December 2022 Newsletter - Holiday Edition |
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As we approach the holiday season, how can we make sure everyone feels included? Read more to learn more! |
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Disability Inclusion Tips for the Holidays: Hosting a holiday party or event this year? How can you make it more disability-friendly? Here's how - Ensure the entrance to event is accessible and all areas of the venue are accessible (elevators, ramps). Large, accessible bathrooms Have a "quiet room" available for people who may get overstimulated by loud noise/music/many people. Provide a sign-language interpreter for any relevant lectures/sermons. Provide a zoom option and enable closed captioning.
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Let's Learn About: AAC Device AAC stands for "augmentative & alternative communication device." It "is a tablet or laptop that helps someone with a speech or language impairment to communicate. The term AAC device is often used interchangeably with terms like speech-generating device (SGD) or assistive communication device or simply communication device." "AAC devices help users to communicate through a combination of words, sentences, and images that the device then “says out loud.” Additionally, users can also communicate by typing or drawing, sharing pictures and videos, or even repeating words they hear out loud." AAC devices allow users to be more independant, communicate with others, create relationships, & improve language skills. People who use AAC devices often have Autism, Aphasia, Apraxia, Dysarthria, Traumatic Brain Injury, or Developmental Disabilities.
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Children's Books Featuring AAC Devices: |
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Disability History Tidbit - Ed Roberts: Edward Verne Roberts was an "American disability rights activist who is considered the founder of the independent-living movement." He contracted Polio at age 14 and required the use of an Iron Lung to survive and attended high school over the phone until Senior Year, where he went in-person. "In 1962, after two years of attending a local college, he was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley, but the university, which had been unaware of his disability when he applied, refused to admit him on the grounds that his iron lung would not fit in a dormitory room. Roberts challenged the administration and ultimately was admitted." "While at Berkeley, he worked with the university to develop the Physically Disabled Students Program, a program run by and for disabled students to provide wheelchair repair, attendant referral, peer counseling, and other services that would enable them to live in the community." "In 1972 Roberts and other members of the Physically Disabled Students Program came together in Berkeley to found the Center for Independent Living, an advocacy group that fought for changes that would give people with disabilities access to community life. The group’s first success was its campaign to persuade the city of Berkeley to install curb cuts, permitting wheelchair access." "In 1976 Roberts was appointed director of the California Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, an agency that in 1962 had deemed Roberts too disabled to hold a job. As director, he facilitated the establishment of independent living centres throughout the state."
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