Circa 1999 In a speech to commemorate Franklin D. Roosevelt on the 50th anniversary of his death, Senator Robert Dole spoke before the U.S. Senate. Dole called Roosevelt a “disability hero.” Dole, as a champion of the ADA himself, was a fitting speaker to describe FDR as not only the first elected leader in ... Read more
CJ Jones
RV Parking Ban Effecting Homeless and People with Disabilities
The ACLU Foundation of Northern California, Disability Rights Advocates, and the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County filed a class action lawsuit against the city to strike down a law that bans RV parking within city limits, on behalf of five Pacifica residents who reside in RVs. Lawsuit Condemns City’s Effort to Banish ... Read more
Gallaudet University’s Virtual Challenge
For 150 years, Gallaudet University has been a trailblazer and foremost authority on deaf and hard of hearing education worldwide. Soon after COVID-19 took hold in early 2020, Gallaudet transitioned its campus to remote classes and was faced with challenges to provide it’s typically in-person student services. One of those services was Gallaudet’s Job ... Read more
CJ Jones Crossword Puzzle
Tip: Some answers are found in the Tom Steyer Issue DURING THESE UNCERTAIN AND STRESSFUL TIMES, ABILITY Magazine is providing FREE Premium Memberships that include all Content, Digital Flip Page ABILITY Magazine, PDF versions, plus online interactive ABILITY Crossword Puzzles. SIGN UP HERE FOR YOUR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Conversation with Ian Harding about ableism, disability language, future film projects and most kept secrets (part 2)
Ian Harding is an actor, teen choice award winner, author, and passionate bird lover. Besides being known for playing Ezra Fitz, a controversial character on the show Pretty Little Liars, the 34-year-old is a passionate advocate for people with lupus, an empathetic son to a mother with the chronic condition, and an ally to ... Read more
Dubai — Access in Progress
As Dubai builds a global community surrounding tourism and innovation, it strives to focus on accessibility to welcome all global travelers. Access Dubai invited ABILITY Magazine to check it out. Knowing the UAE’s high degree of safety protocols in place made it easy to accept an invitation during the 2020 COVID-19. Before visitors can ... Read more
Humor Therapy — Lockdowns Bringing Me Down
The COVID-19 lockdowns have been worthless. We’ve been shutdown for months, and more people than ever are sick. The virus is like, “You really think you can hide from me? Do you know who I am? I’m the virus, dammit, and I’ll find you wherever you are. You’re not dealing with some chump here. ... Read more
Ashley Fiolek — I Got Married!
As usual, I have been very busy! I hate to just be sitting still. It makes me crazy. I even started doing Bite Squad deliveries because I have been so bored, and I like to experience meeting different people. I know, I am a nut. Haha! On December 5th, I got married. I was ... Read more
Ted Kennedy Jr. — Following his Calling
The Kennedy name is one of the most recognized families in the world. Generations of historic successes and tragic lows. One theme continues, that of public service, be it politics or nonprofit leadership. One family member who is living up to his heritage is Ted Kennedy Jr., son of Senator Ted Kennedy, brother of ... Read more
Long Haul Paul — The Three Wise Men
We all know the very old and famous story of the three wise men. They were not perfect, but their words are as relevant today as they were so many, many years ago. “Oil. Oil. Oil my jaw.” A wise, heartfelt request squeaked out by the Tin Woodsman in the Wizard of Oz. As ... Read more
China’s Yang Erlang: Drawing her World on Batik Wear
The “Night of China” show in London Fashion Week of 2020 unveiled a series of costumes of a Miao ethnic minority group from Danzhai, Guizhou. On the blue background of rough fabrics, the batik designs were visually created to tell of the Miao ancient stories passed down from generations. While the western fashion makers ... Read more
Donna Duarte — An educator, public speaker, and deaf and disability rights advocate, identifies as Deaf+
Donna Duarte identifies as Deaf+. She is an educator, public speaker, and deaf and disability rights advocate. Her pronouns are she/her/hers. Donna has had the unique opportunity to attend college and university as both a temporarily able-bodied student and as a person who is both Deaf and has disabilities. Those divergent experiences, including her ... Read more
CJ Jones — comedian, actor, writer, director, producer
? For the entire world, 2020 brought new challenges. For CJ Jones, 2020 brought opportunity to live his passion. Having a decades long career as a deaf comedian, actor, entertainer, writer, director and producer, Jones is using his wealth of knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry to give back. He’s seen the need for ... Read more
