Picking a college isn't as easy as learning your ABC's, especially when you have a disability

Okay,

Today's post has to do with important topic in terms of people with disabilities and their education. The topic is: disability friendly environment colleges. I have to admit I was one of the lucky ones because I found a college willing to do anything to anything they could to make my college experience a successful one. But I realize not everyone is that lucky because of a variety of circumstances. Whether it be financial or otherwise. For that reason, I chose those topic. I know the article I am summarizing is a couple of years old, but I think it still has good advice.

Since they were unable to evaluate every college or university, New Mobility Magazine used the top 50 colleges and universities listed in US news & World Report as a standard. Unfortunately, only 34 of the responded in time for inclusion in the article. The schools are ranked in no
particular order or category. Out of those 34, some generalizations could be made in terms of accommodations made for people with disabilities. These accommodations range from a basic (i.e. handicapped accessible classrooms, adaptive technology) to the more comprehensive programs (help with career planning and to programs focused on disability management . Some of these colleges are listed below.

1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
   
   At one point, this college was known for its college assistance in helping to provide everything disability related. This includes everything from personal assistance to on-site course assessment. During this process, a disability advisor looks over a student's course schedule and notes possible barriers to a student's success. They look at the whole picture in terms of disability, personality, social life, and academics. This includes advising students based on personal differences such as endurance (in completing assignments), travel time etc. While they still provide background checks as they did in 1994 to students hiring personal care assistants, they now leave it up to the students to hire and fire care assistants on their own.
2. University of California at Berkeley
   
   This university also focuses on such topics as "student empowerment". For example, the personal assistant program is primarily for students who had no prior experience directing their own care. Like Illinois, potential assistants are screened by the program manager, but it is left up to the student to go through the interview process. After two years, they are able to live independently on their own. The University also provides such services as wheelchair maintenance and their own transportation system that provides service for anyone who is disabled and whose calls are within the city limits.
3. Edinboro, University of Pennsylvania
   
   University of Pennsylvania is well known for its on-site residence where personal care assistants and disabled students live in the same building. In the Schaeffer and scanton residence hall, there is personal care assistants available 24/7 seven days a week .
4. University of Wisconsin
   
   On the Madison campus, the college is best known for its Disability Resource Center as well as mentoring program. As part of the program, staff workers provide a list of accommodations that this student needs. Then, all the student needs to do is present it to the teacher and then they work together and negotiate changes. It also offers people with disabilities access to course materials and homework electronically.
   
   The Whitewater campus is also known for being the most accessible across the nation. Along with being physically accessible, but campus also ensures for their physical needs, by providing physical as well as occupational therapy.
   

--

Ross, Rachel. "Disability-friendly Colleges." newmobility.com September 1998 . 21 March 2007 http://www.newmobility.com/review_article.cfm?id=122&action=browse

Encouragement: "When I Thought As a Child ".

Yes, you guessed itl

Those pictures are in fact during various stages of my life. I apologize for the poor picture quality, but my dad isn't around to let me use his digital camera memory chip and show me how to transfer pictures from it to my computer. For that reason, I have chosen to capture pictures using my web cam. Anyway, these pictures feature just some of the highlights in my life-ranging from now (just sitting in front of my computer and relaxing while I have the time) to my senior picture after graduating from high school.

But why the sudden trip down memory lane, you ask?

Good question. Truth of the matter is, I'm not quite sure myself. I haven't had the best of weeks in terms of dealing with my disability and changes taking place in my life. You see, plans to move out with my friends fell through yet again; this leaves me back where I started-looking for job and unsure about what the future holds for me. To add to it, my dad isn't around to help out with things. I really don't know how one does it, juggling household chores as well as dealing with a young daughter who has a disability. Sometimes I don't give her enough credit for what she does do for me, let alone accomplish goals in her own life. Take for example, her long term dream of playing the piano. I don't know how long it's been since she first started, but in my estimation she's playing terrific for someone who just started two years ago. (Mom, that's supposed to be a compliment. If you're reading this.) Although, dad does his best to make up for his absence during work by sending her flowers to show his appreciation.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic here. A visit from my niece and sister-in-law made me re-examine my perspective. Yes, changes will happen. They are part of life, essential for a character building and perseverance. Watching my niece play in the mall kid area, I was struck by I Corinthians 13: 11-12. The verse states: "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

Looking back, I have been through a lot to get where I am today. Each one of those difficulties or accomplishments made me into who I am today. I should be grateful for everything and just live ever moment for what it is-a gift. Yes, I wish I could go back to where my faith was stronger and I didn't have to worry about what lies ahead. But that's a part of life.. wanting to do everything on your own, but realizing you can't. That's growth, knowing you can't do everything on your own. But no one can. That's where faith comes in. Trusting that someone has your back no matter what life brings against you.

I apologize this post was a lot more poetic and inspirational when I first wrote it or thought about it in my head watching her yesterday. But as I said, it's been a busy and testing week for me, yet emotional at the same time. If that makes sense. Keep me in your prayers.

Debbie

Windows Vista: My Experiences

Okay,

So it's been over a week since I first started using Windows Vista on my new computer. It's going okay; there are a few little quarks that I'm getting used to on a daily basis. I thought I'd highlight some of those for you. The first and most obvious being that Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 9.0 doesn't work with Windows Vista. Relax, this doesn't exclude users from taking advantage of the technology. They just have been download the latest version NaturallySpeaking 9.5 directly from the site.

Other quirks that I have encountered while reacquainting myself with the program include the reorganization of some of the common commands. Because of time, I'm not going to go through every single one. I'll highlight just a few. Opening a program is pretty much the same process, but the command name is pretty much dependent on what you labeled the icon. For example, it took me some time just to realize that dad had switched the label of "America Online" to "AOL". As a result, it only in response to the command "Open AOL"

Working with Microsoft Office products is pretty much the same, and yet different. If you remember, Windows Vista is best known for its ability to protect your computer from unknown viruses and spyware. This is a good quality, however it poses a difficulty when trying to open a program by a voice. Why is that exactly? Well, the computer asks the user to verify each program by clicking "cancel" or "allow" However, this is not possible to do by voice. Disabling this option is possible, but I don't know how exactly. My dad dealt with this problem while I was not around to watch. If you are interested in further information regarding this process, I would be happy to ask and fill you in later

In terms of working with Microsoft Office products, commands like "file", "save" and "print" work in the same way, but hidden under a different menu. Using the above commands, they can be located under the "home menu." Another thing to point out, depending on which menu you have opened by a voice, certain commands should be shown on the top of your Microsoft Word screen. For instance, if users have the above example open, they will notice the top bar divided into five sections. These sections include: "clipboard", "font", paragraph", "styles", and "editing". In order to access these menus further, users may say one of those keywords.

Oh, and for some strange reason the command "control menu" no longer works while using Internet Explorer. Well it works. It just stalls out the computer

Living Independently: a Dream Come True

Okay,

Since I'm in the process of looking towards the future and God's plans for me, I just thought it would be fun to look at other people that are doing the same. I just happened to come upon this article while apartment searching. It's going okay. My friends and I are still overcoming some of own hurdles, such as financial burdens and employment difficulties. Anyway, on to the article
summary..

For most people, owning a home is a dream come true.

But for 24-year-old Kim Munro, a bedroom will do just fine.

This bedroom is part of a 10 bedroom unit named "The Allison House" project. Supported by Lutheran Social Services, this new project allows people with disabilities to live independently without the fear often associated with being on your own. The project is made possible by a grant from HUD as well as several other organizations. The house includes other amenities as a fully accessible kitchens, storage units, dining units as well as a community laundry room. Dedicated last Thursday, the faculty took time to remember the young woman for which the project was named.

Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Allison Kamen also had dreams of living independently. Unfortunately, she died in 1997 before those dreams could be realized.

For further information, contact Christine Perry at 323-4222
----

Bleck, Christie. "Allison House Apartments enable independent living. "(Lansing State Journal) lsj.com 9 March 2007. 21 March 2007
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070309/NEWS01/703090324/1182/NEWS01

Encouragement: Choices

Everyday we make choices.

Whether we know it or not, each choice has a consequence that ultimately influences the course of our life in one way or another. They can be big or small, monumental or inconsequential. But they still have the same impact.

I was once again reminded of that simple fact twice during my devotionals this week. The first time was on Monday when Joni discussed the importance of strengthening our faith. While most Christians primarily view the act of strengthening their faith from one perspective-the perspective of reading the Bible. While this may be true, Christians sometimes forget the important part that trust plays into building an intimate relationship. Monday and Tuesday's devotionals reminded me of that. Too often we are afraid to act on the faith that we have because we are afraid of making the wrong choices . True, we do sometimes make wrong choices and have to pay the consequences for our actions.

We 're only human; it's inevitable that we will make mistakes! But that's the beauty of God., if we are truly serious about remaining faithful, everything will work out eventually. It might just not work out the way we expect or in our timing. But he does promise things will work out. Sometimes even better than we planned. As Philippians 2: 12-13 reiterates, "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. This verse is written according to The Message version of the of the Bible


Tuesday's devotional was about following Jesus. Following Jesus is a choice, like everything else. According to the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Luke 9: 23 states: "And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will have it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Another point to ponder, God himself made a choice...

To sacrifice his life in order to save us!!

Urinating in London

Elaine Gennard-Levy spent so much time one day looking for a public toilet in London that she decided to build her own.



According to this Bloomsberg article, “in December, she opened a luxury ladies' room on Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping area. Use of the toilet and powder room at the facility costs 5 pounds ($10).”

Her boutique pissoir is apparently “helping to fill the gap left by a decline in public bathrooms in London. The number of toilets dropped 40 percent from 2000 to 2005, leaving 415 to serve a population of 7.5 million, government figures show. That's not including the 28 million people who visit the U.K. capital each year.”

But why is there a shortage? The article explains:

The shortage belies London's history as an exemplary provider of public toilets. Its first public lavatory was built in the 12th century at the site of what is now the Royal Bank of Canada's offices. During the Victorian era, public bathrooms multiplied, and often boasted mosaic tiling and copper pipes.

Such facilities have sometimes fallen afoul of new laws. The Disability Act, which came into force in 2004, requires that public toilets be accessible to wheelchair users or have suitable alternatives nearby. Rather than invest in ramps and elevators, some authorities have shut or sold older restrooms.

Furthermore, “a 53 percent increase in London house prices during the past five years has helped fuel the decline of the public toilet, as authorities sell valuable real estate to developers.”



Admittedly, we want to see a further decrease in public bathrooms in London and elsewhere, because as chronic public urinators ourselves, we like hearing stories and tips from tourists who have had to navigate in pain through unfamiliar locales looking for somewhere secluded enough to take a piss. Where might we, for instance, relieve ourselves around the Vatican on a late Tuesday night? At night, is it safer to do it in the park or the alleyway? Illicit cartographies to share with fellow travelers or collect for future editions of Lonely Planet City Guides.

As an experience of landscape as visceral as, say, seeking shelter during an earthquake or from an incoming tornado, public urination is at least worth investigating in a landscape architecture studio.

(Photos of Clark Sorensen's floral urinals, which, for obvious reasons, are not found in Gennard-Levy's ladies-only W.C., so the photos are used here merely for decorations.)

In the Archives:
Urinating at the Eisenman

(Spotted at Boing Boing.)

The Giant Crystal Caves of Naica

“The largest natural crystals on Earth have been discovered in two caves within a silver and zinc mine near Naica, in Chihuahua, Mexico,” a Discovery News article reprinted here tells us. “Reaching lengths of over 20 feet, the clear, faceted crystals are composed of selenite, a crystalline form of the mineral gypsum.”





If you're thinking of exploring the Naica caves, you might want to bring along your own climate controlled biosuit and an ample supply of oxygen as the temperatures inside are an unbearable 150˚F with 100% humidity. It will be like walking into a blast furnace. One death has already been recorded, that of a miner trying to steal some of the crystals: “He tried to take some plastic bags filled with fresh air inside, but the strategy didn't work. He lost consciousness and later was found thoroughly baked.”

There are now plans to air-condition the caves.

(All photographs © Javier Trueba/Madrid Scientific Films. More info and photos via this Wikipedia entry. Spotted at Boing Boing.)

A short post

Hi Guys,

I apologize for this post being so late. I guess I'm having just a little too much fun with my new computer. Chuckle. I also find myself running out of ideas to talk about. So maybe someone can help me out there? Hint, hint.

I did run across one topic of interest today. Disability awareness is once again on television. As turns out, the popular show "Dancing With the Stars" has a contestant with a disability. Well sort of. Her name is Heather Mills McCartney and she is an amputee. As a celebrity, she is most famous for her work with the Adopt-A- Minefield as well as being the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. Her passion includes increasing public awareness of land mines and its devastating worldwide impact. She is also known for her views as a animal rights activist, speaking out against the trading of dog and cat fur in China.

In 1993, Heather Mills McCartney was injured in a car accident involving a police motorcade. She suffered multiple injuries, ranging from crushed ribs to to the loss of one of her legs. But she doesn't let this stop her. Just a year later, she was out putting her personal experiences to good use. What did she do you ask? Well, she took part in the first convoy that delivered artificial limbs to Croatia. You can look for her and her partner, Jonathan Roberts on ABC at 8 p.m. on Mondays.

-- -- --

For more information, please feel free to go to the official Heather Mills McCartney website which can be accessed at:

http://www.heathermills.org

Sites of Managed Anxiety

The beautiful rhyming scheme of anti-avalanche fences, or mountain implants, as photographed by Lois Hechenblaikner.







Which remind us that we are still waiting to hear of a competition for a new ex-urb community development sited, as per international trend, deep into the wilderness, and programmed to co-exist successfully with wildfires, 100-year floods, rock falls, outbreaks of new super-viruses, snow avalanches, or some other human-induced disasters.

In the Archives:
“How deeply am I willing to go into the wilderness?”

(Spotted at VVORK.)

The Sands of Singapore

(Photo by Nicky Loh/Reuters.)

An interesting article about another construction boom was published yesterday in the The New York Times.

Some countries have strategic oil reserves; others stockpile rice or wheat. The island nation of Singapore has emergency reserves of imported sand.

The sand is there to secure Singapore’s insatiable demand for concrete, a reminder of its vulnerability as a nation without a hinterland to supply it with vital resources.

The government is now being forced to tap its sand hoard after its usual supplier, Indonesia, abruptly banned exports in February, citing the impact of a recent Singaporean construction boom on Indonesian beaches and island environments.

The ban touched off the latest in a string of disputes between Singapore and its neighbors over water, land reclamation, satellite concessions, corporate takeovers and the flight patterns of the Singapore Air Force, just to name a few.

In searching for more background on the embargo, we learned that the vast majority of sand Singapore imports go to land reclamation projects for new beaches, industrial parks, commercial and housing development, port and airport facilities, and other important infrastructure. Over the last four decades, these projects have increased the country's land area by nearly 20%, and more are planned in the coming decades.

This territorial expansion, however, came at the expense of its own hills — not very tall ones, but hills nevertheless — which have been sheared flat, their truncated peaks dumped into the sea. And then there are the islands in the Malaysian and Indonesian archipelagos, some of which are now in danger of disappearing, if not already fully submerged beneath the waves. Moreover, large tracts of mangrove forests along the coast were consequently destroyed — suffocated by a flood of pulverized hills and islands, as it were, soon to be followed by another deluge, courtesy of global warming.

Indonesia previously banned such exports, but a robust trade in illegal sand did little to curb the environmental degradation. If anything, this geological thievery provided for some curious incidents on the high seas. For instance, back in 2002, the Indonesian navy sent two warships to capture seven vessels suspected of smuggling sand to Singapore. Not banned military technology or illegal immigrants or weapons-grade enriched plutonium or even an actual atomic bomb — but sand.

(24: The Movie? You buy a MacMansion in a remote barrier island, but the beach behind your house isn't quite up to your standard of an ocean-side paradise. Thus, you decide to purchase several tons of sand, precipitating an action-packed thriller half-way around the world involving your landscape architect, geologists, shadowy international trade syndicates, government trade ministers, corrupt provincial governors, local paramilitaries, environmentalists, fugitives, container ships staffed by multinational sailor-for-hires with dubious histories, warships, dredgers, and, yes, illegal sand. Of course, Jack Bauer will have to navigate through all the assorted plot points to prevent a disruptive regional conflict from erupting.)

Anyway, to go back to Singapore's emergency stockpile, the image of mountain ranges made up entirely of finely grained immigrant soil, rising and diminishing in response to economic demands and international geopolitics, within or along the periphery of a crowded metropolis, is outrageously fascinating. At the very least, it might inspire an interesting art installation.

Javanese hills and Bornean ridges simulating Singapore's erased topography.

In the Archives:
Immigrant Soil

Friday

Hello again.

Well, it's Friday and I have no big plans for the weekend. Although, I am kind of excited because of several things that will be happening in my near future. First, my dad and I finally ordered me a new computer. This one works fine, but it's a little slow processing my words for the dictation because of all the documents and stuff I have accumulated throughout my education. The new one will have tons of room. For more iTunes and things from work. When I get a job that is.. My dad keeps joking that it is a new computer "for all of the new stuff I have planned for rollin into the future" readers. Anyway, he's going to set that up tonight. The voice recognition technology is supposed to work fine with Windows Vista. So we'll see. I'll give you a report and tell you how it goes later. If everything goes as planned, I may be up and running by tomorrow. I might even have a web cam. Who knows?

Also, it's finally official. My best friend is in fact moving back from Chicago and we are moving in together. We've been sorting out some of the details if this were to become a reality. But it actually is. Another girl is going to move in with us, allowing us to split the difference three ways. It'll be easier on us financially that way. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents. But I am 26 (27 in April). It's about time I get on with my life. My mom even says that every once in a while. Although, not in that tone. Just gently urging and encouraging me.

I also have a long-awaited coffee break arranged with some college friends on Tuesday night. The details aren't concrete yet, but I haven't seen them in a while so I'm excited. Being stuck in the house with not much to do is getting old. Although I do have those job consultant meetings to go to which are interesting. But in the long run, I just want a job. Somewhere I can utilize the talents that God gave me for writing.

Anyway, onto today's topic. As I said I might do, I have decided to refer back to the advocacy article on this woman, Carrie Ann Lucas. The question is, can people w ith disabilities be good parents? I believe they can in most cases. Either way, parenting isn't without its difficulties and sometimes you do have to ask for help.

Okay, so I had originally planned for this post to be longer including all of the quotes of the article that I thought were important. But then I thought you could just read the article and find the quotes yourself. I'm actually having a little too much fun with my new computer here

You know where you can reach me
Debbie

Encouragement: Everyday Breeze

Hello again!

First off, I'm sorry for not posting anything spectacular yesterday. Let alone, posting a day late. The truth is, I wasn't feeling quite up to it. I was having a difficult day. Actually, it seems to be a routine lately. So how was everybody's weekend? Mine went okay; it was a little unusual, being that it was primarily just mom and I until saturday night. Much of my dad's job takes place out of town, so we don't really get to see him that much. Except on weekends. Oh well. He does the best he can, considering the circumstances. But at least he enjoys what he does. So I guess that's a plus. Anyway, enough with the personal stuff.

I debated posting at all today. I know I said I would post every other day, but today I'm just not feeling it. Actually, I've been feeling that way a lot lately, especially the last couple days. Usually, my faith in God is enough to bring me out of the way I feel. But lately, I've only been feel his presence for "fleeting moments". Like the singing of a or a powerful analogy used in church.

I encountered two of those experiences last Sunday in church. Although, I'm afraid some of it may have lost its impact on me since I didn't write about it right away. The first had to do with the choice of music. I've always thought that music has the ability to touch someone's soul and minister to them through a simple melody or a group of lyrics. I felt that way during the worship service. The songs were entitled "Draw Me Close" and "The Power Of Your Love". Singing the songs in that church really touched me at that moment. It's really hard to explain why, except to say that it had been a long time since I've felt like I belonged anywhere.. in a community. That is, outside my family circle. It's a long story. Let's just say my family has been through a lot the last couple of years. Anyway, I felt truly connected for once. Like God was "speaking to" me through the music as well as the people singing around me. In a weird way, I felt as if the songs were handpicked for me.

Then next source of comfort came from an analogy used in the Pastor's sermon. It's been three days, so I may have lost some of the specific details. For that, I'm sorry. Anyway, as a young man in the mission field, he was really debating God and the plan He had for the Pastor 's life. Walking along the tall brush in Africa, (I think) he asked God for a sign of peace and hope in regards to his future. Just then a small breeze caressed his cheek; it also separated the brush so he could see the path just a few feet ahead of him. Moments later, the breeze vanished. It was then that he realized that he didn't have to see and understand the "whole" picture because God did.

I don't know what else to say.

Later.

Walk a Mile in Our Shoes

Okay,

So I have a new friend to thank for this entry. Like me, Laura too has a passion for partnering with people that have disabilities to ensure that their rights and freedoms are protected. In fact, she is just in the process of finishing off her law degree. And it seems like we're not the only ones. Take the recent article in the Los Angeles Times for example. It features the story of Carrie Ann Lucas. She is a lawyer as well, but unlike most, she has walked a mile in our shoes and knows first-hand the difficulties of having a disability. I have included a brief summary of the article according to what I thought was most important. For further information, see the citation at the end of the article. I was amazed by Carrie's story and I think you will be too. Thanks Laura for passing the story along.

Lucas began developing bone tumors and experienced increasing muscle pain as a young student at Washington State. Unable to find the root cause of these symptoms, she continued her life and graduated with a degree in sports medicine. After that, she tried seminary. But in the long run, she decided it wasn't the right career for her. She was later diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease called central core disorder. As a result, she ended up in a wheelchair and eventually lost her hearing.

When a family crisis threatened to tear her immediate family apart, she was prepared to do anything to keep them together. This included becoming a foster parent to her niece Heather when she was taken away from her half brother. Social was doubtful this was possible at the beginning, making several trips over to the house and forcing Lucas to prove herself by making sure she was capable of putting Heather's wheel chair into a rented van. Heather herself is unable to walk or talk too.

This experience was so life-changing; she decided to try again. This time, attempting to adopt a seven-year-old girl who was also confined to a wheelchair. After just 10 months of fostering, the girl's aunt and uncle stepped up to adopt the child. She was devastated. During this process, Lucas worked as a legal assistant for Cross-Disability Coalition; this law firm specializes in trying to keep parents with disabilities together with their kids.

At that point, Lucas decided to return to college. This time for a law degree. Unfortunately, her vision began to fail making this much more difficult then she anticipated. As a result, she had to add the course of braille among her many important college courses. Graduating in 2005, Lucas is now " legally blind, but is able to scan documents and read lips at a very close range".

Why does she do this?

This was my favorite quote of the article and I think it says it best.

"We [the coalition ] realized if that's happening to us, who're really connected, who know our stuff, are professionals with advanced degrees, what's happening to other people?"

The article goes on and on about several specific cases. I may refer back to this on Friday. Who knows? But I think I'm going to do something special tomorrow.

See you then
--

Riccardi, Nicholas. "Disabled woman is able ally for parents." (Los Angeles) latimes.com 5 March 2007.13 March 2007
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-lucas5mar05,1,828207.story? page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true&coll=la-headlines-nation

Controversy over Accessibility Laws in California

Okay,

So, I'm a little late with today's post. Yesterday, I was a little busy with my first meeting in regards to getting a job coach. But that's another story for another time.

Today's post is going to be a mixture of opinion/reporting the news. Recently, The American with Disabilities Act has become the center of attention. Signed over 17 years ago, the law is intended to create barrier free access for the disabled.

What's the problem with that?

Absolutely nothing.

In California, problems began to surface in 1992 when they decided to allow plaintiffs to sue for monetary damages . As a result, thousands of lawsuits are being brought up in court cases. The price that businesses end up paying is a big one. Not only do they have to correct the violation for future customers, they also have to pay the plaintiff for the violation. While Attorney David Peters admits that most suits are valid, it's the law's misuse that concerns him the most. Some examples of this may include such small violations as the placement of a mirror or a coat rack. Peters say it's often cheaper for businesses to settle rather than follow through in court. In effort to prevent such misuse, he created Lawyers Against Lawsuit Abuse.

On the other hand, many disabled people feel that issues need to be pointed out. To date, there have been more than 14,000 lawsuits in California's federal courts. David Gunther is just one of those people. Gunther, who has been disabled for over five years, has sued a variety of businesses for what he considers "a barrier for the handicapped".

"I'm trying to make this world a better place before I leave it," says Gunther.

Now onto my opinion. To be honest, this was one of the hardest entries for me to write. As a person with communication degree, I realize the importance of trying to tell both sides to the issue. I wasn't quite sure what details to add or leave out because CNBC did cover a lot regarding the specific suits and such. Because of that, I was left to use my own judgment. Truthfully, I'm still a little confused and irritated by the segment. That's why I decided to cite this source for you to make your own informed decision if you wanted further information. I myself can see both perspectives-the disabled person and the businesses. On the one hand, yes, I do want places to be barrier free so that I can come and go wherever I please just like any one else. Yes, you have to be assertive and stand up for what you believe is right. But there also has to be limits. I'm not quite sure what kind of limits I am speaking of because as I said I can see both sides.

Anyway, that's all for today. I'd be interested in hearing your opinions
---
Citation for TV program: "Legally Challenged" News segment Jane Wells reporting, CNBC channel 39, Business Nation at 10 pm, March 8, 2007

New Mecca

(Image: The Kaaba in the shadow of the Abraj al Bait development complex. Photo by Tamara Abdul for The New York Times.)

There was a very interesting article a couple of days ago in The New York Times concerning the current construction boom altering the landscape of Mecca.

In addition to the ongoing projects to improve the city's pilgrimage infrastructure, the article tells us that “an entire mountain is being flattened to make way for a huge hotel and high-rise complex. And elsewhere, cranes dot the skyline with up to 130 new high-rise towers planned for the area.”


(Image: The Jabal Omar development complex.)

Quite a few more cranes are to be found in another multi-billion dollar complex, the Abraj al Bait, under construction just across from the Kaaba. The tallest of its towers, a hotel, is projected to be the seventh highest in the world and will loom high over Islam's holiest site.

Perhaps in keeping with the city's historical status as a major commercial center, a mall recently opened as part of the same development. This mall, we read, is “outfitted with flat-panel monitors with advertisements and announcements, neon lights, an amusement park ride, fast-food restaurants and a lingerie shop.” And Cartier, Tiffany, H&M, Topshop and, of course, Starbucks.

Not surprisingly, some feel that “Mecca is becoming like Las Vegas.”


(Image: A computer rendering of the Abraj al Bait.)

Quoting the article:

Progress has exacted a heavy price in Mecca. More pilgrims than ever can come here, thanks to billions spent on tunnels and infrastructure to accommodate them. But in exchange, the city’s once famed night market, where pilgrims brought their wares to sell, is gone. The Meccan homes and buildings that filled the area near the mosque were demolished in the 1970s to enlarge the mosque. The neighborhoods and families who lived near the mosque and welcomed pilgrims have long since moved away.

And again (with apologies):

Dr. Ahmed of London has cataloged the destruction of more than 300 separate antiquity sites, including cemeteries and mosques. He says the house where the Prophet Muhammad lived was razed and today a dilapidated library, with its windows and doors shuttered, stands in its place.

Or, to mutilate Clifford Geertz: nothing changes or alters like the unconditionally and unalterably sacred.

Links:
Abraj al Bait photos @ SkyscraperPage Forum
Jabal Omar photos @ SkyscraperCity Forum

In the Archives:
Reconfiguring the Jamarat Bridge

My Rules/ Quotable quotes

Welcome!
You probably noticed a routine in my entries by now. Over the weekend, I had decided to set some rules and regulations for myself while writing this blog.
Rule #1: New posts will be written every other day of the week. This means Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; there will always be something new from my readers. I wanted my readers both new and old to be able to depend on this blog if they are ever looking for new and interesting information pertaining to their disability.
Rule #2: Early Bird Catches the Worm-this one is primarily for my own information. Sometimes I may end up posting a post a day early or the night before, so it's here and ready for you when you need it. Ah, the wonders of draft mode!=)
Rule #3: Quality Versus Quantity- this is probably more of a comment than a rule. I created this for you my readers. I can't do much without your help and feedback. Yes, I can depend on my experiences to write an entry. But I won't really know if that helps you unless I get feedback. I've created this blog for you guys. You tell me what you want to learn, understand, and accomplish and I will do my best to help you with what ever I can. In that effort, I am going to try and compile everything I can about disabilities in television, magazines, and media. I don't want to get "burned out" trying to find information every day on disabilities that isn't useful. I want this to be informative as well and entertaining at the same time. That is yet another reason why I chose to write every other day.
Rule #4: At least once a week, I will have a "Encouragement Day" where I will post some encouraging words meant to inspire, motivate and stay true to yourself.
Finally, Rule #5: There are no dumb questions. I am pretty open when it comes to my disability, my life in my dreams. So feel free to e-mail me. Besides some of the personal questions, I would be happy to communicate with you through e-mail and talk.
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Now that I've got that covered, let's get to the main event.. Can anyone guess what today's topic is?

If you guessed "Encouragement of the Day ", you're right. Looking back through history, there have been many people who have led courageous lives through adversity. Their positive attitudes and outspoken character have opened new doors and broken down barriers, getting us to where we are today. Take for example Helen Keller. I'm sure most of you are familiar with her story, but if you aren't feel free to go to "Helen Keller: Services for the Blind". Their website can be accessed by going to: http://www.helenkeller.org/graphicversion/bio.html

Below are a collection of her most inspirational quotes. I hope they inspire you as much as they did me. These quotes can be found in a variety of places just by searching for "inspirational quotes". However, the source I found to be most helpful was "The Quotations Page" where you can search for variety of authors. This website is:

http://www.quotationspage.com/

Words of Wisdom From Helen Keller

1. Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.

2. Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

3. I do not want the peace which passeth understanding, I want the understanding which bringeth peace.

4. Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

5. Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.

6. No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.

7. One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.

8.When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

9.When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.


10.Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never good in the world
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Yet another story, "The Smallest Survivors"

Okay,

It's only a few days ago when I first discussed the importance of people with disabilities on television. Well, it happened again last Thursday. It was a feature story detailing the courageous story of the Edward family and their two premature births. At 27 and a half weeks, doctors were forced to deliver little AJ. Why so early? His mother had developed a life threatening condition called Hellp Syndrome. According to doctors, this syndrome is a cluster of pregnancy complications that attack the blood as well as the liver. AJ spends over a hundred days in the hospital before returning home with his family. After a brain ultrasound, something seems wrong. Doctors prepare the Edwards for the possibility of problems in the future.

After such a daunting experience, the couple debates trying to have another child. While they are concerned that the condition will occur again, doctors reassure them the possibility of it much smaller and less dangerous than before. So they proceed on ahead.

After just twenty-four weeks of pregnancy, Jada's blood pressure rises. The Hellp Syndrome was back. Born 16 weeks premature, Alexa weighed less than a pound. Alexa also spends over a hundred days in the hospital before being sent home.

As a result, A. J. developed cerebral palsy. He eats some regular food, but primarily has to be fed through a tube in his stomach. On the other hand, Alexa suffered no effects because of the premature birth.

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Citation for TV Program: "Smallest Survivors" News segment Carmen Harlan reporting, NBC channel 4 WDIV Detroit, News at 11 pm, February 28, 2007.

Granular Blitzkrieg

Caught on film and uploaded to YouTube, of course.

In the Archives:
Earth-Fountain
Earth-Fountain Redux

Giant Guatemalan Sinkhole

Via the awesome gravestmor, who earlier alerted us to the movie trailer of the Mexican documentary feature, En El Hoyo, we learn that on February 23, “after rumbling for weeks, part of a poor Guatemala City neighborhood plummeted some 30 stories into the Earth.”


(Photograph from Reuters/STR New, illustration by Paul Hannan/National Geographic Digital Media.)

According to National Geographic News, “the reportedly 330-foot-deep (100-meter-deep) sinkhole swallowed about a dozen homes and is so far blamed in the deaths of three people—two teenagers, found floating in torrent of sewage, and their father, who was pulled from the chasm.”

While everyone knows who the real culprit of this terrestrial villainy is, Guatemalan officials nevertheless blame rainstorms and a ruptured sewer main for the sinkhole. “After the collapse, the seemingly bottomless depths gave off tremors, sounds of flowing water, and the scent of sewage,” we also learn.

It's at times like this when we wish there was a secret cabal of landscape architects, all possessing extraordinary design abilities and astounding planning skills: The League of Super Amazing Landscape Architect Friends.

Holed up in their subterranean lair designed, of course, by Barco, they wait, surveilling seismic monitors, Google Earth imagery, RSS news feeds, global hydrographs and ambient air sensors, until a new geological wound on the surface of the earth calls out for them.

When another giant sinkhole suddenly appears in another major city, a red light flashes immediately on one of their giant screens, sirens blaring. Within minutes, they are parachuting down towards the disaster zone. And mere seconds after they've landed, they already have sketched out the schematics for a fantastic vertical park, sure to draw thousands of tourists, mountain climbers and well-funded graduate students of garden history, who will come for exactly one hour to analyse the site and then spend the rest of their fellowship money whoring and boozing it up. The park won't erase the tragedy, obviously, but it might serve as a fitting memorial. Plus much tourist revenue will be generated.

Or when a mayor too powerful for everyone's good decides to build a multi-billion dollar stormwater deep tunnel, representatives from the league will rappel down City Hall, to the dumbstruck faces of aldermen, to offer inexpensive municipal stormwater management alternatives. Tax payers across the city will rejoice.

Is there an open-pit mine polluting your watershed? Have no fear, Julie Bargmann's protégé will come to the rescue.

Have you spotted another coastal development? Send an anonymous tip to the league and a Super Amazing Landscape Architect Friend or two will pay the developers a visit to point out the idiocy of their whole plan with powerpoint presentations.

In the Archives:
Tunnel-Digging as a Hobby

The "Real" Story

Sometimes I wonder whether I'm doing you a disservice by only sharing certain parts of my life with you in this blog.

By that I mean, the happy times. Don't get me wrong, the happy times outweigh the sad. But sometimes having a disability and everything gets to me. Take today for example. Waking up this morning, I felt extremely disheartened about my life. I began to wonder how I fit into the big picture of this world in terms of my faith and purpose. I began to question my motives for a lot of things such as writing for this blog, or whether I'm doing enough with my life to serve God. Okay, so maybe the weather has something to do with it. It is absolutely terrible outside. A thick layer of snow covered the porch when I last looked outside. Gray clouds loom above making it seem as if it's evening when it's really not. In actuality, it's about 3: 30 in the afternoon.

Having a disability can be difficult. It does limit me and give me boundaries in terms of what I what I can do with my life. Yes, I wish I could do more!! On the other hand, it allows me to depend on something "higher" than myself to supply my needs. My friend and Savior Jesus Christ. That begs me to ask another question of myself, "What if I don't have enough faith?" Then it dawned on me that it's not my job to produce the faith, just to keep it alive no matter what.. Even the smallest bit, the size of a mustard seed, matters.. The rest is up to God. Sure, people can increase their faith by reading devotionals and the Bible. But the reality is, the initial sacrifice and "measure of faith" was God's. He gave it to you and me at no cost whatsoever.

Anyway, those were my thoughts this morning. As the day went on, my attitude got better. Looking back, I guess my devotional fits really well. Living life. The difference is, Christians don't live by society 's standards, but by God's. According to Psalms 34: 12-14, the list includes:

1. Keep your tongue from deceit.
2. Depart from evil.
3. Do good.
4. Seek peace.

Seem simple? I guess it is. We all feel down sometimes. It's normal; it's our job to not dwell on it too long.