News

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 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.

Software Update: Customized Speech Rates

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Software Update Customized Speech Rates

In our latest update of the autonoME software, our engineers have created an option for End Users to manage and customize the rate at which their automated speech plays back ranging from fast, medium, and slow, as well as a default setting.

The update was inspired by the real-life experience of an autonoME user who is currently using the platform as an alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) device, Ken Thompson. Mr. Thompson spoke with one of our team members, Delaney Shepherd, during an in-service visit. He expressed the importance of having his new voice, generated by the autonoME device, speak with a cadence that better resembles his own. Mr. Thompson’s insight into the importance of working with users to create a voice that feels more like their own served as an “Ah-Ha” moment for our team. He currently relies on the autonoME to communicate with his co-workers during meetings but there are numerous other ways this can be beneficial.

Effective communication is extremely important to our End Users. Now, autonoME users have more options and are able to mirror their natural speaking timbre by adjusting the speed at which the augmentative speech is played back.

Breakthrough in MS Research: The Epstein Barr Connection

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Breakthrough in MS Research: The Epstein Barr Connection

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a possible link between multiple sclerosis (MS) and the Epstein-Barr virus.  Epstein Barr is carried by approximately 95% of adults, and although it can be connected to mononucleosis and some rare cancers, most people are unaffected by the virus.

MS is considered to be an autoimmune disease. However, a new Harvard Medical School study points to evidence that MS may actually be a complication of the Epstein Barr virus. If this is the case, then antivirals that target Epstein Barr could be used to treat MS in the future. Even more promising is the fact that Moderna – the drug company that created the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 – has begun phase 1 trials of an Epstein Barr vaccine. While it’s still too early to tell, if MS is truly a complication of the Epstein Barr virus, then antivirals and vaccines may help put an end to MS and the devastating effects it often has on those with the disease.

Accessibility Services, Inc. is honored to work with individuals with MS, helping those with the most progressive forms of the disease reclaim their independence.  It is our sincerest hope that this promising new research will help make MS a disease of the past.

Read more about this breakthrough Epstein-Barr and MS research.

Shawn Bradley: Former NBA Player Brings Light to Gaps in Customized Care

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autonoME

Longtime basketball fans will remember the No. 2 pick in the 1993 NBA draft, Shawn Bradley, his 12 seasons as a dependable defender on the court, and his towering height. In January of 2021, Bradley’s life was changed by a cycling accident and suddenly the height that had played a major role in his life was becoming a hindrance in his treatment and recovery.

As Bradley and his family waited three weeks in the ICU for updates on his condition, it was already clear that his height (7 feet 6 inches) would add complications to his care. After inspecting his spinal cord, a surgeon diagnosed Bradley with C6 quadriplegia. An injury like his often results in a loss of sensation and function from the top of the rib cage down as well as a lack of strength and functionality in the triceps and muscles in a hands and forearms. Typically, people with this diagnosis will still maintain control of their shoulders and biceps.

Bradley was eventually moved to an inpatient neurological rehab wing where his care team worked to solve a unique challenge. Dr. Bryndon Hatch, the leader of Bradley’s recovery team, visited past cases, conducted some research, and consulted with peers. He discovered that finding an established plan for managing quadriplegia for a patient at this height was uncommon.

Dr. Hatch and the team of therapists working with Bradley had to completely redesign their approach, processes, and equipment to accommodate his unique circumstances:

  • Bradley was unable to fit in the hospital shower, so he had to be moved to a separate space for bathing.
  • Due to his size—now weighing 350 pounds—nursing staff and therapists had to learn a new way to transfer him from beds, chairs, and exam tables.
  • The utter depth of his torso required the team to reconfigure an ultrasound machine.
  • A padded table was placed at the end of his hospital bed so his feet would not hang off the end.
  • A custom power wheelchair had to be designed specifically for Bradley, and while he waited patiently for it, he was forced to use a makeshift headrest made of padding duct-taped to a board and fixed to the largest chair available.

As you can see, Bradley’s height shed a light on gaps in assistive technology and occupational therapy treatments and the importance of customizing patient care.

“Accessibility for all,” is the cornerstone of our research and development at Accessibility Services, Inc. as we continue to improve on the autonoME assistive technology platform. Customizing an individual’s transitional care ecosystem to cater specifically to their needs is exactly what we mean when we say, “…start with the customer and work backwards.”

Learn about the autonoME Residential System.

Read full story

Accessibility Services, Inc. Partners with World’s Largest Connected TV Influencer to Enhance Software for Individuals with Severe Disabilities

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ASI Partners

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) announced today their partnership with Play.Works and a subsequent roll-out of breakthrough software enhancements designed to help individuals with severe disabilities enjoy an accessible and therapeutic game experience. ASI, a respected assistive technology developer and industry leader for more than three decades, has taken its signature autonoME software to the next level by making popular app-based games accessible to all:

  • Games such as Bubble Match, Text Twist, Word Sensei, Letter Sensei and more are now integrated into ASI’s proprietary autonoME system
  • Game timers have been removed for a more inclusive experience
  • Control menus have been added to accommodate any input method (i.e., voice, touch, sip and puff, head tracking, eye gaze, etc.)

ASI primarily serves individuals with severe spinal cord injuries and progressive diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The autonoME is the first and only integrated environmental control unit (ECU) and speech generating device with full augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and computing capabilities. It allows users to have full control of their environment and gives them the ability to generate speech.

According to Brice Green, ASI’s Vice President of Business Development, autonoME games integration not only helps keep users engaged, but it also boosts morale as users are now able to participate in some of the activities they once enjoyed, but in a new, accessible way.

“Individuals with disabilities are too often overlooked by developers of software and technology,” says Green. “Our mission has been and always will be to serve the needs of the underserved community of those with the severest disabilities. Our developers are continually seeking new ways to improve the quality of software and assistive technology for each individual we touch on their journey to a more independent and accessible life.”

Green says he has spoken with occupational therapists and speech language pathologists who have provided some encouraging early feedback.

“Some therapists have expressed interest and are exploring the possibility of using these games for at-home therapies and cognitive practices,” explains Green. “Word games, for instance, could help individuals improve cognitive skills while match games can help strengthen their ability to use different input methods.”

Green says autonoME users who have been affected by a stroke or other brain trauma that affect cognitive processes may find the games to be an effective way to practice word association, spelling, and vocabulary.

“It’s a fun and engaging way to essentially retrain the brain,” says Green.

The autonoME is available in three models.  The autonoME Residential is a light-weight mobile device that incorporates Microsoft’sÒ trusted Surface Pro as the platform for environmental control, computer access and AAC using ASI’s proprietary software. The portable autonoMEgo features a 17” display, articulating arm and optional eye gaze control access method for healthcare facilities needing a more modern and modular approach to care. The autonoME Hospital incorporates a single 22” monitor that also allows patients to watch broadcast, streaming and cable television.

For more information please visit https://accessibilityservices.com/.

WPT Play
WPT Play
WPT Play 2
WPT Play 2
Text Twist Play
Text Twist Play
Text Twist Play 2
Text Twist Play 2
Play.Works Menu
Play.Works Menu
Bubble Jam Play
Bubble Jam Play

Proudly Serving Those Who Have Served and Sacrificed

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Accessibility Services, Inc.

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) is extremely excited to welcome the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation and their “Let Us Do Good Village” to the neighborhood.

The foundation was started in honor of fallen firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller and other first responders who gave their lives on September 11th, 2001. They have broken ground on a one-of-a-kind community of approximately 100 mortgage free homes exclusively for seriously injured veterans and families of fallen military members and first responders.

The community, aptly named “Let Us Do Good Village,” is being built in Land O’Lakes of Pasco County, Florida which is very close to one of ASI’s offices. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome these amazing people to the area!

“ASI salutes the efforts of Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation and all of the exemplary work they do to support families of first responders and military who have given so much to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy,” says Lisa Swiger, President of Accessibility Services, Inc. “ASI was founded to serve disabled veterans. We have since expanded our mission to help all individuals with severe spinal cord injuries, progressive illnesses and other disabilities, but we are still passionate about the military and wholeheartedly support the mission of worthy organizations such as Tunnel 2 Towers.”

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pasco/land-olakes-to-become-home-to-one-of-a-kind-community

Software Update: Control Your Environment Without Interrupting Your Entertainment

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Latest Software Updates

Control Your Environment Without Interrupting Your Entertainment

A new update to the autonoME Hospital software now allows users to control their environment without interrupting their favorite movies and television shows.

Previously, when a user needed to adjust the position of their bed or turn on/off their lights, they would have to exit the television portion of the autonoME device and access the proper ECU screen. Now, a new control menu gives users the opportunity to easily control their bed and turn lights on and off, all while continuing to enjoy the entertainment portion of the autonoME.

“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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