Did you know that today is International Day for Persons with Disabilities? I didn't know this until I heard it via Twitter from the Canadian Hearing Society. Are you celebrating today?
Down in Arizona, a group is trying to build a nursing home for deaf and hard of hearing people. They've encountered a huge roadblock, thanks to the turn in the economy:
Downturn Stalls Home for Deaf Seniors
Many years ago, when I founded the Joliet Deaf Seniors Group, the seniors expressed concern about not having a place to go if they needed full-time care. I have learned that several groups have tried to set up senior homes for deaf and hard of hearing, only to encounter difficulty in finding funds unless they do not limit it only to deaf and hard of hearing seniors. If setting up a home specific for deaf/hard of hearing isn't possible, I wish we could cluster some of the existing homes to include large groups of deaf and hard of hearing people together so they can communicate easily with one another. When I worked at the Center for Independent Living in Joliet, I often visited deaf senior citizens in various nursing homes around the county. How much easier it would be to provide access, companionship and specialized care if we could address this issue.
Now, on to gas pumps. Gas stations are supposed to be accessible to people with disabilities, but for some, it's a huge struggle to get gas pumped into their cars when traveling alone:
Disabled at the Pump
Fill-ups Still a Hurdle for the Disabled
Have you seen those tiny little buttons perched over the gas pump handles? They're not accessible but they have the little blue guy sitting in a wheelchair on them. How many of you have experienced frustration at the pump? What are some of the solutions you've encountered?
And finally, check out this football player:
Disability is No Hindrance for Bruce
