We were at Walt Disney World about 13 years ago when we realized we needed to get a wheelchair-accessible van for our daughter. It seems like a strange place to have this revelation, but when you’re lifting a wheelchair into the trunk of your van multiple times a day and then lifting your child into the same van, it hits you. This isn’t working anymore! Whatever prompts you to decide whether a wheelchair-accessible van is
Category: Disability
As a parent of a daughter with disabilities, it feels like I am always thinking about the “worst case” scenarios so that I am prepared. This is futile because you can never prepare for all situations. The thought of a fire in our home is panic-inducing. Add in a daughter that cannot move on her own or speak and it is a completely different world. Fortunately, we only deal with hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and mudslides
Ernie Reynolds Essay Contest 2023 Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) is proud to, once again, hold our annual essay contest in honor of an outstanding disability rights advocate, Ernie Reynolds, who passed away in 2012. We are looking for motivating stories about people with disabilities who have successfully overcome barriers and achieved success while advocating for themselves or others. First Prize: $300Second Prize: $200Third Prize: $100 Entry deadline: January 13, 2023Submissions will be judged on: Rules1.
The infographic shows an outline of what is required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that ensures students’ age 3-21 have a Free Appropriate Public Education. You can link to a larger copy here.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides income to people 65 and older, blind, disabled, or who have little or no income. If you are an adult with disabilities or have a child with disabilities who will turn 18 soon, understanding how to make sure they qualify for SSI is important. In most states, once you qualify for SSI, you also qualify for Medicaid. They can use Medicaid as a supplement to
If you have ever ordered DME, you know it is a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process. There are ways to make it less frustrating. Durable Medical Equipment can range from blood sugar meters to hospital beds to wheelchairs and a lot in between. By definition, DME must be durable (obviously), used for a medical reason, used in your home, and expected to last multiple years. Dealing with insurance companies isn’t always easy. Sometimes it feels
Michigan State Parks make sites more accessible. Traveling with a wheelchair can be limiting. The good news is many places are learning they need to do better at accommodating people with disabilities. Kudos to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for adding track chairs to their state parks so people with disabilities can access all areas. There are 11 state parks in Michigan that have track chairs that people with disabilities can borrow. People should
The terms used at an IEP or 504 Plan meeting can be confusing. This link will bring you to a site that has great explanations for prominent terms used in special education meetings. Please remember, during any meeting with the school, you can ask for clarification. If you don’t understand something or something does not sound right, ask them to clarify. Ask them to explain it better if it still makes little sense to you.
Tips for getting your wheelchair winter ready. Winter is fun and beautiful until you have to maneuver a wheelchair through the snow! Here are some links to sites that can help you make sure your wheelchair is winter ready. I have also provided some links to sites where you can buy adaptive winter coats. I have no official affiliation with any of these sites, but we use Adaptations By Adrian, so I can vouch for