Written by: Christina Mills, Deputy Director, California Foundation of Independent Living Centers The chances that most manual wheelchair users will eventually graduate to a power wheelchair are high. As much as I’d like to believe that my body, and specifically my shoulders, should work like they have forever (in a seated position, moving back and…
Written by Luke Hsieh, Assistive Technology Advocate; Community Access Center I have just returned from a two week vacation in Taiwan (my place of birth); during which I visited three very different disability service institutions. I also had the pleasure of being briefed on about the state of Taiwanese disability services, and how much it…
By: Rosemarie Punzalan; CFILC Technology Coordinator BORROW EQUIPMENT FROM A DEVICE LENDING LIBRARY How can I borrow ergonomic tools? In collaboration with CalAgrAbility, Ability Tools provides services to gardeners, farmers, farm workers and farm families. Borrow a device from one of our Device Lending Libraries (DLLs) throughout California and try before you buy, compare…
Summer is almost over, but there is still time to enjoy our beautiful National Parks! Here is a featured blog from Disability Blog about how the parks are improving their services to allow all individuals to enjoy the wonderful outdoor experiences that our country has to offer. Enjoy it and get out there while you…
By Kim Lathrop, Administrative Assistant, CFILC Those who know me know I am not too adventurous when it comes to the great outdoors. Of course, being born without any arms or legs, it goes without saying that being “adventurous” comes with some extra challenges. Now, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy swimming in our local…
Earlier this year, Ability Tools launched their second AT video contest. We were so pleased with all of the submissions we received and would like to thank each and every contestant for entering! The purpose of this contest was to showcase creative ways people with disabilities use assistive technology (AT). AT is any object, device…
What are you doing on Wednesday, May 20th? Join us in Sacramento for the 12th annual Disability Capitol Action Day (DCAD)! DCAD is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse cross-disability annual days of unity. Recognizing the important issues facing people with disabilities and their allies and in honor of the 25th anniversary of…
by Alette Coble-Temple, PsyD As Ms. Wheelchair California 2015, I am honored that I have been asked to blog for Ability Tools. As a woman with cerebral palsy, interdependence is a foundational aspect of my life. I achieve interdependence by using assistive technology, devices, and personal assistants. While I consider myself successful in navigating life…
This post was reprinted with permission from disABILITY WORK TOOLS Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Tax Incentives can help offset the cost of accommodating a worker’s disability. With assistive technology and accommodations workers can keep doing their jobs instead of quitting their trade and applying for social security disability payments. Workers and employers often do…
by Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator I have recently started working for Ability Tools as the Program Coordinator for their Information and Referral line. I receive many questions every day and, most of the time, I am able to assist the individual with little to no problems by answering their questions and/ or giving them referrals…