Disability Community News Feb 2009 Episode 1

By Thomas C. Weiss - Feb 1, 2009 7:49:58 AM

Disability Community Newsletter from Disabled World Feb. 2009 providing news, articles, and information from our Disability Community.

Disability Community Newsletter

Text Phones for the Deaf
By Matt

There are approximately 70 million deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired people worldwide.

What is a Text Phone?

A telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) is an electronic device for text communication via a telephone line, used when one or more of the parties has hearing or speech difficulties. The typical TDD is a device about the size of a small laptop computer with a QWERTY keyboard and small screen that uses LEDs or an LCD screen to display typed text electronically. A new development called the captioned telephone, now utilizes voice recognition. Newer text based communication methods, such as short message service (SMS), Internet relay chat (IRC), and instant messaging have also been adopted by the deaf as an alternative or adjunct to TDD.

Unfortunately using a home phone or cell phone that enabled the hearing impaired to communicate was not an option until recently.

There are also corded phones, or home phones, that offer text messaging, some of them may also contain other features that can be profitable by the hearing impaired or completely deaf.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/hearing/text-phones.php

American Sign Language Information
By Disabled World

American Sign Language is a language that uses physical means of communication, such as body language and lip patterns, instead of oral sound in order to communicate.

American Sign Language is a complete language. It is very complex and uses motions of the hands to make signs and facial expressions, and posture to communicate. Usually referred to as ASL, the language is a way to use hand movements, gestures, and facial expressions to convey thoughts.

Engineered Virus Targets and Kills Cancer Stem Cells in Neuroblastoma
By Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Treatment blocked deadly nerve cancer in study led by Cincinnati Children's. After identifying an apparent population of cancer stem cells for neuroblastoma, researchers successfully used a reprogrammed herpes virus to block tumor formation in mice by targeting and killing the cells.

Published online Jan. 21 by PLoS (Public Library of Science) One, the study led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting early stage cancer precursor cells with stem-cell-like properties may explain how some cancers form, are treatment resistant and prone to relapse. The study also underscores the increasing potential of targeted biological therapies to help people with stubborn cancers like neuroblastoma, which often recur and metastasize, said Timothy Cripe, M.D., Ph.D., senior investigator and a physician/researcher in the division of Hematology/Oncology at Cincinnati Children's.

Alternative Medicine Benefits and Uses
By Caleb Anderson

Alternative medicine has a number of benefits. It is a practice of consuming a medicine without the use of drugs. This may involve herbal medicines, self-awareness, biofeedback, or acupuncture.

With alternative medicines, a person becomes an active participant in techniques involved in the cure. Individuals understand their physical body functions well and understand the way it relates to their health.

Holistic medicine comes under alternative medicine. Nature, as a whole, has an important role in the usage of fruits, herbs, detox, and vitamins for purification, stimulation and healing. Use of such therapies has gained popularity in recent times, since they offer great health benefits to users. Many people are directing their attention toward alternative medicine and natural therapies for prevention of illnesses and solving their day-to-day health-related issues.

Biofeedback the Path to Healing
By Michelle Toole

You probably have heard about Biofeedback Therapy. And may even have an idea of how this form of therapy helps improve your health. But before I tell you more about this technique, I have to tell you how much I truly believe that without it I would not have made the strides in my health that I have made so far.

Using this technique daily as part of my holistic health care strategy has helped me to reset my Autonomic Nervous system and to start regaining control of my life.

ADA Rules for Employment
By Sandi Baker - Visual Innovation and Solutions

Employment for disabled workers is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However many times those with disabilities find this process as a whole difficult. The main reasons are:

The employer perceptions of those with disabilities

Improper questions given during the interview process

Employers are distracted regarding the disability and thus are not really interviewing

That adaptive technology, or only small accommodations will be needed for disabled people to perform their jobs

So what are the ADA rules?

Rights of People Leaving Work Due to Disability
By Allsup

Knowing the benefits that you are still entitled to before you leave can save you money, improve your healthcare and reduce stress.

Each year, millions of Americans are diagnosed with permanent or long-term medical or psychological conditions that make it impossible for them to work. Too often, however, people simply quit their jobs without knowing their rights, according to Allsup, a leading provider of Social Security disability, financial and healthcare-related services to people with disabilities.

Listen and Track Space Station Space Shuttle and Satellites
By Disabled World

Amateur astronomers and those interested in listening to and tracking satellites, the international space station (ISS), and orbiting space shuttles on your home computer will be interested in these free live spacecraft tracking programs.

There are literally hundreds of satellites you can choose to track. See when they are overhead, then go outside and identify which satellite is above you. Great for educating and entertaining both children and adults, and a good pastime or hobby for people with disabilities, or anyone who enjoys night sky watching.

Snowboarding with Disabilities
By Jim Garza

Many times those with developmental mental or physical disabilities are discriminated against in our society. They are discriminated based solely on their disability, not on what they can and cannot do. Happily, in the sports arena, those with disabilities are getting a chance to display their skills.

For those that still believe that the loss of a limb makes someone unable to play sports, I strongly recommend that they see the film "Murder Ball", a little seen 2005 documentary about wheel chair rugby, where athletes missing one or more limbs go all out in full contact mode to win a championship. I guarantee that anyone after seeing this movie will have a lot more respect for those with disabilities among us.

Disability Access at Disneyland and Disney World Parks
By Disabled World

Disneyland® is very "disabled friendly". Disneyland, opened on July 17, 1955, is an American theme park in Anaheim, California, conceived by Walt Disney, the park was built in one year at a cost of $17m.

The Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for Guests with disabilities and is available at Guest Relations locations within all four Disney Parks as well as Guest Services locations at the Walt Disney World® Resorts. Guests with specific disability concerns can visit Guest Relations at any of the Theme Parks for additional information and assistance.

Email Email article Printer Print

This site is intended for your general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.
© Disabled World - Building the most informative disability community online! 83