Top Schools for Disabled Students

The U.S. has the most educational opportunities for disabled students because of the American Disabilities Act. Canada, legislatively, supports educating students with disabilities in regular classrooms as a first option. Laws vary from province to province in Canada. The level of specialized services for students with disabilities in public schools is not standardized across the nation as it is in the United States.

According to the government’s website, Statistics Canada, Prince Edward Island has 73% of their disabled students in regular classrooms while Quebec has 48%, but the site also states that this is most likely a result of specific services not being available rather than intentional programming. There are a few other options to consider. There are schools that cater to specific disabilities and can be found by searching with canada 411. Below are some of the possibilities.

  • Deaf Education – Canada has deaf education schools K-12, mostly in the province of Ontario. The Clinical and Educational Centre for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Children in British Columbia is a top program as well.
  • Schools for the Visually Impaired – Institut Nazareth is a music focused school for blind children in Montreal. The Alliance for Equity of Blind Canadians is working to increase the number of educational and work opportunities for all visually impaired Canadians. Programs are scattered and few.
  • Schools for Autism -There are few public school programs for this condition. There are many nonprofit organizations filling the gap. AutismOntario is a full service website that gathers information across Canada on research, treatments, education, and chapters that give parent support.
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Best Travel Accommodations for the Disabled

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The time has passed when a disabled traveller found it hard to enjoy a vacation on a cruise ship. Although some of the smaller and older ships may still leave a bit to be desired, the larger vessels owned by the more prominent shipping lines are usually fitted out to be disabled friendly. They usually have at least 20 or more wheelchair friendly staterooms which have widened doorways, wheelchair enabled showers, lower placed sinks, more accessible furniture and handrails.

It is advisable that when booking cheap cruises for disabled people you make certain enquiries such as:

  • Are there any additional fees required to get access to handicapped friendly staterooms?
  • Are elevator buttons low enough to reach?
  • Are corridors wide enough to pass through?

It is always advisable to ask for a copy of the ship’s deck layout. This will allow you to ask for a cabin that is best suited to your particular situation, e.g. near the lounge or elevator.

Cunard Cruises are a cruise line that will be happy to help you understand a particular ship’s limitations concerning an individual’s specific disability.

An important matter to consider is that not all ports of call are at the side of a wharf. On some occasions small boats are used to take passengers ashore from where the ship is anchored out at sea. These smaller boats are not always capable of accommodating wheelchairs and it would not be in your interests to join such a cruise.

The safest way to make sure all your needs are met, and that your voyage will be memorable for all the right reasons, is to make your booking through a reputable travel agent, or directly through the cruise company’s special service department.

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Living and Working With a Disability

Any person of sensitivity knows that living with a disability is an enormous challenge in any society. Without access to real opportunities, a disability can mean an ending to an active life.

At one time, opportunities for the disabled in the workplace were seriously limited. Many disabled people found themselves shut out of jobs by companies that saw them as “undesirable.” Sadly, many corporations and small businesses were simply not open to serving the needs of the disabled or to hiring a disabled person.

Today, however, we are fortunate to live in a time when many more employment opportunities are available to the disabled population.

What changed? In January of 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The law was a breakthrough in protecting the rights of people with disabilities, as it made it illegal to discriminate against disabled people in many avenues of American life, including in the workplace. This official act gave workplace protection to disabled people, a protection that had not been afforded this group of people in prior legislation, including the Fair Housing Act (which gave protection against housing discrimination to disabled people) and the Rehabilitation Act (which gave protection to the disabled from discrimination by people who receive federal assistance funds).

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Greater awareness of the capabilities of the disabled in the workplace has come along with new developments in resources for the disabled, including wheelchairs that provide greater mobility, and developments in computer technology that allows people with limited physical movement to be more productive on the job.

More is needed in the corporate world, as far as being open to the disabled, but progress is being made. Here at Served First, we’re committed to being part of the solution for disabled citizens everywhere.

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Guide for Becoming a Medical Caregiver Advocate

When a loved one becomes ill or is no longer able to manage their own care due to age or disability, a caregiver is designated to step in and take over. Often time the caregiver is an adult child, family member, or close relative that must make sure that everything from insurance, medicine, medical care, and medical appointments are being taken care of.

The process can be very daunting and most don’t know where to begin. These basic steps can assist with guiding a caregiver through the necessary steps of becoming a medical advocate.

  • Talk to the loved one about the role you will be taking in regards to their health care and what expectations are required from your participation.
  • Obtain official permission to act as caregiver and medical advocate. HIPAA and other laws regulate privacy, making doctors unable to speak to caregivers about medical situations without a signed HIPAA consent statement.
  • Obtain medical power of attorney to give you the right to make health care decisions when your loved one is unable to.
  • Create a care directive with your loved one. A written care directive is a statement which communicates and maps out the future medical care and treatment of the loved one when they are no longer able to communicate these wishes.
  • Organize official documents into files that include insurance information, medication, treatments, medical diagnosis, legal information, etc.
  • Education yourself on your loved one’s condition, treatments, and options. The more you know, the better you are at making confident decisions.
  • Establish a relationship with the doctor and other medical caregivers to develop mutual respect and establish shared goals.
  • Take notes and ask for copies of test results, labs, etc. during doctor visits as it can become difficult to remember everything you are told especially if seeing many different doctors and specialists.
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Fire Safety for the Elderly

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If a fire started inside your home, would you or your elderly parents be able to get out in time? Older adults are one of the fastest growing segments of the current population and one of the highest groups at risk for fire death or injury.

The elderly are at risk due to decreased mobility and slowness in reaction times, diminished sense of sight, hearing, and smell, and increased confusion, disorientation, or drowsiness due to medications

Practicing fire safety tips can greatly reduce the chance of experiencing a fire or being injured during a fire:

  • Install working smoke alarms in sleeping areas and on every level of the home
  • Test each smoke alarm on a monthly basis and change the battery once a year
  • Install a vibrating or visual alarm with strobe lights for those individuals that are hearing impaired
  • If a smoker, smoke with care. Put out cigarette debris in metal containers and make sure contents are cool and doused with water before disposal
  • When cooking foods, never leave anything unattended. Keep pot handles turned inward, watch temperatures with using oils, and make sure towels, packaging, and other flammable materials are clear of the stove top area.
  • Have heating equipment including heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces professional serviced annually.
  • Use the correct wood or proper full for heating equipment and change furnace filters monthly.
  • Have a professional electrician inspect your home for needed repairs or recommended safety features. It is most important for older homes because wiring may not be up to new safety codes or be able to handle newer appliances and equipment.
  • Clear hallways and pathways of clutter
  • Create an escape plan with several routes and have fire safety drills
  • Designate a meeting place to insure everyone has made it out safely
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Caregivers Guide to Monitors, Alarms, and Alerts

Being a caregiver to something that is disabled or to a home bound senior is not easy. You want to have the peace of mind when you can’t be around them, but at the same time allow the one your love the opportunity to live independently. That is where monitors, alarms, and alerts can come into place.

Monitors

  • Webcams

A webcam can easily be installed on a desktop, notebook, or laptop computer. It allows the caregiver the opportunity to view their loved one in real time, up close and personal, while they can also see you.

The webcam also offers other services such as web chatting with family and friends, and video transmission of current events or video classes for the home bound.

  • Video surveillance

Not only can video surveillance monitor for intruders, but they can also help you monitor those activities of a loved one. It allows the caregiver the opportunity to become aware of immediate dangers such as at risk behavior including misuse of the stove or microwave, wandering outside of the house, or medical emergencies.

Alarms

  • Personal Fall Alarms

A personal fall alarm is a device that is easily attached to a wheelchair or mattress which alerts a caregiver when their loved one tries to rise from a bed or stand up out of a wheelchair. These types of alarms are used to alert when an individual with impaired balance becomes at risk for falling or other potential dangers.

Alerts

  • Medic Alert

Medic Alert is a non-profit organization that offers 24 hour emergency identification and medical information services.  They also offer safe return a service for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer who often wander away from home.

  • Personal Emergency Alert

A personal emergency alert is a transmitter that activates a call to an emergency center to dispatch medical personnel. The individual wears a button around the neck or wrist that they can easily use to request assistance when they fall and are unable to get up or require medical care.

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Caregivers Guide to Fall Prevention

Falls in the elderly or those with disabilities can have serious consequences requiring extended time in nursing homes or rehabilitation centers. There are ways that caregivers can prepare a home to prevent unnecessary falls.

Bedroom

  • Keep a nightstand with easy reach to a phone, eyeglasses, and medications
  • Make sure the bed is adjusted to a safe and comfortable level
  • Make sure room is adequately lighted
  • Plug in nightlight and motion sensitive lights, especially to the path of the bathroom

Bathroom

  • Purchase a non-skid mat for the bathtub or shower
  • Install grab bars near tub, shower, and toilet
  • Discuss not using towel bars as grab bars or shower curtains as stabilizers
  • Purchase a shower seat for anyone that can’t stand for a period of time

Kitchen

  • Clean spills immediately with easy to reach towels
  • Close pantry doors and cabinet drawers
  • Keep frequently used items visible and at reachable levels
  • Purchase a sturdy step stool with a hand rail and a hand held reaching tool to grab items on upper shelves

Outdoors

  • Repair any cracks in the sidewalk, walkway, and driveway
  • Repair broken steps and deck handrails
  • Make sure all areas with steps have handrails
  • Keep walkways and driveway free of snow, ice, and debris

General

  • Keep walkways and paths illuminated
  • Eliminate small rugs that can easily cause tripping
  • Make sure pathways and walkways are free of debris and low standing objects
  • Install light switches at the top and bottom of stairways
  • Repair broken steps, handrails, and loose carpet
  • Add color strips to delineate stairs and changes in flooring
  • Keep wires and cords close to baseboards and away from walking paths
  • Always wear shoes that are skid proof, low healed, and easy to walk in
  • Consider purchasing a personal alarm in case of falls
  • Keep emergency numbers and medical information posted on refrigerator for emergency situations
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Travel Tips for the Disabled

Traveling can often times be challenging and is even made especially more exhausting and difficult if the traveler is disabled.  Planning ahead using a travel agent who specializes in accommodations for the disabled or making the plans independently can remove some of the stress.

Before going on the trip, plan the details as far ahead as possible. Most airlines only allow one wheelchair per plane, so call ahead before booking the flight to make sure that you can be accommodated. Contact the hotel to see if transportation to and from the airport is available with wheelchair accessibility

Research the hotel before booking a room. Hotels have a limited amount of accessible rooms so when making reservations discuss special needs including request for wheelchair ramps, in room refrigerator for medications, and lower level accommodations. Ask what services they have available for disabled travelers and have them give specific information about the room you book. Don’t forget to inquire about hotel restaurant accessibility, meals for dietary restrictions, and room service access.

Research the destination for details on accessibility. Most European cities have cobble-stone or hilly streets making it difficult to get around using a cane or wheelchair. Tall old buildings may be narrow and only have stairs to access different levels.

Pack medications with care and make sure they are part of your carry-on luggage. Request your doctor to write spare prescription using generic medicine names in case of emergency and the prescription needs to refilled in another country. Consider obtaining private health insurance that will cover you while abroad, since most carriers will only cover medical services within the US.

Make sure your wheelchair or scooter is labeled with departure information, destination information, hotel information, and home address. Call the airline at least 48 hours before you travel to ensure they have all the details of special requests that you have made. Check in early if you need help with boarding and verify that an aisle seat has been confirmed.

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Exercise and Disabilities

Exercise is an important factor in our everyday lives. Those in a wheelchair or have other physical disabilities sometimes find it hard to take care of basic needs, much less try to exercise. However, it is more important for individuals with disabilities to exercise than others.

Exercise helps to regulate blood pressure, reduce stress, manage and maintain weight, build strength and endurance, and keep our body strong. For the disabled, it even affords benefits such as better self esteem while promoting a more positive outlook on life and can help reduce fatigue.

The key factor for those with disabilities is to find the best type of exercise regimine and equipment to meet their needs. Before starting any exercise program it is important to consult with a physician. The doctor can review any medical conditions and all medications, while working with the patient to determine what physical activities are most suitable.

Individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility in the lower extremities should focus on excerices such as resitance that improves upper body strength and helps reduce chances for injury. There are many great exercise videos and even exercise classes such as the Seated Upper Body workout and the Seated Strength workout. Swimming and other water sports are also great ways to get a cardio workout along with muscle strength and endurance.

Consider signing up for a personal trainer at the gym or hire someone to come into your home. They can provide resistance training for the upper or lower body using resistance bands, free weights, resistance balls, and weight machines.

Exercise should not be all work and no game. For those with a competitive nature consider the option of an organized sport. To find an event nearby that includes archery, basketball, and the likes contact Wheelchair Sports. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disabilty offers assisance to locate local fitness programs.

Living with a physical disability can be a challenge and exercise thought as a burden, but with a little guidance and support the individual can be on their way to a less stressful and healthier life.

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Integrating Technology

One of the tenants of the ADA of 1990 is in regards to ‘reasonable accommodations.’ This idea requires employers to reasonably accommodate the needs of their disabled employees A good example of this is ensuring that hallways and walkways are large enough to accommodate wheelchairs. One of the primary applications of this tenant is strategies that aim to make assistive technology easily used in the office space.

Assistive technologies are items that allow disabled people to effectively manage their lives and their jobs. Crutches, wheelchairs and walkers are all examples of assistive technology. The problem with these technologies in a traditional work place is that they often don’t ‘fit.’ For example, slick floor surfaces may make using walkers or crutches actually difficult and dangerous. Older buildings that do not offer elevator access make access difficult for employees with mobility issues. The examples go on and on.

Unfortunately, employers often only see the dollar signs attached to including assistive technology into their office plan. While it can be expensive to implement reasonable changes, in many cases, the changes actually improve the quality of their workforce. Without rules and regulations governing the need to accommodate assistive technologies into the workforce whenever it is reasonable, many more disabled Americans would be without work.

It is unfortunate that we, as a civilized society, need to rely on laws to ensure our disabled citizens do not face discrimination. It is hopeful that over the next few years more and more employers will implement programs that take assistive technology in mind. Only by developing work spaces, policies and guidelines within companies themselves can we hope to completely remove the stigma of disability in the workforce. The rules passed by the government are a good start, but they simply are not enough. In spite of 20 years of legislation we will have far too many unemployed disabled people.

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