ILWAD Disability Blog and News

Cupid Struck Online

February 14, 2012 in Disability Insights, Disability News, Disability Resources by Sarah Laugtug, M.A.

Valentine’s Day is here once again. Normally I’m not really into the whole thing, but this year I am. I suppose it has a large part to do with recently meeting and moving in with my new love. My sweetie is disabled too, and we found one another on the dating website, disabled4dating. This is my dating story of fear, taking chances, being honest, and finding love. Read the rest of this entry →

Available Assistance for Disabled Individuals

February 9, 2012 in Disability Insights, Disability News, Disability Resources by Aaron Ruey

Unbeknownst to many people, especially those with very low incomes – if you are disabled, there are services available that can provide you with assistance in your area. Usually, every state has a different organization – the name might be slightly different with each state; however, in the state of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services will provide testing & determine if a person with my disability classification (severe to profound) would be eligible for assistance with hearing aids (or whatever your disability may be).
Read the rest of this entry →

Autism Controversy

February 5, 2012 in Disability Insights, Disability News, Disability Politics by Sarah Laugtug, M.A.

My topic begins with a show I watched recently on the Dr. Oz show. The topic was Autism. It was interesting—the audience represented parents who had children who were diagnosed on the Autism spectrum (ASD). The panel of professionals included Autism specialists, advocates and pediatricians.

There was a big controversy on the show, as we all have probably heard about in the news, with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. There is a question as to whether or not the vaccine is directly related to the onset of autism. Some parents were clear on their stance–that it was related, and that the vaccine caused autism. Read the rest of this entry →

Flying…on American Airlines, Oh My!

February 2, 2012 in Disability Insights, Disability News by Nessie Pruden Siler

As readers may remember, my previous post concerned the treatment that Dawn Wilcox, a veteran with a disability received on an American Airlines flight. thanks to the gift of a trip to St. Croix from my husband’s mother and stepfather, my husband and I were recently in a position to fly with American Airlines, as well.  Anytime we can exchange northeastern North Carolina winters for sunnier climates, we are there! Read the rest of this entry →

What Do You See?

January 15, 2012 in Disability Insights, Disability News by Aaron Ruey

Hearing aids behind the ears while wearing a ball cap
& sunglasses on top, Long black trench coat with a bright
red scarf & black leather gloves –

Excuse me? I am right here – say hello – don’t worry I won’t bite you…

A metal chair with big wheels and bright shiny metal,
How does this person get in and out of the wheelchair?
Read the rest of this entry →

WSIM: What Suffered Inside Me

January 13, 2012 in Disability Insights, Disability News by Ron Bercume

“WSIM: What Suffered Inside Me” is a short drama about a character named Simon that sees himself as an incomplete stick figure with crossed lines (horizontal and vertical) on his face. He visualizes simple figures with only horizontal lines on their faces as unable to see his inner self. Read the rest of this entry →

Reelabilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival

January 6, 2012 in Disability Insights, Disability News, Disability Resources, Disability Rights Advocates by Ron Bercume

ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival is the largest festival in the country dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. Initiated in NY in 2007, the festival presents award winning films by and about people with disabilities in multiple locations throughout each hosting city. Read the rest of this entry →

Dawn Wilcox, American Airlines & Public Opinion

December 13, 2011 in Disability Insights, Disability News by Nessie Pruden Siler

Dawn Wilcox, an American Veteran with a Disability (who happens to use a wheelchair), claims that American Airlines left her to sit in her own waste after failing to get her off the plane in time to use a restroom. American Airlines, for its part maintains that Ms. Wilcox was offered an aisle chair in order to assist her into the plane’s facilities, but that she refused the offer. Read the rest of this entry →

Can You See the Problem?

December 12, 2011 in Disability Insights, Disability News by Danny Housley

So, to follow-up on my previous post regarding my abysmal experience with MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, in case you aren’t familiar with them), I received two calls this morning regarding the incident. Keep in mind that it took 47 days to receive a “resolution” to the situation.   Read the rest of this entry →

Near Miss with a lot of Run Around

December 8, 2011 in Disability Insights, Disability News by Danny Housley

Here is an unfortunate tale (that is still unfolding) of Atlanta’s mass transit provider: MARTA. I am visually impaired and use a cane; this is really the only background information you need, and honestly that knowledge isn’t that necessary.  So, in October, I chose to walk to the Target around the corner from where I live.  Upon crossing the street (where I was in the crosswalk with the walk signal on) I hear a bus speed up, the next thing I know my cane is knocked to the side and a bus goes whizzing by my face.  Read the rest of this entry →

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