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John Palmer became paralyzed at age 19 after being involved in a pool related accident. He is now getting married and wants to be able to experience a first dance with his new wife. After finding the only dance studio in Michigan that offered a ballroom dancing program for wheelchair users, John is able to make his wish come true. As future OTs, we need to support the hopes and dreams of our clients and try to our best ability to put them in the position to make these things happen. A wheelchair isn’t provided to someone to hold them back, but it is meant to enable occupation and assist them in completing daily tasks. As a society, we need to remember that a person isn’t defined by their disability and that they can accomplish much more than meets the eye. 

This is an informative research article that i found in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy database. This study focused on different approaches to service delivery and made an effort to determine which approaches are most successful for early intervention for children. The researchers came to a conclusion that family-centered and routine-based interventions are the most effective in addition to parent training and education. As occupational therapy practitioners, this is useful information because we want to have the positive outcomes and make our client feel comfortable in therapy. Research has proven that this type of service delivery is effective, so it will be beneficial to incorporate it into our practice in the future. In addition, It is always important to remain client centered and family-centered when interacting with individuals. 

Ryan Weimer is the father of 3 children who were diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. His goal was to make his children feel like superstars instead of being looked at with sympathy. Ryan created a nonprofit organization, Magic Wheelchair, that would provide children in wheelchairs with amazing, unique Halloween costumes. This story shows how creativity and devotion can have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for someone with a disability. Although this organization goes to a lot of trouble to create these costumes, occupational therapists and other members of society should realize that all acts of kindness can go a long way. Taking steps to include individuals with disabilities will create an overall positive atmosphere in a world that views disability as a limitation. 

This blog is a wonderful resource for an individual with a disability that is looking to travel or move to a new place. It lists the top 7 cities in the United States that support adapting services and environments to create a wheelchair friendly atmosphere. Seattle, WA ranked #1 because transit systems, attractions, and ferries are accessible for those who utilize wheelchairs. In addition, rehab centers, fitness centers, and hospitals have started following a universal design that makes it easier for wheelchair users to maneuver in, out, and around the facilities. It is important to take into consideration the obstacles that these individuals have to face on a daily basis if curbs, bathrooms, transportation, and even doorways aren’t created or adapted to a wheelchair accessible standard. In the future, I hope that every city will be wheelchair friendly and support the function of those who utilize mobility devices. 

This 8th grade classroom is all about assistive technology! The school that it is associated with is very involved with HP’s Hacking Autism which is a movement to create autism apps and technology. One of the classroom assignments is to create an app that could help someone in any way. Through the use of technology, these kids are brainstorming and creating apps that could possibly assist individuals with disabilities. One student created an app that is a calculator with large buttons. This app could benefit people with poor fine motor skills or even low vision. It is wonderful that this school is educating students about technology and the great ways that it can be used to help others!

This blog is a great representation of how evolving technology has impacted individuals with disabilities in a positive way. This story focused on individuals with blindness or low vision. This population was concerned when smartphones started getting popular because it was almost impossible for them to utilize this technology. With the creation of VoiceOver, a built in app that reads messages on the screen aloud, people with low vision or blindness can operate smartphones just as efficiently as people with typical vision. There are also other apps such as the Money Reader that assist individuals in identifying currency despite not being able to see it. As technology improves and changes, it allows people with disabilities to function at higher levels and completely ADLs and IADLs independently. 

Infogrip a great website if you are looking to locate or compare alternative access and computers! This website provides everything from alternative keyboards to switch interphases to PC computers. After choosing from one of the broad categories such as Software, Mice, or Keyboards, you are directed to a selection of products that match that description. Once you have located what you are looking for, there is a detailed description along with reviews and comparison features. Because of technological advances, it’s hard to keep up with the new AT devices and alternative access products. This website can benefit therapists because it provides a reliable source for quality products. 

This was an interesting blog that I found on Feedly. This product is a virtual reality system designed by MindMaze that was developed not only to help individuals with motor ability impairments but to provide education to those with Autism. This virtual reality allows someone to interact and receive feedback in a way they have never experienced. This product is beneficial because it provides a safe place for people to develop social skills. This is proof that technology is contributing to enhance knowledge and life skills for people with disabilities. 

Meet Christopher Hills. He is a young man who was born with Athetoid CP but decided not to let that define who he is. Instead, he is a video editor who runs his own business and is a certified professional by Apple. He is able to access his computer with the use of a switch. A switch is a device that detects contact, sound, or movement and provides an input control signal to the computer. It is an alternative to a standard keyboard. In Christopher’s case, his head switch sends a signal to another switch that is connected to his computer via USB. With the development of alternative access, this brilliant individual can navigate his computer by hitting his switch to search through and select keys or buttons.  As a result, Christopher is able to participate in occupations that he loves and is able to function on a much higher level. Overall, he is happy and compassionate about what he does. This is a lesson to all of us: utilize technology because it has the capabilities of taking your clients to the next level!