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

Health

Nancy DeVault

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August 20, 2018

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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Secondhand Purchases Afford First (or Second) Employment Opportunities

Professional

Nancy DeVault

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August 8, 2018

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Secondhand Purchases Afford First (or Second) Employment Opportunities

Consumers recognize Goodwill as a trusted secondhand store. In fact, in 2017 alone, Goodwill received more than 105 million material donations. However, many are unaware of the impact made by giving to and/or shopping at the company’s 3,300 retail stores and online auction (ShopGoodwill.com). Since its founding in 1902, Goodwill has operated with the philosophy of “not charity but a chance,” specifically focused on influencing the workforce. Thanks to a federated network of 161 autonomous organizations, Goodwill is actually in the business of changing lives through job training, employment placement, career counseling, financial education and other related services. And, yes, that’s all attained as a result of contributions of used clothing and household items.

Each Goodwill organization is an independent nonprofit that activates according to local need. “The thing that unites the network, and is the core of what it means to be Goodwill, is a belief in the power of work,” says Brad Turner-Little, Senior Director of Mission Strategy and Workforce Development for Goodwill Industries International. “It enables people to be able to contribute to their communities, provide for themselves and their families and builds dignity at the individual level.”

How? Well, first, someone donates clothes (or other articles) which, as Turner-Little explains, allows Goodwill to serve as an environmentally-sustainable solution “by keeping over three billion pounds of stuff out of landfills on an annual basis.” Second, another person is granted a job to sort and sell bequeathed merchandise. Third, customers access and purchase affordable items. Forth, as noted in a company report, more than 87 percent of collective revenue from the sale of donated goods support and grow education and career services and other critical community-based programs.

In 2017, these career service programs granted 24,616 people employment at Goodwill, plus anadditional 110,505 people found opportunities at partnering companies in fields such as information technology, health care, automotive services, construction, hospitality, manufacturing, retail and so on. “Our local Goodwill’s often work in partnership with community colleges but, for somebody that might not have been very successful in a traditional learning environment and particularly someone that has been out of a learning environment for some time, Goodwill’s can provide an easier pathway into competency building to obtain the right skills and credentials,” Turner-Little describes, adding: “Because of our decades of experience helping people access and stay in jobs, we know how to help people build contingency plans and offer support services to mitigate anything that could hamper their success.”

Turner-Little says job training and placement approaches are individually customized to maximize opportunities for employment success. That’s been especially beneficial for people with disabilities, veterans and military families and job seekers with other unique circumstances. In fact, Goodwill reported to AmeriDisability Services that 23 percent of its employee population has a disability. For example: Sarah Pine, a single mother of three children who has a learning disability and is a recovering addict, enrolled in Goodwill’s Transitional Employment Opportunity and now works as assistant manager at the Springdale, Arkansas Goodwill store. And Steven Ikehara, a Honolulu, Hawaii resident who suffered a stroke, participated in Goodwill’s AbilityOne Program and works at the Corrosion Repair Facility on the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. Likewise, Michael Stucke of Rockford, Illinois, who has autism, enrolled in Goodwill’s Supported Employment Program and landed a job at Wal-Mart.

“We have been a part of advocating for people with disabilities officially since the 1930s, and that commitment today is as strong as it’s ever been,” declares Turner-Little. For more information on donation sites, retail stores and job training services, visit Goodwill.org or call 1 (800) GOODWILL.

eAerie Undergarment Line Uncovers the Untouched Beauty of “Real” Woment

Nancy DeVault

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July 26, 2018

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Most people would agree that it takes guts to be photographed dressed solely in underwear… especially without airbrushing. Well, that’s exactly how scantily-clad models are posed in a campaign for Aerie, the subsidiary undergarment line of American Eagle. “As a brand, Aerie has been a leader in empowering women and celebrating inclusivity and body positivity since our launch of #AerieREAL in 2014,” Jennifer Foyle, Aerie Global Brand President, shared in a statement to AmeriDisability Services. “Our newest bra models are part of our brand’s ongoing commitment to show real, authentic and unretouched women who are at the core of everything that we do.” This cast, which made their campaign debut in summer 2018, includes women with varying disabilities, chronic illnesses and physical attributes not typically featured in mainstream advertising.

To find these “real” representatives, the brand turned to social media and asked its community to share personal videos explaining why they wanted to be a part of #AerieREAL. Close to 2,000 women responded, according to marketing agent Matthew Owens. He explained that, “The women chosen for this campaign represent the inclusive beauty that makes up the DNA of the brand, which is committed to empowering all customers to embrace and love their real selves.”

“I sent them a video saying how, as someone who’s never seen disability or chronic illness represented in media, #AerieREAL should mean that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and abilities,” 20-year-old Abby Sams said in a HuffPost article. No stranger to video confessions, Sams shared via her YouTube channel that she experienced unexplained pain for years before finally being diagnosed with a chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder and a connective tissue disorder. Landing the modeling gig was much easier to navigate! Posed in her wheelchair, Sams’ modeled a black lace bra. “I am PROUD to say I’ve done this. PROUD to be a part of it. PROUD to be a model representing a community of disabled and chronically ill people. PROUD to be comfortable in my own skin,” she wrote on her Instagram page. “Being a model in a wheelchair for a major company is kind of a big deal and I want to be transparent about it all. Confidence is hard to come by and even harder to master.”

Also for the campaign, Gaylyn Henderson donned a matching navy bra and boy-cut panty set along with her ostomy bag. She has Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder, and runs Gutless and Glamorous, an organization empowering people living with or contemplating ostomy surgery. Evelyn Ridell also wore a medical accessory: an insulin pump. The type 1 diabetic is photographed with her device clipped to a blue bra. Fellow #AerieREAL models include Jennifer Van Dusen, who describes herself as young and breastless after surviving breast cancer; Danielle Candray, who has alopecia, a hair loss condition; Lexus Morgan, who has vitiligo, a skin pigmentation condition; and Rajee Aerie (yes, Aerie is her last name and just coincidental to the brand), whose use of mobility crutches resulted from polio. And sports fans may recognize gymnast Chelsea Werner, who has Down syndrome, and is a four-time Special Olympics U.S. National Champion and two-time defending World Champion.

Founded in 2006, the Aerie brand is geared toward younger women (teenagers and twenty-somethings), a demographic that often struggles with body confidence –regardless of whether one has a disability. The #AerieREAL campaign hopes to represent and empower women of all types and the general public is responding. One customer (Danielle @ddmarriee) explained via Twitter: “They demonstrated a wonderful commit to diversity in their models and I hope that this is a theme throughout the entire company. Wow. This is beautiful.” And we at AmeriDisability Services agree!

Article photos courtesy of eAerie. Thumbnail photo: Rajee Aerie, Photo below left: Gaylyn Henderson, Photo below right: Danielle Candrey

Design for Disability Outfits Cerebral Palsy Foundation Models with Fashion Creators

Nancy DeVault

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July 25, 2018

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Design for Disability Outfits Cerebral Palsy Foundation Models with Fashion Creators

Richard Ellenson describes himself as a “typical advertising guy.” Well, typical isn’t exactly the most appropriate term as he’s credited with creating highly successful campaigns for brands such as American Express and HBO (penning the well-known tagline, “It’s Not TV. It’s HBO.”). And, generally speaking, he is an outstanding individual. Ellenson also defines himself as a loving father to his teenage daughter, Taite, and 20-year-old son,Thomas, who has cerebral palsy. His dad role motivated a career shift into assistive technology and, four years ago, he became CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF), an organization transforming lives through research, innovation and collaboration. Cerebral Palsy is a physical disability that affects movement and posture, according to CPF. Globally, over 17 million people have cerebral palsy.

Thomas is a smart, funny and talented theatre actor and critic who operates Theateriffic.net. He uses a motorized wheelchair, a communication device and struggles to find stylish clothes that fit his needs. That’s because, according to Ellenson, Thomas (and others with cerebral palsy) occasionally drools and, therefore, has to wear unflattering bandanas or change his shirt frequently. Ellenson decided to explore options for function fashion. “I wanted to do something to show that fashion informs how we think about everybody and it can be something that helps us think about people with disabilities,” he says, adding, “because the way we dress, the way we speak and so on reflects how people see us.” And, unfortunately for people with disabilities, appearances (including fashion) can fuel misconceptions.

In 2016, Richard linked up with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to engage upcoming designer students with the most under-represented group in fashion: models with disabilities. The project was named Design for Disabilities. “The goal was not necessary to bring out a collection but to mentor young designers so the language of inclusion and accessibility starts to filter through the top design schools in the country,” he says. Students worked hand-in-hand with models with disabilities – identified through CPF’s social platforms, partners and ambassadors – to learn about dressing and wardrobe challenges and, then, construct improvements. Models then hit the runway during CPF’s annual gala where garments were judged by famed designer Thom Browne and other industry experts.

In 2017, CPF partnered with renowned designer Derek Lam to mentor more students at FIT, Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute. According to The Cut, Lam expressed his desire to partake in the much-needed dialogue: “We are talking about very serious things like diversity and gender and empowerment — but I feel like the conversation never really comes up about a large segment of the population, which is those with disabilities.” The creation process (of athletic, casual and formal pieces) under his leadership was documented via six online videos featuring both designers and models. The videos garnered over 7 million views!

“For me to put on pants in a chair is just so hard. So, with the zipper on the side it was a lot easier, a lot more roomy and more convenient,” shared model Desiree Raymond, who has transverse myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord) and is working toward a Health Service Administration degree. She helped Parsons’ Claudia Poh realize her goal to identify existing problems and propose inclusive solutions. Model and filmmaker Andrew Pilkington, who has cerebral palsy, says FIT’s Indigo Choi used a stretchy material to outfit his needs. “I really like the design she came up with to make my pants a lot more flexible,” he says. FIT’s Kristi Thompson designed sportswear to combat chaffing that Minda Dentler, a wheelchair-using ironman triathlete, would get during lengthy competitions. And for Hilda Caba, who hadn’t worn a long gown since her spinal cord injury, Thompson cut an L-shaped dress that wouldn’t bunch around the waist while seated in a wheelchair. The videos helped viewers understand how and why accessibility was needed and achieved, such as through durable shirt cuffs (as not to fray from manual wheelchair use), stretchable and breathable materials, proper length and/or measurements and varying clasps.

Fashion designer Anna Sui served as the 2018 mentor and continued design achievements. However, Ellenson says Design for Disability may soon explore manufacturing and encourage companies to produce and sell accessible collections. “Manufacturing is a different issue but, this year, we are actually talking more about how we can create these outfits and bring them to the world,” he says, explaining that presently, “Our work is more looking at how you create fashion and also celebrate the disability.” That’s something he describes as “an interesting conversation because many people with disabilities want to blend in and others want to call attention to their disabilities.”

Design for Disability is representative of the broad range of CPF’s groundbreaking work. Key efforts for CPF include: The Early Detection Initiative (T.E.D.I), aimed at bringing down the detection age for developmental disability, thereby allowing earlier interventions of life-changing therapies; Just Say Hi, school inclusion program changing how we teach and include students with disabilities and other differences; high-profile collaborations with institutions, organizations, corporations and entertainment (like with the TV series Speechless); and Evolve21, a newly-released health and wellness mobile app. To access more information, visit YourCPF.org.

“Just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you can’t be fashionable,” says model Jessie Chin. And we at AmeriDisability Services agree! Head to our Facebook and Twitter pages to share how fashion could be more accessible for you.

Photos courtesy of Cerebral Palsy Association.

Angela Rockwood: A Beautiful Role Model

Nancy DeVault

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July 11, 2018

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Angela Rockwood had put her “bad path” teenage years behind her. By age 26, she was on a positive track – newly engaged to actor Dustin Nguyen, content with her spiritually and launching an L.A. based acting career with small roles in The Fast and the Furious and the television series V.I.P. Then, in 2001, her life dramatically shifted.

Following a wedding planning weekend, Angela and her two bridesmaids were driving back to Los Angeles from San Francisco. “I sat in the backseat and that little voice in my head told me to wear my seatbelt,” she recalls. However, eventually, she unbuckled to lean into the conversation. It was then that the car hit loose gravel on the mountainside road, spun out of control and flipped over the bank. “My head hit the back of the seat and compressed my C4/C5 vertebrae,” says Angela, who was ejected through the side-rear triangular window. She awoke to learn that her friend, actress Thuy Trang, best known for her role as the Yellow Ranger in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, tragically died in the crash. And doctors presented a diagnosis: Angela was paralyzed and given a 3-5% chance of regaining movement (odds she would later surpass).

Angela says she knew from a young age that if she could go out into the world and make a name for herself, she could possibly “be an example and make an impact.” But, waking up in the hospital was a defining moment regarding this vision. Angela says, “That little voice talked to me again and I instantly knew it was all for a reason. I survived.” She began rehabilitation and strived to positively motivate fellow patients; and also journaled about what she imagined for her future. “I knew that I could be a voice for so many and be a huge advocate because of the path I was about to embark on ─ being transported into the realm of the paralyzed,” she explains.

As part of her recovery, Angela opted for stem cell therapy which she credits with restoring sensation to several body parts and, thus, allowing her to operate a manual wheelchair, feed herself, apply make-up, practice upper body martial arts and more. Her renewed strength energized a commitment to charitable work and forged partnerships with disability organizations, including the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and GlobalMobility.

Soon thereafter, she eagerly returned to acting and modeling in hopes of combating stereotypes. “I’m all about putting the ability back in disability,” Angela describes. She proposed doing so with a “team of women warriors.” Following months of rejection from television networks, in 2012, SunDanceTV debuted Push Girls, a non-scripted reality series focused on the day-to-day trials and triumphs of Angela and her circle of ambitious, wheelchair-using gal pals. “We tried to share as much as we could about our world, and it wasn’t so much about the wheelchair,” she explains, adding, “I had no shame in putting the real back into reality!” That real included recording her daily care needs, like being bathed, catheterized and dressed by her nurse; and dialing modeling agencies with her tongue. The 5’9” beauty landed gigs with Maybelline, Nordstrom and Sony. “There are billions of people in the world with a disability and we’re consumers too. The fashion world would be ignorant if they didn’t tap into that,” she proclaims. “Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, color, race, age and in every vessel,” says the now 43-year-old Asian-American entertainer. “We have to be the change! If you want change, you have to actually do something about it.”

Push Girls aired for two seasons and won the Critics’ Choice Award in 2013. As she encountered professional milestones, she also entered new chapters within her personal life. Angela and Dustin divorced, though they remain friendly; and the self-described hopeless romantic found love again. Now, via her YouTube channel alongside “her man” Steven Profeta, she shares her perspective on relationships, sex and more. And, in Take a Look at This Heart, a documentary directed by Ben Duffy that explores romantic experiences of individuals living with disabilities, Angela shared more about her experience with love and personal relationships. She explains that she has four viewpoints from: 1) being able-bodied at one time and married; 2) being a quadriplegic and married; 3) being a quadriplegic and single in the dating world; and 4) being a quadriplegic and in a new relationship.

In regards to her recent roles, in addition to working on the Royal Flush Crew for the World Poker Tour on Fox Sports Network, Angela’s filming Pen Pals (directed by Marem Hassler), portraying Ottilia, a sensual and powerful female character. “People in wheelchairs aren’t thought of as sexual beings, even though we are. Being paralyzed doesn’t change that,” she declares.

Angela says she’s truly living the life she journaled about back in her hospital bed and is focused on leaving a positive mark. “Life is a gift and what we do with our life is our gift back to the world, to others and to ourselves,” she says, adding, “No matter what is going on in the person’s life, whatever catastrophic event you are going through, remember it is temporary and you can get through it. Remember who you are from the inside and do not lose that person. We all have the ability to make an impact!” Keep up with Angela via Instagram.com/therealAngelaRockwood.

Photo above credit: Michael Hansel

All other photos are courtesy of Angela Rockwood.

Dolls with Disabilities Play Up Uniqueness

Nancy DeVault

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July 5, 2018

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Dolls with Disabilities Play Up Uniqueness

Kids love playing with heroic toys, like firemen, astronauts and superheroes galore. While these characters certainly ignite imagination and joy, they can fail to showcase disabilities. All children should have access to toys that celebrate differences and, well, even resemble themselves. “Toys represent an important part of being a child. It’s something they can often identify with and fosters growth, helping to build self-confidence. When a character with a disability is part of the conversation, it leads to normalizing inclusion of diversity, better understanding and acceptance of all people in general,” suggests Nick Sabula, Public Affairs Specialist for the National Council on Disability. In recent years, some manufactures have introduced inclusive toys… but there’s plenty of room for improvement.

American Girl was among the first toy brands to integrate disabilities. “We’ve been creating products for girls in special circumstances since we introduced our wheelchair for dolls in 1996. We’ve had various stories and books that have included girls with disabilities and girls dealing with unique circumstances,” says Stephanie Spanos, Senior Public Relations Manager for American Girl. The company has since introduced items like crutches, hearing aids, leg braces, service dogs, a diabetes kit (with insulin pumps, pens, glucose tablets and blood sugar monitor) and allergy-free lunch sets, in addition to dolls without hair in honor for those battling with cancer.

For parents seeking look-a-like options that better align with their child’s uniqueness, independent toy makers offer solutions, such as Kayla Baker, owner of Little Plain Jane, an online store for customized, handmade dolls. “My 4-year-old daughter was the reason I first opened an Etsy shop and then started making dolls. She has autism and loves plush toys so, instead of buying her plastic baby dolls, I started making her plush dolls to snuggle,” Baker explains. One mother placed an order for a doll with a birthmark to resemble her daughter; Baker delivered. Soon after, similar requests flooded in and Baker found an unexpected niche. “I’ve created whatever moms have asked me to make and look forward to these opportunities,” she says. Baker has produced dolls with various birthmarks/hemangiomas, scars, eye patches, shortened and/or varied sized limbs and heterochromia (different colored eyes). Andrea Davis was thrilled to find Little Plain Jane and tailor a doll for her daughter, Bria. “We got the doll because we choose to give her laser treatments for her birthmark for medical reasons, and we want her to always remember what her mark looked like. Her birthmark is her, it makes her who she is, and we don’t want her or anyone else to forget that,” Davis explains.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, a cartoon celebrating how the positive power of friendship can help one combat life’s challenges, and its figurines inspire people of all ages, says Matthew Palumbo, a self-described ‘brony’ who has a degenerative eye disease. “Brony is a title for those who embrace the show that are out of the typical target demographic. It was because of the show – and fan animations –that I was able to cope with the fact that I was going to lose all of my eyesight and go totally blind,” he says, adding that it’s helped his son cope too. Palumbo says My Little Pony subtly embraces disabilities, as with Scootaloo, who has shorter wings and does not fly, and Muffins (also known as Ditzy Doo and Derpy Hooves), who is cross-eyed. In 2014, a character named Stellar Eclipse appeared in the Trade Ya! episode using a wheelchair-like cart. The pony was designed with the Make-A-Wish Foundation by Sylvain-Nicholas LeVasseur-Portelance, who has spinal muscular atrophy type III.

Palumbo also credits fans for creating characters with special needs. “Fans of all abilities like to write, do art, make music, etc. And I am someone in the arts and not being judged,” he says. For example, Snowdrop, a blind pony, is a fan-made animated short by Silly Filly Studios and written by Meredith Sims; however, it’s not officially associated with Hasbro, the manufacturer of My Little Pony. [The Hasbro website promotes “making play accessible,” including its involvement with The Autism Project, but the company did not respond to AmeriDisability Services’ inquiries.] “The disability isn’t made the core point of the story. You only hear that Snowdrop is blind once. It’s really about what a supportive mother can do for their child and that the disability is not defining,” Palumbo describes. He’s hosted “Coping with Disabilities through Pony” panels at BronyCon, an annual convention for My Little Pony fans. “I held four sessions at BronyCon to bring about how the show unites us all. It doesn’t matter if you are blind, deaf, on spectrum, etc.,” he says. “We’re brought together by the show because it gives us inspiration and makes us feel a part of a community. I share messages that relate to acceptance, understanding and empowerment.”

The fact that individuals, versus big companies, offer solutions is somewhat frustrating to many, like journalist and creative consultant Rebecca Atkinson. She noticed the inclusivity gap and, so, in 2015, she and other parents launched #ToyLikeMe to “call on the global toy industry to start representing the 150 million disabled children worldwide.” The campaign went viral reaching over 40,000 followers on Facebook. While #ToyLikeMe does not manufacture toys, they do “makeover” existing mainstream toys with “diff:abilities” which demonstrates how simple inclusion could be for toymakers. The website, ToyLikeMe.org, also shares a listing of “stereotype-busting toys,” like wheelchair-using figures by Lego and Playmobil. “Our biggest success to date is the creation of the Lottie Mia doll with a cochlear implant. This product carries our endorsement and we are very proud of her,” Atkinson says. In 2017, Lottie became the first toy brand to officially back the #ToyLikeMe campaign.

Other attempts have come and gone. Makies, a British toy company founded in 2012 which later applauded #ToyLikeMe, allowed kids to customize 3D-printed dolls, from personal traits (like hair types) to disability features and accessories (like birthmarks and a walking stick). In February 2017, Makies announced its closure on social media and, while reports speculated the company was acquired by Disney, the line has yet to re-launch. Mattel, perhaps the most popular doll creator, once produced Becky, a Barbie friend with a wheelchair. Sales were initially promising until consumers discovered the wheelchair didn’t fit into Barbie’s Dream House; sadly, Mattel discontinued the Becky doll. Sabula says, however, there have been inclusive improvements but more so in other entertainment mediums versus tangible toys. “If you look at many of today’s superhero and pop culture characters, especially from blockbuster movies, many of them have some form of disability. To name just a few: Professor Xavier of X-Men uses a wheelchair, Marvel’s Doctor Strange has impairments in his hands and, a few years ago, Sesame Street introduced Julia, representing a 4-year-old girl on the autism spectrum,” he says. One out of every five people has a disability in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thus, Sabula declares, “Consumer markets definitely exist for more products featuring characters with disabilities, but it’s up to the industry to assess and respond to such markets.”

Photo credits: Preview and photo above courtesy of American Doll

Experts Weigh In: Lessons on Self-Advocacy & Personalized Learning

Education

Staff Writer

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July 2, 2018

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Experts Weigh In: Lessons on Self-Advocacy & Personalized Learning

For the past year, we have been exploring how self-advocacy skills and self-determination play a role in personalized learning. Self-advocacy skills allow students to advocate and communicate their rights and needs. Having self-advocacy skills is one thing that can lead to self-determination: an individual being empowered to actively make choices about their education and their life.

For students with disabilities, there are substantial benefits to developing these essential skills and capacities. For example, research shows that even though students with disabilities may be less likely to act with self-determination, there are interventions that can help students develop these capacities and benefit from them at school, in the workplace and in their personal lives.

We recently brought together a panel of experts to discuss the importance of self-advocacy skills and self-determination in personalized learning. Some of the questions we grappled with included why we don’t see these skills at the forefront of new education reform efforts like personalized learning and what can we do about it. Here’s what the experts said:

‍We must overcome biases and assumptions about what students with disabilities can do. Despite what we know about students with disabilities and their incredible potential, some professionals still operate under the misconception that students with disabilities cannot learn or accomplish as much as their peers without disabilities. As a result, students with disabilities are not always empowered to make active choices about their learning and lives. Every reform effort must begin with conversations at the school or district level about what educators believe students are capable of. Do you believe all kids can learn? If the answer to that is “yes,” then your initiative must reflect that belief in how it is designed and implemented.

‍Small interactions can lead to big change. For many students, one adult can make all the difference. For Elijah, it was a teacher. For Will, it was his mom. But without that one adult who believed in and advocated for them, Elijah and Will might have had very different life experiences. But what can we do for students with disabilities who may not find that champion? We must, of course, equip students with the skills they need to be their own advocates. But we can also set up structures that help facilitate connections between coaches or mentors to students who are navigating the K-12system.

‍You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Too often when schools, districts, and states don’t need to start from square one when they begin a new education initiative. New initiatives can build from existing frameworks or past efforts. We can, for example, use research-based strategies like universal design for learning to make learning more accessible and engage more students, as a foundational part of any personalized learning effort. They don’t need to be separate efforts. Another example raised by panelist, Amanda Fitzgerald, is ASCA’s mindsets and behaviors for student success. If we have more counselors and educators taking these existing ideas seriously and incorporating them into their daily practices, we’d make up significant ground in implementing personalized learning approaches more inclusively.

Equity and inclusion are not automatic, but require thoughtful and intentional effort. As Joey Hunziker of CCSSO and others discussed, we can’t assume that any education reform strategy (like personalized learning) will address equity and inclusion without thoughtful effort on our part. If leaders have not been intentional and proactive in their efforts to build equity and inclusion into an educational initiative, opportunity gaps may very well widen, rather than close.

We hope you’ll take some time to watch this expert event and, if you missed it or want to see it again, you can watch it on Understood.org. Please join us and stay engaged in this essential conversation!

Provided by the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

Target Hits the Bulls-Eye with Sensory-Friendly Clothing

Nancy DeVault

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June 29, 2018

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Target Hits the Bulls-Eye with Sensory-Friendly Clothing

The first Target store opened in 1962 in Minneapolis and, in spite of rapid expansion, this retailer has maintained its objective to provide convenient, one-stop shopping with competitive or discounted price points. The chain has grown to include 1,829 stores in the U.S., ranking the brand among the top sellers nationwide. As part of their ‘corporate responsibility,’ the company has integrated diversity and inclusion into its culture to better serve both employees and customers.

Target has a wide range of merchandise ─ housewares, toys, groceries, etc. ─ but many patrons especially love to shop the big-box store’s on-trend appeal, which has boasted collaborations with Alexander McQueen, Isaac Mizrahi, Lilly Pulitzer and other well-known designers. Target’s marquee clothing brand for kids, Cat & Jack, has sought collaborative input directly from consumers (even youngsters)! Designer Stacey Monsen and her Target colleagues learned that uncomfortable tags, seams and appeal detail make dressing troublesome for those with sensory-processing sensitivities. Even before receiving such customer feedback, Monsen knew of this from personal experience. She shared in an internal interview last year that her 7-year-old daughter, Elinor, who has autism, was not potty-trained and, thus, she typically purchased functional, not fashionable, garments in a size up. In August 2017, Monsen spearheaded a limited sensory-friendly collection (available online from $4.50 to $7 per item).

“We first introduced sensory-friendly pieces within Cat & Jack that included three styles for girls (long-sleeve tee, short-sleeve tee and leggings) and two styles for boys (long-sleeve and short-sleeve tee). Since then, we have expanded to graphic tees, joggers, bodysuits, denim, jumpsuits, shorts, dresses, sweatshirts, swim, tanks and more,” says Target’s Corporate Public Relations Lead Danielle Schumann. “The fabric used in the sensory-friendly pieces is the same extra-soft, comfortable, durable cotton knits used throughout much of the Cat & Jack collection,” she says, but with adapted features to minimize discomfort by using heat-transferred labels in place of tags, flat seams and one-dimensional graphic tees that don’t interfere with a child’s skin.

In October 2017, Target expanded the line with additional adaptive apparel items featuring side and back snaps, zip closures, hidden openings for abdominal access and more. The 40-item assortment included outerwear with zip-off sleeves, footless sleepwear, diaper-friendly leggings and bodysuits and more. These garments are available at Target.com in sizes 2T-5T (Toddler) and XS-XXL (Big Kids) for $4.50 to $39.99. Target has also extended adaptive selections to women’s (Universal Thread and A New Day brands) and men’s (Goodfellow &Co), and is considering in-store availability.

In 2012, Target made in-store shopping more accessible by offering Caroline’s Cart, a buggy designed to help parents and/or caregivers shop with older children or adults who have special needs without having to simultaneously maneuver both a cart and wheelchair. When Drew Ann and David Long’s daughter, Caroline, who has Rett syndrome (a rare genetic condition that affects brain function), outgrow the standard shopping cart, they partnered with cart manufacturer Technibilt to empower retailers to better serve customers. Caroline’s Cart has a built-in seat that accommodates a person up to 250 pounds and faces the caregiver steering the cart. Aside from Target, Caroline’s Cart is available (at select locations) at Albertson’s, Best Buy, Kroger, Lowes, Publix, Sam’sClub and Wal-Mart, to name a few.

It was Target’s advertising efforts, however, that first clued consumers into the company’s dedication toward diversity and inclusion. In 2012, then 6-year-old Ryan Langston, who has Down syndrome, appeared in the brand’s advertisements and weekly flyers. At the time, Target was among the most of prominent retailers to feature a model with special needs; though, the company did not call attention to this inclusion or attempt to solicit self-serving press. Schumann explains, “We’ve included people with disabilities in our advertising for more than 25 years. We purposefully cast the models in our marketing to reflect the diversity that we see in our world everyday.” According to Schumann, Target’s “purpose is to help all families discover the joy of everyday life. This purpose and our core beliefs of diversity and inclusivity are reflected in our advertising and in our business overall. We believe diversity and inclusivity make teams and Target better!” As if shoppers needed yet another reason to love this store and go shopping…

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One Dad’s Vision for Daughter’s Artistic Eye Patch

Nancy DeVault

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June 22, 2018

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One Dad’s Vision for Daughter’s Artistic Eye Patch

Four-and-a-half year old Layla loves Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Unlike her preschool classmates, she doesn’t just showcase her affection for the cartoon mermaid (and other beloved characters) through clothing; she also wears a customized character-clad eye patch hand-drawn every day by her dad, Geof Grubb of Gurnee, Illinois.

Layla was born with a cataract in her right eye. The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines a congenital cataract as clouding of the lens of the eye (that’s present at birth). The lens is normally clear and focuses light that comes into the eye onto the retina. While cataracts are fairly common among the aging demographic, incidence is rare among children (affecting approximately 3-out-of-10,000) and it can hinder a child’s vision development.

When she was about nine months old, Layla began wearing a patch over her left eye to encourage vision-strengthen of her right eye. “On the first day, we put the Band-Aid like patch on her and it was just kind of sad and boring looking. So, the next day, I decided to draw something on the patch. At the time, it was more so for me because she was too young to know,” admits Geof, who initially drew inspiration from his own interests, like comic books, superheroes and video games.

The father of two has maintained the task of creating a unique patch everyday which, on average, takes about 30 minutes. “We’ve done about 1,200 different patches,” he says. In the beginning, to keep things interesting, Geof never repeated a design but, now years later, he typically sketches different variations of Layla’s favorite things per her request. “It started off making it more fun for me, and now it’s made it a lot more fun for her since she’s now in on it,”he says. Aside from Ariel, Layla also likes other Disney princesses, Bat Girl, flowers, animals and many other playful and whimsical kid stuff. Surprisingly, Geof doesn’t have an artistic background; he’s a chemical engineer turned supercreative stay-at-home-dad. And Layla isn’t his only fan! Geof has nearly 12,000 followers of Instagram (Layla’sPatches). But he says patch design is not a new career calling; rather, just a creative outlet and bonding opportunity to share with his daughter.

While some small pediatric cataracts can be medically-treated by eye drops, eyeglasses and patching therapy, doctors weren’t satisfied with Layla’s vision progression and, in February 2018, surgically removed her cataract. Still, Layla must wear an eye patch for about three hours per day, perhaps until she is 8 to 10 years old (when vision development is complete). She typically wears the patch at home, rather than at school, because Geof says that allows him more control ─ after all, she’s a young kid and, at times, just doesn’t want to wear the eye patch. However, he also alludes to gazes and inquiries from others. Geof says people rarely question why Layla wears an eye patch but, overall, it’s always nice when someone offers praise for her cool eye patch instead of just a stare. He suggests, “If you see someone with an eye patch, maybe say something really nice to them. It helps to compliment the child!” Because, after all, kindness helps and heals us all.

A Little Fashion Accessory Makes a Big Fashion Statement

Health

Nancy DeVault

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June 22, 2018

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A Little Fashion Accessory Makes a Big Fashion Statement

Sometimes a fashion statement isn’t just about being on-trend. Sometimes it’s about a lifesaving mission… as with Little Hats, Big Hearts, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association (AHA) and The Children’s Heart Foundation. The campaign aims to address the nation’s number one birth defect, congenital heart disease, which affects about 40,000 births per year in the U.S. CHD includes abnormalities in the heart’s structure, electrical system and other anomalies that affect the heart’s function.

Newborns first became hat-wearing fashionistas and fashionisters in 2014 in Chicago. “Volunteers harnessed the excitement of American Heart Month (February) and used their skills in knitting and crocheting to share the mission of the American Heart Association and The Children’s Heart Foundation with families welcoming new babies,” says AHA’s Communications Manager Alexson Calahan, adding, “The hats help educate families about heart health, and raise awareness about the prevalence of CHDs and other heart disease.” Little Hats, Big Hearts has since grown to include 1,000 hospitals in 41 states. In 2018 alone, more than 240,000 hats were distributed, most of which during February with additional distribution in May (in honor of American Stroke Month).

Little Hats, Big Hearts is truly a labor of love led by volunteers who knit/crochet caps, organize packaging and facilitate disbursement. Aimee Hardy says the project was a perfect fit to “pay it forward.” Her son, Jack, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a defect affecting blood flow, and underwent his first of three surgeries at just 3 days old. “Thirty years ago, his condition was considered fatal,” Aimee says, “They would have sent us home and said to keep him as comfortable as possible.” Such cardiology advancements are, in part, thanks to AHA’s research which, often, connects to awareness and fundraising campaigns.That’s why Aimee joined the Little Hats, Big Hearts committee in Utah and, through her association with Intermountain Healing Hearts (a support group for parents of children with CHD), she helped to supply 75 percent of the hats distributed in 2016!

Alexson affirms that, in addition to raising awareness, the project also connects families affected by cardiovascular disease through the AHA’s Support Network, a free, online forum. And while the babies are the ones wearing the hats, she says the organization and its volunteers are empowering mothers as well.

Jill Brees Barr attests, “I knew that I wanted to be involved [with Little Hats, Big Hearts] and hoped that my story would encourage moms to play an active role in their family’s health and educate themselves on heart disease, the number one killer of women.” Jill was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW), a rare defect in which an extra electrical pathway between the heart’s upper and lower chambers causes a rapid heartbeat. Non-symptomatic until her teenage years, Jill didn’t even know she had the condition. Then, the day came that she’ll never forget. Diagnosed with preeclampsia during pregnancy, she was at her obstetrician’s office for a check-up. While her unborn baby was fine, the fetal heart monitor picked up Jill’s supraventricular tachycardia, a fast and irregular heartbeat. “The decision was made to life-flight me to a hospital with cardiology experts for delivery,” she recalls. Her son was delivered safely via caesarian and Jill would later undergo a surgical ablation to address the extra pathway. Since WPW is congenital, physicians will continue to monitor her son and evaluate potential symptoms. Already a volunteer, Jill was able to further advance the Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign and distribute hats after she was crowned Mrs. Iowa America 2017 with her volunteerism platform. She says, “I love the quote by John Holmes, ‘There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. ’The benefits of volunteerism are numerous and good for your mind, body and your community! Everyone has a gift that they can share with others and there are so many organizations that can benefit from that.”

For Victoria L., motivation was also two-fold. She was 10-years-old when doctors discovered she had a bicuspid aortic valve defect, a congenital condition that eventually led to a near-fatal cardiac event. Following chest pain in 2015, doctors rushed the mom of two into open-heart surgery. Driven to empower others with lifesaving knowledge, Victoria jumped at the chance to put her crocheting skills to good use, especially in association with babies. “Babies are not a threatening way to get the message across; whereas, when people say ‘I had a heart attack and this can happen to you,’ it can feel threatening and scary. If we share the message and symptoms with [the help of] a baby, people might bemore inclined to listen because babies are sweet and anything but scary,” explains Victoria, who has constructed hats for newborns in Kansas City area.

Even the youngest of do-gooders are helping too. Like at St. Philip the Apostle School in Pasadena, California, where a crochet club comprised of 10 to 12-year-old girls learn and practice the skill and, then, donate creations to Little Hats, Big Hearts. “The girls love to help others and have a passion for knitting. This was a lovely opportunity for them to combine two things that they love,” says Erin Delawari, mother of a club member.

Jill offers, “Volunteering is fun, impactful and I encourage you to find a cause that you are passionate about and get involved.” To volunteer with the Little Hats, Big Hearts, contact your local AHA office.

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