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Stevie Wonder Issue

Stevie Wonder

Voiceye–Accessible Code

Similar looking to barcodes used on products at the grocery store, VOICEYE encodes large amounts of data into a small, printed square. Using a free app available on your smartphone, scanned VOICEYE codes can be translated and decoded in a variety of ways: print, voice, braille, or translation. Recently while visiting Seoul, Korea, ABILITY’s Lia … Read more

Betsy–NextSTEP

If my undergraduate studies taught me anything, it was the importance of community service. “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve” was the school motto drilled into my head from freshman orientation until the day I received my college diploma. Back then, community service came naturally for most of us. We weren’t groomed to simply … Read more

Dia — Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Studies

Diana “Dia” Gaitirira learned American Sign Language (ASL) as a teenager back in Palm Bay, Florida, where her childhood church had an enticing social calendar: “They would make these announcements:‘Deaf Ministry picnic next week,’ or ‘Deaf Ministry volleyball.’” So Gaitirira (pronounced guytareera) used the international symbols for, “Can I play volleyball with you guys?” … Read more

Back on Track

  I hadn’t been riding that much since I left motocross in 2012, but this year I was eager to get back to it. So recently I’ve been out at the track more, where I’ve started a new relationship with the outdoor product manufacturer Husqvarna. My agent spoke with the Husky people, and they were able … Read more

Physical Torture

Snap, crackle and pop is not just the sound you hear when you pour milk into Rice Crispies, it’s how your body talks during physical therapy (PT). Actually, after a rigorous session of being man or woman-handled, it’s quite like ly that you’ll lack the strength to talk. Many disabled people are all too familiar … Read more

Boom — There It Is!

  Have you ever woken up and wondered how you got to be so old? I’m going to be 58 this year, and although some people say it’s the new 38, that doesn’t change the reality that I’m among the last of the Baby Boomer generation. Growing up in a middle class American family … Read more

Powder Blue Tuxedo

  I just finished a brilliantly idiotic extreme Iron Butt ride to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society! I first received an invite to a gathering of motorcycle long distance riders, called a RTE, or ride to eat. Riders are invited to a restaurant most likely very far from wherever they call home … Read more

Betsy–NextSTEP

  If my undergraduate studies taught me anything, it was the importance of community service. “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve” was the school motto drilled into my head from freshman orientation until the day I received my college diploma. Back then, community service came naturally for most of us. We weren’t groomed to … Read more

Love of Music

A little over 900 miles southwest of Beijing, China, in the shadow of the Taihang Mountain range, you will find a small openair courtyard. Inside its walls, a musical instrument, tea and tobacco lie on an old table, surrounded by eight blind artists. They are members of the Shanxi Zuoquan Blind Publicity Team, and just … Read more

JAPAN — Aging is Changing a Country

Japan has the longest overall life expectancy of any country in the world, and nearly a quarter of its residents are 65 and over. This rising Silver Tide has moved the country’s leaders to explore how to accommodate its aging population. At the same time, Japan is exploring how to create “barrierfree” environments that … Read more

Possibilities of ADA — Harkin

Dear ABILITY readers, Thanks to the progress we’ve made since passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) more than 20 years ago, millions of people have grown up proud of who they are, confident that the doors of opportunity are open to them. This landmark legislation was a major victory for equality, and helped … Read more

Isn’t He Lovely — Stevie Wonder

For more than five decades, Stevie Wonder has been a powerful musical force. He’s won 22 Grammy Awards and sold more than 100 million albums and singles. Wonder, who’s been blind almost since birth, is a committed advocate for people with disabilities, a courageous political activist, and a compassionate philanthropist who’s hosted the House … Read more

Meningococcal Septicemia

Shayne Smith contracted a potentially deadly condition, and underwent multiple amputations. But to whom much was taken away, much was also given. Today, Smith, 25, is powered by his high-octane confidence. Over the years, he’s made history as an athlete, crossed paths with tons of A-list celebrities, and now focuses on motivating young people … Read more