Community Connections & Resources

A Guide to Accessible Halloween Costumes for Wheelchair Users

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A Guide to Accessible Halloween Costumes for Wheelchair Users

September 20, 2023

It’s October in just a few short days and you know what that means; time to start planning your next award-winning costume!

Whether you’re more of a spooky costume person, or you prefer the fun and whimsical, we’ve got some tricks and treats to keep your Halloween spook-tacularly accessible.

Creative & Adaptive DIY Costume Ideas

Maybe you’re headed to a local Fall Festival, or gathering with friends and family, perhaps you’re on candy duty. No matter your plans for Halloween, dressing up can be fun for everyone.

Looking for that perfect fit, but not sure where to begin? Sometimes all you need to do is take a look around the room! This year it’s all about DIY. Check out these awesome ideas to get in the spirit.

  • Mermaid
    When it comes to transforming into a mermaid it’s all about you and the details. In a pinch, you can always use blankets or Snuggies shaped as mermaid tails to stay warm, then decorate your chair with nautical themed items like rope, fish, seashells, and anything else that reminds you of life under the sea!
  • Game Show Contestant
    Game show participants wear their own clothes, making this an easy costume for anyone. Just add the right accessories and you’re on your way to being a WINNER! Want to be on the Price is Right? All you need is some colorful construction paper, ribbon, and cardboard. Cut out a price tag from yellow construction paper and write your name on it and pin it to your shirt. Then grab your cardboard and green construction paper, write your winning bid, and fasten it around you with some ribbon. Always dreamed of singing your heart out on American Idol? It’s as easy as 1, 2, print! Just print their logo on a white sheet of paper, add some  numbers, and pin it to your shirt. Bonus points if you can add a golden ticket or microphone.
  • Bubble Bath
    Splish splash! All you need is blue and white balloons to make this costume fresh and clean. After they’re all blown up, attach them all around you and your chair. Then, grab your rubber ducky, shower cap, and loofah, and enjoy the festivities.
  • DJ
    Ready to spin the night away on the 1’s and 2’s? Then put on your headphones and let’s rock! Exercise your creativity with this costume by decorating a cardboard box to make your custom DJ booth and fit it around your chair. Go as bold as you’d like with battery powered lights, cardboard vinyls, or maybe you’re entertaining the crowd with your laptop. In this accessible costume, you’ll be 2 legit 2 quit!
  • Raining Cats & Dogs
    If puns are your thing, then this costume idea is right up your alley, cat! You’re going to need an umbrella, some ribbons, and well, some cats and dogs. When it comes to your furry accessories you can either print and cut out pictures of cats and dogs, or if you’ve got a few stuffed animals lying around, those will work too.  Tie the ribbon around your cut-outs or stuffed animals, then attach them to the inside of your umbrella. Then, have a friend attach your umbrella to your chair.

Where to find accessible & adaptive costumes?

DIY not for you? Or, maybe you’re looking for the perfect accessories? We’ve found some awesome retailers that carry accessible and adaptive costumes, as well as the perfect final details for any costume.

  1. Target
  2. Hyde & Eek!
  3. Spirit Halloween
  4. Family Halloween Store

Looking for more spooky inspiration?

If you need a little more inspiration before you get started, check these out:

 

Don’t forget to share your Halloween spirit with Team ASI by sharing your costume on our Facebook page!

Remote Work: Changing the Office Landscape, Creating More Accessibility for People with Disabilities

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Remote Work: Changing the Office Landscape

August 30, 2023

Labor Day is just around the corner, so let’s talk labor (i.e., the workplace), how it’s changed, and the opportunities that Remote Work has created for individuals living with disabilities.

Recent data shows the number of people with disabilities finding gainful, accessible employment is increasing. Disability advocates are pointing to the rise in remote work options.

autonoME users who are unable to travel to a physical job site have a distinct advantage when it comes to working from home. The autonoME offers full computing and communication capabilities that can be tailored to meet both their needs and the needs of employers.

In August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly report on employment indicated that approximately 6.3 million individuals with disabilities from ages 16 to 64 were employed the previous month. This report highlights an increase of about 700,000 employment opportunities filled by people with disabilities when compared with July 2022. This, after the previous increase from September 2021 to September 2022 of about 500,000, seems to reveal a correlation between the growth in jobs being filled by individuals with disabilities and the rise in remote work culture.

“The rising employment numbers for people with disabilities is an extremely positive, encouraging sign that will hopefully continue,” said Amy E. Scherer of the National Disability Rights Network. “The subsequent labor shortage in the wake of the [COVID-19] pandemic has also likely had an impact.”

Remote work has proven to be an accessible option for people with disabilities and has assisted them in finding and maintaining employment, according to Maryland-based lawyer and community relations manager to accessiBe (web-based accessibility hub), Josh Basile.

“There is no hiding the fact that thanks to the pandemic, remote work played a key role in the rising statistics of workers with disabilities,” Basille said. “Remote work is a great reasonable accommodation for both workers with and without disabilities.”

Return to Office Mandates? What are Workers with Disabilities Saying?

Basile has lived with quadriplegia since 2004. That’s the year he experienced a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed just below the shoulders. He, like many autonoME Users, relies on assistive technology, customized computers, and the Internet to perform daily tasks and many of his job responsibilities.

Basile says that remote work has allowed him and others within the disabled community to avoid the stressful obstacles that can come with commuting to the office.

“Unreliable transportation to and from work creates major barriers and unnecessary loss of time,” says Basile. “The bottom line is that remote work WORKS and it helps people with disabilities to work at their highest levels by creating a more barrier-free environment.”

Scherer noted that people living with physical disabilities have struggled to maintain jobs due to difficulties traveling to the office for years. However remote work has given these employees a chance to secure steady work, especially in rural areas without reliable public transportation.

“Remote work can also be advantageous for individuals with disabilities who have stamina issues,” she said. “For example, it may be easier for remote workers to take short breaks or briefly step away from their workspace when working remotely.”

Harvard University cited reports showing employees with and without disabilities who work remotely are often more productive, and prefer remote work, because it provides them with more flexibility, a better work/life balance, and allows them to save on commuting expenses.

Flexibility. Work/Life Balance. Remote Work.

According to Josh Basile, employers that are asking workers to return to the office may not realize the impact for workers with disabilities. Returning to the office can be both positive and negative depending on the employee, the industry, the business itself, and any barriers that exist.

“This should be looked at on a case-by-case basis,” explained Basile. “For some, this could be detrimental and for others, it could be for the best. Not all workers with disabilities want to work remotely. Many, like myself do prefer working from home or through a hybrid approach.”

Scherer, who is the senior staff attorney for vocational rehabilitation with the National Disability Rights Network explains that if remote work proves effective for employees with disabilities, it could be a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Scherer implores companies to continue to offer flexibility in the workplace, not just for employees with disabilities, but for everyone.

“Each person’s individual, specific circumstances would need to be examined to see if such an accommodation would be appropriate,” she said. “Hopefully, though, the pandemic has helped many employers to realize that coming to an office building each and every day is not necessarily the key to having productive employees.”

Whether you work from home or at an office/job site, Team ASI is here for you. If you already have an autonoME and are seeking job opportunities, contact your Product Representative to discuss how the autonoME can be customized to help you perform your work duties. If you are not an autonoME user and want to learn more about how it can help you achieve independence at home AND open up new job opportunities, we would love to talk with you. Please reach out and we will have one of our Product Representatives contact you today!

Fall for Pumpkin Season with Accessible Activities

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Fall for Pumpkin Season with Accessible Activities

August 22, 2023

Are you ready to fall for autumn?

Fall is just around the corner, bringing with it sweater weather, cozy nights, festive decor, and colorful foliage. Whether it’s the changing of the leaves that you love, or you’re already excited about Halloween, there are plenty of accessible ways to enjoy the year’s most popular season:

Start the car & enjoy the scenery. Maybe you’re in the mood for a road trip, or a drive around the block. Taking a drive to check out some breathtaking fall foliage is a great accessible way to enjoy the autumn season. Check out this interactive 2023 Fall Foliage Prediction Map to see when and where peak colors are expected.

Spice it up in the kitchen. Fall is the perfect time to fine-tune those chili spices or try a new apple or pumpkin treat. Maybe it’s an old family recipe, or you want to make something from scratch!

It’s never too early to start on your Halloween costume. Just because you may not be trick-or-treating this year doesn’t mean you have to skip out on creating a great costume. Check out this list of Easy and Accessible Halloween Costumes from Mobility Works.

Decorate your space with homemade fall crafts. Exercise your DIY skills with a custom wreath, or grab some mason jars, twinkle lights, and burlap to create a beautiful fall-themed piece for your mantle or table. Here’s a list from Country Living to spark your creativity.

Stream a scary movie with Netflix on your autonoME. Who doesn’t love a virtual scary movie marathon? The popcorn. The spooky sounds. The laughter as you and your friends and family catch each other jumping at each twist in the plot! autonoME Users can sign-in and stream movies and shows on Netflix right from their device. Need help getting started? Check out our video autonoME User Guide: Netflix.

Carve pumpkins with friends & family. Carving pumpkins is a fall classic! Whether your gourds are from the local pumpkin patch or the grocery store, picking the perfect one and imagining what it will be is exciting and quintessentially autumn. And now, there are so many options! Knives and seed-scooping not your thing? Look for pumpkin decorating stickers online or at your favorite hobby store. If decorating pumpkins feels daunting, host a contest with friends and family. Create categories, judge everyone’s creativity and skills, and give prizes to the winners.

These are just a few options for accessible fall activities, but the possibilities are endless! From staying cozy at home, to getting out and exploring, or spending time with friends and family, this fall, there’s something for everyone.

Accessible Tips for Celebrating the Fourth of July

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Accessible Tips for Celebrating the Fourth of July

What are you doing for the Fourth of July? Fireworks? Cookout? No matter how you choose to celebrate the birth of America, Team ASI has some tips on how to ensure your Independence Day festivities are accessible for everyone!

Tips for the Host

If you’re the party planner in the group and hosting a gathering for friends and family this year, begin by providing accessible tables and counter heights for board games, food, and crafts to ensure all your guests can have a great time and participate in the fun. Also, consider having additional accessible activity options on-hand for a more inclusive and exciting celebration.

Show Off Your Star Spangled Style

Why should the decorations stop at garlands and flags around the house? Put on your favorite red, white, and blue shirt, grab some festive glasses or a hat, and maybe even some streamers, battery powered lights, or a flag for your power wheelchair. This can be a fun way to show your holiday spirit. The possibilities are endless when you make the Fourth of July accessible for everyone!

If you decide to get creative, we’d love to see pictures of your celebration! Don’t forget to share them with us on Facebook.

More Tips For a Safe, Accessible, and Fun Holiday

  • Double check your assistive tech batteries.
    • Make sure your autonoME is fully charged, your power chair is ready, and have any other items you may need before you begin your celebration.
  • Hosts, be sure to create flat, moveable, safe surfaces.
    • Grilling, relaxing, and chatting with friends make backyards popular spaces for the Fourth of July. They can also be uneven and make maneuvering for your guests a bit treacherous. Take time to make sure there are safe places for you and your friends to move around and use flags or other yard decorations to mark out pathways for your guests.
  • Where are the fireworks? Plan ahead.
    • Loud noises can be triggering and cause discomfort for many people. Check on times and locations for local fireworks and keep the group in the loop! This gives everyone the chance to prepare to enjoy the festivities in a way that makes them comfortable.
  • Too loud? Keep headphones close.
    • Headphones, ear plugs, or anything that allows you to block loud noises when they get to be too much allows you to comfortably enjoy the show.
  • Bring snacks, drink plenty of water, take care, and enjoy!
    • If you’re traveling in your power chair to watch the fireworks, check the venue ahead of time to find out where the accessible areas are located. Also, be sure to bring a light jacket, water, snacks, and anything else you may need.

Planning to Stay Inside?

Staying inside this year and celebrating Independence Day? Don’t forget, you can stream holiday content right on your autonoME!

  • Watch fireworks displays and stream your favorite songs about livin’ in the USA via the YouTube app.
  • Read a book about the history of America on the Kindle app.
  • Connect with friends on Zoom for autonoME.
  • Watch documentaries and films about our founding fathers via the Netflix app.

Remember, Fourth of July celebrations are better when everyone can participate!

 

Accessible Memorial Day Activities

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Accessible Memorial Day Activities

Memorial Day is a time to recognize the brave United States armed forces service members who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for their country. Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) is passionate about recognizing all those who have served, but we hold a very special place in our hearts for those who perished in the line of duty.

Team ASI will be honoring military heroes in various ways this Memorial Day. We encourage you to also take this day to remember and honor those who have perished. We’ve made a list of accessible Memorial Day activities to help you participate in this cherished day of remembrance.

Donate flowers to a soldier’s grave

This is a great activity for everyone – including caregivers and family members – to participate in to honor our country’s fallen military heroes. The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation needs volunteers to place flowers in front of headstones at National Cemeteries throughout the country. As each flower is placed, volunteers quietly read the inscription and thank the deceased military member for their service and sacrifice.

Help build a home for a Veteran

Building Homes for Heroes has volunteer opportunities for everyone. This nationwide partnership of communities and corporations work together to make our country a better place by serving our nation’s heroes. Building Homes for Heroes hopes to reach 343 homes by Sept. 11, 2023 – in honor of the 343 FDNY firefighters who died on 9/11 – and a milestone 400th home by 2024.

Shop at a Veteran-Owned business

Supporting Veteran-Owned businesses is easy and helps support those who have served. Additionally, it’s an opportunity to shop local and support your community. Simply conduct a Google search for “veteran owned businesses near me” to get started.

Learn to play a patriotic song or create your own playlist

Dust off your six-string and practice strumming a patriotic tune!  Use the autonoME to browse YouTube for your favorite songs like, “God Bless the USA.”  Echoes of Heroes also has some great resources. Check out their video gallery of original patriotic songs.

Watch the PBS Memorial Day Concert

You can watch this special concert to commemorate service members who have perished in the line of duty live from your autonoME on Sunday May 28th.

Click to Stream

Take a virtual tour of the White House

Technology gives us the opportunity to experience places we might otherwise not be able to see. Head to Google Arts & Culture to tour historical American places, including the White House.

Make your own Memorial Day poppy

Poppies, specifically red poppies, are worn to commemorate the sacrifices made during wartime by U.S. soldiers. Making a Memorial Day poppy pin is fun and easy. There are many online resources outlining how to do it. Here is one of our faves.

Write letters to soldiers

A Million Thanks supports active duty military and their families by sending cards and letters of appreciation to U.S. service members around the world.

Pack care packages for soldiers

Operation Gratitude has delivered nearly four million care packages to members of the United States military and first responders over the past 20 years.

Donate or Volunteer

Adopt a soldier

Ladies of Liberty supports women who are serving overseas. Soldier Angels are needed to help provide personal care items (i.e., lotion, body wash, hairbands, shampoo, etc.) as well a leisure materials such as books, magazines, adult coloring books, etc.

Attend a Memorial Day parade

Memorial Day parades occur in most major cities and in many suburban areas throughout the country. Simply conduct a quick Google search for “Memorial Day parades and activities near me” to find out what is happening in your area. Oh, and don’t forget to wear your paper poppy pin you made!

Participate in the Veterans Heritage Project

The Veterans Heritage Project connects students with veterans to help preserve their stories for generations to come. Scholarship opportunities are available for participating students. Get involved by making a donation or volunteering.

Watch Films

Watch films like Black Hawk Down, Megan Leavey & Max, and Saving Private Ryan – based on the lives of real service members, their courage, and the sacrifice’s they’ve made for their country.

Cemetery Visit

Visit your local cemetery and volunteer to leave flags on the graves of soldiers.

Share

Try a new recipe and share with friends and neighbors, holding a moment of silence for fallen service members.

Donate to the USO

The USO was founded more than 80 years ago and still stands strong today. Consider supporting this worthy cause that provides various types of support to active duty service members.

Quilts of Valor®

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Brian Newton

Did you know that Maggie Thompson, owner of Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI), is an avid and talented quilter?  She handcrafts some of the most beautiful and unique pieces of quilt artwork you will ever see.  Thompson has become involved with an exciting organization called the Quilts of Valor Foundation.  Their mission is to, “cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.”

Thompson recently donated two of her handmade quilts to ASI clients who are also military veterans:

Bryan Camacho, United States Army (Ret.)

Bryan Camacho served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from July 2002 until February 2013.  His deployments included three tours in Iraq.  During his third tour in 2007, he was paralyzed by an improvised explosive device (IED). Camacho spent 2.5 years in therapy and another 2.5 years in the U.S. Army before receiving a medical retirement. In November 2014, he sustained a further neck injury in a motor vehicle accident.

“This is probably the nicest quilt I’ve been given,” says Camacho.  “While I am a little uncomfortable receiving gifts for my service, I do appreciate the people that want to offer. I also didn’t expect such a nice quilt and I want to keep it in great condition!”

Brian Newton, United States Air Force VeteranBrian Newton

Brian Newton served in the U.S. Air Force for nine years.  He was a staff sergeant and air traffic controller who was deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch.  He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 45.  He received his first autonoME in 2014 and enjoys the independence it affords him.

“The quilt by Maggie is so nice,” says Newton. “The time and dedication to detail is unbelievable and noted. I appreciate her and Accessibility Services, Inc. for the commitment and support I feel on a daily basis.”

Read more about Brian Newton

THANK YOU Bryan and Brian for the sacrifices you’ve made to preserve our freedoms and protect our country!

 

Former Indy Car Racer Sam Schmidt Hasn’t Allowed His Spinal Cord Injury to Sideline His Love for Driving

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assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias

Indy Car racer Sam Schmidt sustained a C-3/4/5 spinal cord injury in 2000 while practicing for the season opener. As a result, he was paralyzed from the neck down. Now an Indy Racing League owner, Schmidt was able to finally get back behind the wheel thanks to advancements in assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias. Today, he finds independence and respite while driving his 650HP Chevrolet Corvette. Schmidt uses equipment similar to a custom environmental control unit to operate the vehicle using his eyes and a straw – much like the Eye Gaze and sip and puff features of the autonoME ECU devices.  Take a look:

View Video

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) salutes inspiring individuals like Schmidt who beat the odds and found independence despite his spinal cord injury. Schmidt also works to promote research and advocacy for individual with quadriplegias and those with spinal cord injuries through his foundation, Conquer Paralysis Now™.

ASI specializes in developing revolutionary assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS).  Our proprietary autonoME is a custom environmental control unit/speech generating device with integrated computer capabilities.  The autonoME Hospital is the first hospital ECU to also incorporate a full television experience.  If you would like to learn more about our autonoME Residential, autonoME Hospital or portable autonoMEgo, one of our product representatives will be happy to schedule either a live or virtual demonstration.  Give us a call to learn more today!

The autonoME Making a Difference at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital

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the children's center

Special thank you to The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany, Oklahoma for this wonderful article and update on how the autonoME is making a difference in the lives of the children they serve!

Accessibility Services (ASI) worked with The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital to develop and install a customized autonoME hospital system for inpatients and an autonoME system in an AT lab for outpatient demonstrations.

ASI’s Vice President, Brice Green, consulted with the facilities manager at The Children’s Center and customized the autonoME to meet the hospital’s specifications. Heather Giordano M.S., CCC-SLP, Product Rep. and ASI’s in-house national certified speech and language pathologist provided on-site consultation on customizing the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specifically for their patients.

“Knowing that a child who is unable to communicate can now express their thoughts and feelings makes what we do so worthwhile,” explains Green, “And, giving children with disabilities the ability to perform tasks that most people take for granted – such as changing channels on the television or turning on the lights – makes a tremendous difference in the lives of these children and their families. We are honored to be part of the ‘miracles’ that The Children’s Center make happen every day.”

Read what the Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital had to say about the autonoME Hospital Solution.

In Memory of ALS Activist Patrick Quinn

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In Memory of ALS Activist Patrick Quinn

Patrick Quinn, co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, has passed away at age 37.  He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) shortly after his 30th birthday.  He partnered with Peter Frates, an ALS activist and captain of the Boston College baseball team, to create the Ice Bucket Challenge.  The fundraiser – where participants were challenged to post a video of themselves dumping buckets of ice water over their heads – raised more than $220 million for ALS medical research and garnered the attention of celebrities including Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

The staff at Accessibility Services, Inc. even joined in on the fun, raising money for the cause and posting our own Ice Bucket Challenge video:

ALS is now one of the most recognized diseases on the planet, thanks to the Ice Bucket Challenge. The impact Mr. Quinn made in the fight again ALS continues as medical researchers make strides in developing new treatments as they progress toward finding a cure.

We salute you, Mr. Quinn.  You may be gone, but your legacy and work toward finding a cure for ALS will continue to live on. Thank you. May you rest in peace.

View Quinn for the Win Facebook Page.

Neither ALS Nor Covid-19 Kept This Father From His Son’s Games

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Neither ALS Nor Covid-19

As a premier provider of assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases, we work with many clients affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). So, when a story like this catches our eyes, we feel compelled to share!

Jim Hilliard is a retired orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon diagnosed with ALS in 2018.  His son, Sam Hilliard, is a rookie outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.  Although COVID-19 is keeping fans out of baseball stadiums nationwide, Hillard and his wife Tamara were able to watch their son play live.  Team management granted special permission for the Hilliard’s and their daughter-in-law to attend an exhibition game and the Rockies first game of the season.

Hilliard made is major league debut last August and has been working to raise money for ALS research ever since. His mom, a former Miss Texas, has played an integral role in these efforts.

Read More

At Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI), we continue to be inspired by stories like these.  Nearly three decades ago, our founder, Fred Thompson, founded ASI to help those with disabilities become more independent. Today, ASI is a leading provider of assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases such as ALS. In fact, our autonoME – a combined environmental control unit / speech generating device with voice assistive technology –  has become a preferred ALS communication device for individuals throughout the country affected by this devastating disease. If you would like to learn more about how the autonoME can help you, your loved one or patients, give us a call to schedule a consultation today!

“Start with the customer and work backwards.”

Fred Thompson

See why clients, therapists, and caregivers choose Accessibility Services for their Environmental Control and Communication needs.

Accessibility Services

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