dog eyes whenever you leave the house and greets you at the door when you come home. He wags his tail when you talk to him and curls up next to your kids, giving them a built-in snuggle buddy. In turn, your family celebrates his birthday, takes selfies with him, plays with him and takes him on vacation. It’s a two-way love-fest.

“When I’m watching TV, Shadow sits on my chest and rubs his head against me,” explains Kevin, the “parent” of a 25 lb. cat. “He’s so heavy that it’s a little hard to breathe. Even though I’m gasping for air after a few minutes, I love his affection.”

Veterinarian Dr. Brian Benjamin understands the special bond. “We have clients who celebrate Christmas and hang a stocking on the fireplace with their pet’s name just like a kid in the family,” says Dr. Benjamin.

3 Surprising Ways Pets Benefit Your Kids

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, growing up with a pet can usher in a host of benefits.

1. They learn how to be responsible. “In many ways, the pet becomes like a child because it depends on its owner for food, water, bathing and a clean, healthy environment,” says Dr. Benjamin. “And the child becomes like a parent because he takes on the responsibility of helping to care for the pet.”

2. They learn big-picture lessons about the circle of life, from birth and illnesses to accidents and death. “Loss of a pet is always difficult,”explains Dr. Benjamin. “This can be the first time a child experiences the loss of a loved one. It can lay the groundwork and set the stage for what it means to lose a family member.”

3. They often confide in their pets, treating them like a trusted confidant. Pets listen with no judgment, which helps kids share their feelings. And pets cuddle and provide comfort, which helps kids develop compassion and non-verbal communication skills. “I have a son who has special needs,” points out Dr.Benjamin, “ and he sometimes relates to pets in the house more easily than he relates to people.”

It’s not just the kids who benefit from pet-ownership. Parents can get in on the tail-wagging benefits, too.

“People who share their houses with pets can have less overall stress because the pets act as a comforting factor,” says Dr. Benjamin. “Studies have shown that petting a purring cat can reduce heart rate and stress level.” This might just make up for all those mornings when you sacrifice extra shut-eye to get up and feed your “baby.”

Looking for a great place to adopt a pet? Start with local organizations in your community. Or tap the searchable online resources that can filter results by your location and type of animal you want to adopt.

· Local animal shelters

· Local animal rescue groups

· https://www.petfinder.com/

· http://www.rescueme.org/

· https://theshelterpetproject.org/

Understanding Your Voting Rights as a Person with a Disability

Professional

Staff Writer

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September 28, 2018

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Understanding Your Voting Rights as a Person with a Disability

The disability community is a powerful voting block. During the 2016 election, according to Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, voters with disabilities comprised approximately one sixth (16.67%) of eligible voters, totaling 35.4 million people. But of this number, only 16 million people voted. Over the years, the United States government has recognized the power of this massive community. They have even implemented several laws to ensure that they can exercise their right to vote.

Disability Voting Rights Laws

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination based on disability. It also ensures that disabled individuals have access to polling places and the ability to register as voters and cast ballots. The ADA also requires that “public entities ensure that people with disabilities can access and use all of their voting facilities.”

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was signed into law. This required election officials to enable people with disabilities to vote and receive assistance from a person of the voter’s choice. It also prohibited denying citizens the right to vote based on the individual’s educational attainment, ability to read and write, or pass a test.

In 1984, the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA) required accessible polling places for elderly persons and people with disabilities during federal elections. If there was no appropriate location available, voters must be able to access an alternative means of voting. Despite the laws that enabled people with disabilities to exercise their rights, low voter turnouts remained. Therefore, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 was implemented. It required all offices that provide public assistance or state-funded programs to serve people with disabilities, so they could vote during federal elections.

The latest voting-related law implemented for people with disabilities was the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). Here, jurisdictions must provide at least one accessible voting system for persons with disabilities. They must also be able to access these areas and get the privacy and independence which all voters obtain.

Effectiveness of Voting Rights Laws

But despite the implementation of various voting rights laws, not all polling places can accommodate persons with physical disabilities. In fact, a study by the Government Accountability Office found that roughly two-thirds of polling places have at least one error in accessibility. Some areas have no ramps, elevators, or entrances for the disabled. In other cases, poll workers are inexperienced and have no idea how to set up accessible polling machines.

Mental Illness and Intellectual Disabilities

Although everyone has the right to vote, some states limit the rights of individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. A report by The Atlantic said that, “30 states in the District of Columbia have laws in their constitutions that can limit people with mental disabilities from voting if they have been ruled ‘mentally incapacitated,’ or incompetent, by a court.”

Washington D.C. even allows judges to strip voting rights from individuals—from Down syndrome to schizophrenia—because they may be “incompetent,” even if there is no defined standard for measuring a person’s mental capacity to vote.

Are These Limitations Fair?

Pamela Karlan, the co-director of the Supreme Court Litigation Clinic at the Stanford University Law School, told The Pew Charitable Trusts, “Some people’s cognitive abilities are so impaired, they shouldn’t vote. They have no idea what’s going on.” Fear of voter fraud is a primary reason why some states have placed voting qualifications for people with cognitive, developmental, or social disabilities. A report by Pew confirmed that thousands lose their voting rights during guardian proceedings.

But in cases of voter fraud, it’s the caretaker or family member that has committed the crime. “We don’t strip someone of their rights in the name of protecting their rights,” said Michelle Bishop, an advocacy specialist at the National Disability Rights Network based in Washington. “They are literally the last people in the U.S. who can get their right to vote stripped because of their identity. Having a disability does not mean you are not competent to vote.”

While there are some cases where persons with disabilities are unable to vote, there are also many cases wherein individuals with a disability can vote but struggle to do so. Therefore, upholding equal rights in the voting area must be a priority in every state.

Creating Clothing for Functionality and Style

Emily McDeed

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September 6, 2018

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Creating Clothing for Functionality and Style

For most, putting on clothes is one of the many monotonous, five-minute activities done to start the day. But for those with disabilities, mainstream clothing can be a challenge to overcome each morning. Someone with paralysis may not be able to dress independently depending on their needs, while others may simply need help swinging a jacket sleeve across their back from limited mobility. While the simple solution may be to ask for help, the long-term solution for the disabled community would be to create clothing that works with their abilities rather than the person learning to work around the clothing. A team of dedicated individuals provides this solution through Open Style Lab (OSL).

OSL originally started in 2014 as a service project at MIT. Executive director Grace Jun joined the organization in 2015 and moved it to New York the following year. Here, they offer services through a collab course at Parson’s School of Design, including a theme-based Summer Program. For each semester, students from engineering and design disciplines at Parson’s work together in teams to address their their clients’ specific needs, whether that’s making a garment that regulates temperature, has flexible fabric for limited range of motion, or anything else that mainstream clothing doesn’t address. The team then creates the garment through their set of in-house and mainstream tools, such as 3D printers, interactive computer chips, and sewing machines. As everyone goes through the process, clients not only feel more comfortable with expressing their needs but also gain confidence as they help develop a finished garment that’s functional and stylish.

The Summer Program has fellows from different occupations work with their clients to create garments rather than merely consult with them as they do during the school year. Instead, OSL assembles a team of designers, engineers and Physical and Orthopedic therapists to design clothing for clients that match a chosen theme, such as this year’s Aging, Mobility and Care. Once clients are selected, each team works on clothing solutions with design experts, learns about different types of assistive technology and fashion design, and develops a business plan that enables them to bring their designs to the public. Each team also receives a stipend for their client’s project. They then present their final garments at a show in August and talk about their unique features for the disabled user if they choose to participate.

But OSL does more than create clothing. They also raise awareness about adaptive clothing for the fashion industry through trade shows, the press, and events, such as OSL’s discussion panel at Yabu Pushelberg Studios. During the panel, Grace Jun and four other professionals discussed their experiences working with marginalized communities and strategies to make businesses more inclusive. For OSL specifically, this means not only researching changing trends in adaptive clothing but learning to work with each of their clients’ abilities and situations while creating clothing. As passionate as team members are to work with disabled individuals, many have their first experience interacting with them day-by-day through the program and are amazed at how their perceptions change. As Kieran Kern said in our interview, “they realize [the disabled individual] isn’t just a set of symptoms. They’re a person. They have wants, needs, goals, [and] desires” like any human being. Thus, the team is transformed as they work with the client, and the client feels exhilarated from being themselves since their limitations aren’t seen as a problem but as something to work with—including the thrill of designing a garment that reflects their personality.

With “style” in their name, Open Style Lab takes style very seriously as they design clothing with clients to ensure they’re representing themselves. To learn more, visit their website, follow them on social media, or email them at hello@openstylelab.org.

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Photos courtesy of Open Style Lab

Seeking Employment? A Disability Recruitment Company May Help

Professional

Nancy DeVault

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August 22, 2018

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Seeking Employment? A Disability Recruitment Company May Help

Pittsburg resident Joyce Bender established her career as an executive search professional. Eventually, following a health scare and disability diagnosis, she found her niche within the field: disability employee recruitment.

Bender tells AmeriDisabiliy Services that, in her 20s, her family physician misdiagnosed, or rather dismissed, her fainting spells. On a life-changing evening in 1985, while at a movie theatre with her husband, she had a seizure. “I hit the floor so hard that I fractured my skull and had an intracranial brain hemorrhage, dislodged bones in right inner ear (which is why I also have 70 percent hearing loss on right side) and was rushed to the hospital for life-saving brain surgery,” Bender recalls. She was diagnosed with epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological disorder which causes unpredictable seizures, and she began an appropriate medication regime.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 65 million people around the world have epilepsy, including 3.4 million in the United States alone. That means more people live with epilepsy than with autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy combined. “1-in-26 people in the U.S. will develop epilepsy in their lifetime,” Bender states, adding, “The problem is that it’s frequently misdiagnosed by general practitioners.” Perhaps that’s because epilepsy includes a wide range of seizure types, some of which have milder characters ─ as with absence seizures where a person displays rapid blinking or stares off for a few seconds, versus tonic-clonic seizures (also called grand mal seizures) which can result in loss of consciousness and muscle spasms. Consequently, Bender encourages people to seek second opinions when needed and, ideally with a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy.

Following her self-described miraculous recovery, Bender returned to work and also started volunteering with various disability-focused programs. She says she quickly recognized that “stigma is the reason people with disabilities are not getting hired” and, so, she shifted her skills toward the disability community. In 1995, she founded Bender Consulting Services, Inc., a for-profit company specializing in the “recruitment, hiring and workplace mentoring of individuals with disabilities, disability employment strategy and training and accessible technology solutions.” Bender says the business took off thanks to one of her existing clients, Highmark, a health insurance company, that agreed to partner by working with talented individuals with disabilities. Today, many other public and private sector employers across the country align with Bender Consulting ─ such as Bayer Corporation, Cigna, PNC Financial Services and even federal agencies ─to place qualified individuals with disabilities in fields like information technology, finance/accounting, engineering, human resources, mathematics, biology and so on.

Bender Consulting works on behalf of corporations/agencies rather than directly for the job seeker. Yet, that equates to two very important things: (1) Bender Consulting is able to connect qualified employees with companies that specifically want to improve disability recruitment initiatives and hire individuals with disabilities; and (2) service fees are absorbed by the hiring companies and, therefore, of no cost to job seekers. Bender’s efforts have been highly regarded worldwide. In 1999, President Bill Clinton awarded Bender with the President’s Award, America’s highest honor for achievement in furthering the employment and empowerment of people with disabilities.

“You cannot live the ‘American Dream’ until you have employment. I get frustrated when I hear people questioning where to find talent. People with disabilities are an untapped labor pool. I want to remind employers that,” Bender declares. Aside from striving to increase employment opportunities, Bender Consulting, in partnership with No Barriers Media, launched iDisability, training software that “educates organizations and ensures employees have the foundations required to: effectively communicate with, interview, hire, accommodate and engage people with disabilities in the workforce; build and implement an effective and measurable strategic approach to disability inclusion across the enterprise; and remain abreast of emerging and evolving strategies for disability inclusion and engagement.”

Bender Consulting Services has created employment opportunities for over 1,000 individuals, of which about 20 percent are disabled veterans. To explore job openings, submit a resume or connect with a Bender Consulting team member, visit BenderConsult.com. You can also connect with Ms. Bender on her weekly radio program, Disability Matters, available online on the VoiceAmericaChannel every Tuesday from 2-3 pm EST.

Diabetes: A Health Epidemic Affecting Half of the Nation’s Population

Health

Nancy DeVault

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August 20, 2018

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Diabetes: A Health Epidemic Affecting Half of the Nation’s Population

Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes – half! The statistics are alarming: Over 30 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes and another 84.1 million American adults have prediabetes. Yet, many people still don’t understand the risk and warning signs. Diabetes, as defined by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin. Diabetes can also impact one’s eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other organs. That’s why the ADA is on a mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of those affected.

It’s a Science

ADA reports that, since 1952, its invested $807.4 million in more than 4,700 research projects that have helped change the face of how diabetes is treated. Nicole Donelson, ADA’s Executive Director (Florida) tells AmeriDisability Services that the association’s commitment to financing researchers, a program called Pathway to Stop Diabetes, is critical as other funding agencies, like National Institutes of Health, allocate more funding to other diseases that, while important, are far less widespread compared to diabetes. In recent years, ADA scientists have, for example, analyzed how coffee drinkers have a slightly reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease and Type 2 diabetes; how high glucose levels cause blood vessels in the eye to multiply abnormally and, thus, leads to blindness; and how diabetics who are depressed have poorer outcomes than diabetics who are not depressed.

In 2017 alone, the ADA made more than $37.4 million available for research, supporting 371 research projects performed by 341 investigators at 140 leading academic research institutions across the U.S. And, each year, upwards of 16,000 physicians, scientists and healthcare professionals gather for the ADA’s Scientific Sessions, a conference devoted to innovative discoveries. The most recent event, held in June 2018 in Orlando, showcased 2,800 original presentations. One new study, which caught the attention of expectant parents and beyond, revealed that maternal diabetes may increase risk of autism in children. However, even with this elevated risk, the likelihood remained small and, therefore, the study did not suggest that diabetic pregnancy was unsafe.

Regarding disease management, new research proposed that adults with Type 1 who added the drug Victoza (liraglutide) produced better glucose control and increased weight loss. Another study found that those with Type 1 who used the Omnipod hybrid closed-loop system (the HorizonTM Automated Glucose Control System) “experienced significantly less hypoglycemia, more time in the target glucose range and better overnight glycemic control compared to their usual care.” And, since we live in a digital world, presenters advised that mobile apps are evolving to function as “personal diabetes assistants,” with abilities to analyze data and provide personalized pattern recognition and insulin-dosing decision support.

The High Cost

While findings concerning medical advancements are exciting, another study presented at Scientific Sessions was disappointing, revealing that some diabetics who require insulin are, sadly, unable to pay for adequate supplies. Dr. Jane Reusch, ADA’s President of Medicine and Science, bluntly stated, “Insulin affordability threatens lives and takes lives. It’s crucial that the ADA, as part of its mission, keeps insulin affordability in the spotlight.” Diagnosed diabetes costs the U.S. $245 billion each year and insulin prices have risen significantly – nearly tripling in cost between 2002 and 2013.

To address the issue, in November 2016, the ADA launched its Make Insulin Affordable initiative, formally declaring that people with diabetes shouldn’t have to cut back on or skip doses of insulin – or, conversely, forgo other necessities to pay for insulin. The effort, according to an ADA press release, includes a petition that calls for all entities in the supply chain to provide transparency, and to ensure that all people who use insulin have affordable access to the medication. It also asks Congress to hold hearings to identify the reasons for the dramatic increases in insulin prices. Since the campaign launch, advocates have held more than 400 Congressional meetings and collected more than 800 patient, caregiver and provider stories regarding access to affordable insulin. If you are impacted by this issue (or simply care about the cause), don’t hesitant to voice your opinion too.

Resources

While advocating for diabetes research and healthcare improvements are high organizational priorities, ADA remains equally focused on helping individuals with diabetes live life to the fullest. Visit Diabetes.org to explore various programs and resources, from dietary to health insurance tips and everything in between. Plus, mark your calendar for local upcoming events, such as the Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes and Tour de Cure.

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