September is Self Care Month. Self care refers to (often simple) activities to ensure physical and mental fitness. According to clinical psychologist, Lavonna Connell, self care is a critical and important part of every person’s mental health. Not taking care of oneself mentally often leads to physical ailments. Dr. Connell explains that in the…
The Ability Tools team at the California Foundation for Independent Living (CFILC) opted to let our assistive technology (AT) advocates and the general public vote online for a new blog name. With over 50% of the votes, Where It’s AT won! When you think of an assistive technology (AT) blog – Ability Tools is Where…
Written By: Emily Flynn, Ability Tools Program Coordinator Although Mother’s Day has just passed, I can’t help but have my mom on my mind lately. See, I have one of those moms who was born to be a mom. She puts everyone’s needs before hers, she’s got a poker face like you wouldn’t believe; and…
Written By: Liz Pazdral, Executive Director of the State Independent Living Council (SILC) and Madeleine’s Mom If you are living with a disability, you know that modifying tasks is the key to success. This Mother’s Day, I would like to identify some Assistive Technology I used to successfully mother when my daughter was a baby.…
Written By: Ability Tools Staff It’s that time of year the again, time for spring cleaning! What better day to spring into cleaning than Earth Day? For close to 48 years, Earth Day has been observed on April 22nd and is a day where people around the world celebrate environmental movements and build awareness around…
Written By: Sara Wat- University of California, Davis California AgrAbility For the past few years, the UC Davis California AgrAbility Program and Ability Tools have partnered to bring assistive technology and farming ergonomic resources to farmers, agricultural workers, ranchers, and gardeners across California. Starting in 2014, the Ability Tool’s AT Exchange- Device Lending Library, began…
Felix Reges, a 10-year-old boy, is able to see clearly for the very first time with the help of wearable technology. His parents and teachers say, “It’s opened up a whole new world for him.” NuEyes Changing Felix’s Life The Sunrise Valley Elementary School 4th grader has had severely impaired vision his entire life, but…
Written by: Kevin Hansen, Voice Options Program Manager During the time that the Voice Options Pilot Project has been running we have seen a significant impact in the lives of the participants that have received services from this program. This pilot project was funded by the California Public Utilities Commission and officially started on January…
Today is Purple Heart Day and Purple Heart Day is an observance that commemorates the creation of the Purple Heart Medal in 1782. The Purple Heart medal is awarded to those who were wounded or killed while serving the US military. This holiday encourages people to pay their respects to fallen soldiers, to listen to…
Triumph Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help children, adults, and Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder to triumph over their disability and to inspire them to keep moving forward with their lives by pushing themselves to get better every day. Triumph works to minimize the obstacles that one faces after suffering…