In 1997, Mattel produced a wheelchair-using Barbie doll called "Share a Smile Becky." The doll was a unique way to intertwine Barbie dolls and people with disabilities, making sure no one was left out in the Barbie world. Unfortunately, the doll was eventually discontinued due to ongoing design problems. The original Becky could not fit through the Barbie Dream House front door, and her hair was also so long that it would get caught in the wheelchairs wheels. Attempting to make the doll as real-life as possible, Mattel did some adjustments to Becky making her wheelchair smaller and her hair sh ..read more

There has been a disturbing finding from the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports research. According to the Council, only 29 percent of students with disabilities take physical education classes at least five days a week, compared to 34 percent of students without disabilities. Children with disabilities get four-and-half times less physical activity than children without disabilities. A Department of Health and Human Services study found that less than 25 percent of children get at least an hour of exercise every day; children with disabilities get even less. Physical education ..read more

The History of the Handicap SymbolOne of the most recognized symbols is the handicap symbol, officially called the International Symbol of Access. It is a royal blue square overlaid in white with a stylized image of a person using a wheelchair. It is maintained as an International Standard which means of transcends all languages, and its appearance is uniform in every country in the world. The image is a copywrite of the International Commission on Technology and Accessibility.Rehabilitation International, a federation of 145 organizations in 82 countries that conducts programs to assist peopl ..read more

Zach Anner’s competition to be the next reality traveling show on OWN has in fact become reality!“Rollin’ around the World with Zach Anner” will air this summer, and we are looking forward to it.  Zach will be rollin’ around the world meeting new people and going to exciting places, showing people that anything you put your mind to can be achieved. It might not be the smoothest ride, but as long as you are happy in the end, that is the greatest achievement. Zach, a 26-year-old from Austin Texas, has Cerebral Palsy which is a condition involving your brain and nervous system. There are man ..read more

Are you a veteran, disabled, and were serving on active duty on or after September 11, 2001? You can apply for a free Segway that is custom designed for your needs. Disability Rights Advocates for Technology, DRAFT, is made up of people with disabilities that refuse to be defined by their disability and have a passion for participating in life’s activities. They provide advocacy as well as education services as an advocate for the adoption of Universally Designed Technology Solutions. As part of their mission, they provide Segways for disabled veterans at no charge.In order to qualify for a fr ..read more

For those with disabilities and sometimes with the elderly, mobility issues usually involve everyday tasks that are challenging for many people that tend to take them for granted on a daily basis. This includes simply sitting down and rising from a seated position or climbing stairs with very little or no assistance. Thankfully lift chairs and chair lifts are here to offer a much-needed helping hand.What's the Difference? Before we get started, while their titles seem extremely similar at first glance, the difference between these two assistive living devices is almost night and day. In simple ..read more

A unique business opportunity has developed for entrepreneurs in the transportation sector. There are populations of disabled individuals in cities, suburbs, and rural areas that require adaptable transportation to various non-emergency medical appointments. The NEMT potential for wheelchair transport van owner/operators is growing at an astounding rate.As with starting any wheelchair transport van business, there are several concrete steps to be taken to ensure a proper foundation. For the sake of brevity, this article will focus on four primary elements: (1) establishing a business entity ..read more

Can You Still Drive if You Have Limited Use of Your Legs? Many people who have pain in their legs or limited use give up driving. Unfortunately, in many parts of the United States, that means giving up your independence. The thing is? You don't have to give up driving. There are options, of which the primary one is hand controls. This is one of the most common adaptive technologies for vehicles sold, and it allows even people who use a wheelchair to drive their own car. What Are Hand Controls? In their most basic form, hand controls are levers attached to the steering column that allow you to ..read more

IntroductionDisabled drivers may find themselves in a situation where they are unable to continue driving. If this is the case, it will be necessary to complete the Disabled Driver's Evaluation Process in order for them to be placed on a waiting list for an alternative vehicle. This process includes different steps and can take up to 6 months. In this blog article, we'll discuss what you can expect going through the Disabled Driver's Evaluation Process and what you should do to make the transition easier on yourself.The evaluation teamThe evaluation team consists of three individuals: a driver ..read more

So, Do You Think You Qualify for a Disabled Parking Permit? Let’s Find Out! Suppose you need to park in an accessible parking space. In that case, you probably already know you can get your hands on one of those excellent placards that hang from your rearview mirror, allowing you to park closer to the building or shop you're visiting without having to pay an excessive amount of money in parking fees. But how do you qualify for a disabled parking permit? Will any doctor's note do? Do you need a note from your primary care physician, or will your dentist or podiatrist do the trick? The Guide to ..read more