Photo of man in a wheelchair outdoors, departing from train. Image of Earth with icon people with disabilities and trees moving. Text: Making Earth Day Accessible.

Making Earth Day Accessible

April 22nd is Earth Day, a unifying gathering that brings together all walks of life to celebrate our planet, activate change, and work together to build an abundant future. Let’s work together to make the future more inclusive for people with disabilities. In 1987, the United Nations defined “development with sustainability” as something that “meets…

Graphic of old Ability Tools Weekly logo next to new "Where It's AT: The Ability Tools Blog" logo

WHERE IT’S AT: The New Name for the Ability Tools Blog

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…

Banner featuring two photos of Alexa using her power chair with the YO and Ability Tools logos

The ADA: A Huge Help!

By Alexa McBride The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26th, 1990. The bill was signed by then President George W. Bush. The ADA gave millions of Americans who have disabilities access to public places, transportation, education, employment and housing. I recently learned that President Bush had a sister-in-law with a disability.…

A black background with a photo of the author at Pride. There is the YO! Disabled and Proud logo. The text reads "Showing off my Independence on Independence Day By: Tiffany Youth Advisory Councilmember". Beneath this are rainbow stars and the Ability Tools Logo.

Showing off my Independence on Independence Day

Written By: Tiffany Taylor, YO! YAC Member & Halten Center for the Blind Who is Tiffany Taylor? I am a teacher of Braille, Assistive Technology, Independent Living Skills and Financial Management at the Hatlen Center for the Blind. I also happen to be a graduate of the program who is visually impaired. What does Independence…

A yellow background with black stripes. The Ability Tools Logo. Text reads "Ability Tools Blog Safety & A.T Assistive Technology for National Safety Month" An image of an adapted fire alarm.

Assistive Technology That Can Support Safety

Hey! Did you know June is National Safety Month? Safety and disability can go hand-in-hand, and assistive technology can help. From special locks, alarms and environmental adaptations, here are some examples on how people with disabilities can keep themselves and their families safe. Locks Wireless Remote Controlled Door Locks For those with limited dexterity, fine…

group of youth wearing green with wording beneth them that reads "Disability Pride and Leadership Summit"

Disability Pride and Leadership Summit

By Jacquelyn E. and Katie J. At Grizzly Creek Ranch* (GCR) in Portola, CA we had a statewide summit for Disability Pride and Leadership. The purpose of the summit was to bring together youth with disabilities from across California to start making a campaign for Disability Pride Month in July. When we arrived at the…

There is a black bar with white text. It reads "Luke Hsieh's Favorite AT five favorite assistive technology devices from high-tech to low-tech". There are photos of the various AT devices and the Ability Tools logo.

Top Five AT Devices from an AT Advocate

Written by: Luke Hsieh, Assistive Technology Advocate Community Access Center For this top five countdown, I will be ranking my my five favorite assistive technology devices from high-tech to low-tech. By September next year, I will have worked a full decade as an assistive technology specialist for an Independent Living Center.  The first generation iPad…

In the photo, Liz is lying on the ground next to her daughter who is sitting on a ride-on toy. The text is light yellow on a pink background. The Ability Tools Logo is at the top. It reads “Ability Tools Blog; Mothering with a Disability; Liz Pazdral shares her mom hacks using assistive technology; www.abilitytools.org/blog”.

AT Mothering With A Disability

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.…

A dark blue background. Large white text reads "Free Telecommunication Solutions, Anyone?". Beaneath this is a photo of two adapted phones and a senior woman using the phone. The bottom has the Ability Tools Logo and the California Phones logo.

Free Telecommunication Solutions, Anyone?

Written By: Ability Tools Staff Did you know that California has a state program that provides FREE phone to individuals with various disabilities? These phones are provided by the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) at no charge to eligible Californians. DDTP distributes telecommunications equipment and services that improve communication for all Californians. A program of the…

Photo description: Photo of a woman in a wheelchair smiling and wearing a blue/brown top. The photo is framed in a gold/purple gradient circle. The background is lavender. There is a CFILC logo at the top left corner and a Puffin Innovations logo in the top right corner. The caption reads, "Adriana Mallozzi" in gold cursive on a dark purple bar, "Founder/CEO, Puffin Innovations” in purple print on a gold bar. #HERstory #DisabledandPowerful

The Future is Female… and Accessible.

By: Kyla Aquino Irving- Communications and Marketing Manager, CFILC   Adriana Mallozzi, CEO and Founder of Boston area-based Puffin Innovations, is on a mission to empower people with disabilities by providing innovative assistive technology (AT) devices. Adriana grew up with a disability at a young age and was exposed to AT by an occupational therapist…