December 3rd, 2012
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Releases Message for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Monday, December 3, 2012
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has released a message to the international community to mark the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is observed around the world on December 3rd each year.
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Day's debut on the world calendar, happily coinciding with a Paralympic year, to which Ban makes reference in his statement. Ban also announces the United Nations General Assembly's plans to hold a High-Level meeting on disability and development next year, "[i]n order to spur action to bridge...
November 22nd, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Today's Waterloo Region Record featured the heartwarming story of Isabel Reid and Dora Fernandes, who were brought together by Community Living Cambridge through the Associate Home Program.
Dora, who has a developmental disability, now lives with Isabel in her home, and the two feel "almost like sisters."
To read the Waterloo Region Record article, A Place to Call Home: Program Helps Adults with Developmental Disabilities to Flourish in the Community, click here!
November 19th, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Do you or someone you know have low vision? If so, an iPad could help!
A recent study performed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology has discovered that the iPad's backlit screen helps people with vision loss to read at a comfortable level again.
To read the Cult of Mac article, Study Shows that iPads Help People with Vision Loss Read Faster, More Comfortably, click here!
November 14th, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
A man who has not spoken in 12 years was able to express himself to University of Western Ontario researchers this week, using MRI brain scan technology.
Scott Routely, who acquired a brain injury in a motor vehicle accident, responded to questions and suggestions from researchers, who then interpreted his responses through monitoring the stimulated parts of his brain.
To read the Waterloo Region Record article, A World First: Brain-injured Man Communicates with University of Western Ontario Researches Through Brain Scan, click here!
November 12th, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Dolphins are certainly cute, but they can also be therapeutic--especially for children with disabilities.
CTV's Lloyd Robertson discusses the benefits of Dolphin Therapy in this video from CTV News.
To watch the CTV News video via The Globe and Mail, click here!
November 5th, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
This past weekend, Yelm, Washington's Zac Vawter climbed the 103 floors of Chicago's Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, using a mind-controlled bionic leg.
The prosthetic leg, which was designed and constructed by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, responds to electrical impulses in the hamstring of the user. By the time the user has the cognitive impulse to walk, the motors, belts and chains of the leg are already synchronizing the movements of the ankle and knee.
To read the CBC News article, Man Climbs Skyscraper with Bionic Leg, click here!
November 2nd, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
November 1-7 is Down Syndrome Awareness Week!
On Sunday, November 4, the Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society is holding its annual three-kilometre Buddy Walk at Stanly Park Community Centre. Registration begins at 1:00pm, and the walk starts at 2:00pm.
To read the Waterloo Region Record article, Buddy Walk Aims to Promote Inclusion of People with Down Syndrome, click here!
October 26th, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Singer-songwriter Justin Hines, who recently performed at the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region's ACCESS 2012 tradeshow, was featured in today's Globe and Mail talking about his 2006 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, which has been his primary mode of transportation since 2006.
Hines talks about the benefits of the vehicle, and the role it has had in his career as a musician.
To read the Globe and Mail article, Sprinter Van Keeps Singer Justin Hines Rolling click here.
October 26th, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
This morning on CBC's Metro Morning, host Matt Galloway spoke to Sandra Carpenter, Executive Director for Centre for Independent Living Toronto, about how to change Ontario's social assistance model for people with disabilities.A great 8-minute interview, and definitely worth a listen!
To listen to the interview on CBC's Metro Morning, click here.
October 24th, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has compiled a list of great Halloween costumes for kids and adults who use wheelchairs!
If you or a friend or family member are looking for costume inspiration with Halloween only a week away, check out the Reeve Foundation's page!
