Disability News from around the World

Disabled World features some of the very latest news from around the corner and across the globe concerning persons with disabilities, health issues and the elderly.

View disability related news, events, activities and education notices for people with a disability, caregivers, and service workers. Our news stories cover new laws and legislations passed in various countries that may effect the disabled and the elderly, to off beat news. You'll find we try to cover a bit of everything in our disability news articles below.

For up to date disability and health news headlines and video clips from around the world visit our health and disabilities news section which is updated daily.

Disability and Health Related News

Pacemakers and iPods
Pacemaker patients who follow the kind of news they put on the back of the front section may have learned lately that the earbuds used in iPods and other similar music players can interfere with pacemakers.

That Minority Thing - Online News Source
That Minority Thing is an online community for individuals and groups currently under-represented in the mainstream media. By providing specialized news and a distinctive community, That Minority Thing is the go-to site for meaningful dialogue about the unique issues facing the diverse audiences in our society today.

No Child Left Behind - Federally Financed Tutoring
The No Child Left Behind Law allows students in schools that have fallen short of performance goals to get free tutoring.

W3C Standard Simplifies Creation of Speech Enabled Web Applications
W3C published today a standard that will simplify the development of Web applications that speak and listen to users.

OLPC - One Laptop Per Child Project
The One Laptop Per Child project wants to put a low cost laptop computer into the hands of every child in primary schools in developing countries. The idea is to give children a tool for taking their own education into their own hands so they will learn more.

SAG AFTRA and AEA Announce the I AM PWD Campaign
The Performers With Disabilities (PWD) Tri-Union Committee of Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), announced the launch of a major disability rights campaign.

Global Finance System Failed to Lift Poverty and Exclusion
Delegates to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today underscored the failure of the global financial system to lift the world’s most vulnerable groups out of the vicious cycle of poverty and exclusion, as they wrapped up their discussion on social development.

Disability and Health - The Week that Was - September 26 - 2008
A selection of weekly news topics of interest to seniors and the disabled regarding world disability and health news for the week ending September 26 2008.

Effects of Genetic Engineering
To some people, this is the chance for a better and healthier life, but there are other people fear that it is "playing God" and trying to "program" a human being. Each of these views is right in certain ways. Genetic engineering could be used to enhance peoples lives, but it could also be used to harm peoples lives.

Antibiotic Ketek Linked To Liver Failure
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered pharmaceuticals manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis to put more strident side effects warning on the packaging of Ketek (telithromycin), an antibiotic that has been linked to incidents of liver toxicity, liver failure, and death.

Florida Hospital Performs First Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplant in Orlando
Florida Hospital recently performed the first unrelated bone marrow transplant in the Orlando area on 61-year-old Michael Richard.

Best Health Care
How can we, as women, get the best possible health care possible and feel empowered with doctors? Here are five suggestions that will help you step into your power on your own behalf!

Algae for Food and Fuel - A Panacea?
Boeing is reported to be working with alternative fuel developers from around the world to accelerate alternatives to jet fuel, which has dramatically increased in price and is threatening the viability of airlines.

Motorcycle and Scooter Accidents Increase
As gas prices continue to rise to figures unseen before in the United States, as well as around the world, millions of Americans are looking at gas-friendly modes of transportation. Among the options available are scooters and motorcycles, which are quickly becoming sought after and a popular form of transportation.

The State of Drinking Water Treatment in America
Recently it was reported that there is a new player in the drinking water treatment field, over the counter and prescription medications. All across the U.S., Canada, and Europe scientists are reporting about the discovery of pharmaceuticals in our water supplies.

Study Uncovers Mesothelioma Link to Nanotechnology
In the early 90's development of carbon nanotubes has been an amazing feat for technological applications, however, it has not gone without its price. Specifically, carbon nanotubes may be causing harm to the human body in the form of mesothelioma cancer.

Voice of Specials
Voice of Specials (VOS) is the largest circulated ABC Certified bi-lingual magazine for PWDs (Persons With Disabilities) by the PWDs in Pakistan.

Justin Timberlake OCD
According to an interview that Timberlake gave he has a “complicated” mix of OCD and attention deficit disorder.

Vancouver Mayor Achieves his Dreams with a Big Heart and Mechanical Help
It's not unusual for the mayor of a large city to be an accomplished person. Throwing out the opening pitch of a major league baseball game, founding 6 non-profit organizations, going sailing on weekends, and waving the Olympic flag during the hand-off ceremony when his city hosts the Olympic Games might seem like average activities for a mayor. What makes Sam Sullivan, the Mayor of Vancouver, unique is that he has been quadriplegic since the age of 19.

Antibiotic Resistance
The problem of dealing with antibiotic resistance is a complex one. Some bacterial agents have developed their resistance only to certain agents - though those agents are the ones that are prescribed as treatment.

Human Tissue Bank Scandal
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered human body tissue recovery and distribution company Biomedical Tissue Services, Ltd. to cease manufacturing human body tissue.

Global Orthopedic Surgery
According to the United States Census Bureau, nearly 47 million Americans had no medical insurance as of 2005. Statistics in Britain and Canada are alarming as well. Global healthcare has become a very viable option and alternative to address those seeking orthopedic treatments and surgeries.

Erbs Palsy Lawsuits
Currently, there are more Cerebral Palsy lawsuits in courts across America and in Europe than there are cases of Erb's palsy, but some of the most recent successful birth injury cases have been coming from Erb's Palsy litigation...

IMPRUVE
IMPRUVE is the Independent Movement of Paratransit Riders for Unity, Vehicles, Equality. We work with the Rider-Driver Alliance (RDA) of mass transit and paratransit riders and drivers to stop PACE and CTA fare increases, layoffs and service cuts.

Autism Campaign welcomes UN World Autism Awareness Day
(London, UK) The Autism Awareness Campaign UK welcomed the launch of the first ever United Nations World Autism Awareness Day on Wednesday 2nd April 2008 declared by the United Nations General Assembly. The campaign is delighted that Qatar backed this resolution and that the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has had the vision to see this through.

The Start of Something New
Mary Ann Martin Johnson is the C.E.O of mamjpw.com and is totally disabled. She has arthritis in both of her legs; her back is severely damaged from all the accidents she’s been through.

Disability Martial Arts Association
This club was set up to help people with disabilities and their families become involved in martial arts. Working side by side with the Disability Martial Arts Association (a registered charity) the club is run by David and Stephen Lee (father and son),

Serious Burns from Car Seat Heaters
Electric car seat heaters are now commonplace.  But while they may provide some comfort, they pose grave risks of causing severe burns to paraplegics, quadriplegics, or others who have sensory deficits of the lower body and legs.

Benzoyl Peroxide: Are You An Allergy Risk?
One of the many questions I get lately is: "Should I be afraid of an allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide and should I use it?" Good questions! This product has been used for decades and is available over the counter and perscription strenght. So, enquiring minds want to know! How good is it, how does it work and are there allergies?

Disabled World Re-Visited
Disabled World, one of the very first online communities for persons with disabilities, has now been online for over three and a half years. I originally visited Disabled World several years ago and thought I would take another look to see how the website had progressed.

Americans Ranked 41st in Lifespans
In America, we take understandable pride in being Number One. We are, after all, the richest people on Earth. We have the largest military. We're still the only country to have put a man on the moon. Why, then, are we only the 41st (yes, you read that right) longest living people on the planet?

Studies On Natural Health Flawed
In a new study and commentary in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, researchers concluded that the levels of vitamin E necessary to reduce oxidative stress are four to eight times higher than those used in almost all past clinical trials.

Disabled World Survives First 10 Months
Nearly 10 months have passed since we saw the launch of Disabled-World.Com a website that has grown into a complete online community for the disabled and people with disabilities.

Media Sensationalism of Irrational Fears
The media has gotten into a state of sensationalism as of late, focusing on the negative aspects of modern life. However, despite all the fear and anxiety that the media portrays, there really isn't all that much to worry about, as most of the disasters shown are either unavoidable or are rare exceptions.

Businesses Fight Broadening of Disability Act
The ADA Restoration Act will change the definition of disability in the ADA so that the law covers the people it was intended to protect. As of now, 97% of court rulings are decided upon the employers favor because the definition of disability as gotten more narrow.

A Trial Down in Texas Moves Closer
The dietary supplement complaint against Utopia Silver owner Ben Taylor appears headed towards an inevitable trial and the next step in the process, a hearing to determine interrogatories, discovery, inspection and sanctions is set to for this coming Wednesday, October 3rd in the 200th District Court, Judge Triana, at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin.

Health and Insurance
Forty seven million people have no insurance, 2.2 million more than last year, with health insurance coverage up 87% since 2000 according to AARP.

Ricky DeRennaux a finalist on American Inventor
Ricky DeRennaux is an ODEP HS/HT grantee and was a finalist on the show, American Inventor.

National Outreach Iniative Launched to Help Children Fight Autism
Boonton Township, NJ (August 23, 2007) – DAD, the nation’s largest non-profit school and community outreach organization, dedicated to helping children fight Autism, and other disabilities with music, today announced the launch of the National DAD Drum Therapy® Tour, and the DAD Mobile Drum Therapy® Center.

Sodium in Public Water Supplies: An Increasing Public Health Concern
Sodium is an important mineral ion essential for the maintenance of electrolytic composition and consistence of bodily fluids. It is found in foods and beverages consumed by man. The presence of sodium in most processed foods is becoming an important health concern to consumers, worldwide.

Global Warming - A Threat to Future
Rising global temperature is a fact of life. It is expected to raise sea levels, change precipitation systems and affect local climate conditions.

Global Warming: A Global Warning
The effects of global warming resulting in climate changes have affected large part of the world in terms of agriculture output health hazards and quality of life.

Students Fail BMI Test
The school board in Gillette, Wyoming decided to put kids BMI (body mass index), an indicator of obesity, on their report cards.

The True Cost of Recycling
Recycling waste uses double the energy consumption and causes twice the pollution from factories, trucks, byproducts etc. Preparing the recyclable material uses more energy and creates as much waste and byproducts as using raw materials.

Lee Scott Parliamentary Debate on Autism
An unstoppable momentum has been created by the landmark debate on autism launched by the influential parliamentarian, Lee Scott, MP for Ilford North. The debate on autism took place in Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster on 7th March 2007.

How Toxic is Your Home?
We like to think of our homes as being a safe place to be, a refuge from a dangerous world. Yet some of the exposures that you have day-to-day that are most hazardous to your health and the health of your family happen right at home.

Bottled Water
Is bottled water a rip off? The short answer is yes. There is nothing great about it. The only thing that is great about it is how it has been marketed. They tell us it is the best thing that we can get. It is something we all should drink.

Autism Campaign Push for Change at Labour Party Conference
The Autism Awareness Campaign UK are pushing for real change at this year's Labour Party Conference in Manchester.

The Leading Cause of Death in the United States
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the number one ranking cause of death in 2003 for all age groups between 1 and 44 years of age was unintentional injuries. The overwhelming majority of these were due to motor vehicle accidents.

Forty Million Americans Drinking Lead Contaminated Water
How does water become contaminated with lead? Lead is not normally found in water until it passes through pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead. Homes built before 1986 are likely to have lead pipes, fixtures or solder.

Autism Awareness Campaign UK Humberside Tragedy
Ivan and Charika Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK are calling on Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Government to undertake a review of autism and public services in the light of the Humberside Tragedy.