CASTING: A new Disney TV Animation series is searching for young girls that are authentic wheelchair users to play lead characters. JAZZY – 7 to 8 year old sounding real kid or teen (age range 7 to 17, as discussed also open to naturally young sounding adults), female, character is Black, singing ability is ... Read more
Interesting Items
Inclusiveness and Apathy in the Workplace
Fostering Culture Change to Combat Apathy in the Workplace: A Discussion on Inclusiveness The United States is well versed in what to say in order to appear as if actions are being made toward positive change. Paying so-called “lip service” to topics of critical experience comes naturally, and is in fact seen as a ... Read more
Metrolink introduces new ticket machines with accessibility features
Metrolink announces the installation of 133 new ticket machines at its stations across Southern California. The new machines improve the customer experience through improved reliability, a focus on accessibility, and smarter, more customer-friendly features, such as touchscreens. The machines comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), featuring voice enabled technology, a headphone jack ... Read more
Liu Xia: Writing for Life with Faith and Fortitude
“We need to see both sides of life. If there is only emphasis on the good side, that is self-deceit. It is necessary to be aware of the bad side, but we need to keep hope in the worst times.” Liu Xia sees poetry as an alternative reality she can visit. “There all is ... Read more
‘Lego Oma:’ German grandma creates Lego ramps to access buildings and imagination
Most Germans have heard of Rita Ebel, better known as the ‘Lego Oma.’ The 62-year-old lady with the short blonde pixie cut and a Hessian dialect is known all over the world since her wheelchair ramps made entirely from Lego have become a tourist attraction in the city of Hanau, Germany, and beyond. Rita ... Read more
How YAI, Next for Autism and Cure SMA are supporting their members during COVID-19
ABILITY Magazine contacted three large organizations and their members about the changes in how they operate during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. YAI, located in New York State, discussed their current situation in their housing facilities as well as their COVID-19 database, which offers information for people with (intellectual) disabilities. NEXT for AUTISM described what ... Read more
The Greatest Story Never Told… Yet — Tough Sledding: The Movie
Filmmakers Shed Light on 2002 Sled Hockey Quest for Paralympic Gold It was fall 2001. The United States national sled hockey team was finishing one of their first training camp weekends, which were grueling four-day marathons on the ice as the team paraded around to different cities once a month in preparation for the ... Read more
Accessibility and Inclusion: ‘This is who we are’ – PBS KIDS, a model for all media
For more than 50 years, PBS has strived to be as accessible as possible to a broad audience, and they have paid particular attention to including children with a variety of disabilities. ABILITY Magazine’s Karina Sturm spoke with Vice President of PBS KIDS Digital, Sara DeWitt, about PBS KIDS’ efforts to make their shows ... Read more
Justin Dart Remembered — Humanitarian, Leader and Friend
Editor’s note: In recognition of a great humanitarian, leader and friend, we present “The Resurrection of Justin Dart Jr. : A Quest for Truth and Love,” which was written by Mari Carlin Dart and originally appeared in the Diahann Carroll issue of ABILITY Magazine. Also included are additional comments from Dr. Fred Fay and ... Read more
Joe Pantoliano, aka Joey Pants
Jun/Jul 2012 ABILITY’s Chet Cooper met up with Joe Pantoliano, aka Joey Pants, at a Belgian restaurant in New York City recently. The popular character actor has appeared in such films as Risky Business, The Fugitive and The Matrix. His skill at playing scumbag mobster Ralph Cifaretto on the hit HBO series The Sopranos ... Read more
Shemar Moore
Dec/Jan 2009/10 Actor Shemar Moore had an eight-year run as Malcolm Winters on the popular daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless, as well as a supporting role in the feature film Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Today he stars on the CBS drama Criminal Minds as FBI Special Agent Derek Morgan. ... Read more
Daryl Chill Mitchell
Aug/Sept 2010 Daryl “Chill” Mitchell is something of a Renaissance Man. His career as an actor, director, producer, writer, musician, public speaker and comedian might strike others as overwhelming, but to Mitchell it’s all part of the game. For years, he enjoyed recurring roles on shows like Veronica’s Closet, Ed, and The John Larroquette ... Read more
Quincy Jones — The Quintessential Life of Harmony
Oct/Nov 2011 Quincy Jones’ music-industry reign spans more than six decades. He’s taken home a phenomenal 27 Grammy Awards, and found winning formulas for the likes of Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. A major multimedia presence, he produced TV’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, created Vibe magazine, and co-produced the movie The ... Read more
John C McGinley — Down the Right Path
Dec/Jan 2011-12 While John C. McGinley is best known for roles on TV’s Scrubs, and the films Wall Street and Platoon, he also works to raise awareness about Down syndrome, stop verbal bullying and promote better opportunities for people with disabilities. He and ABILITY’s Chet Cooper recently met up at McGinley’s home in Malibu, ... Read more
Bob Saget Interview
Apr/May 2011 Since losing his sister Gay to scleroderma, Bob Saget has served on the Scleroderma Research Foundation’s board of directors, and today hosts the organization’s charity-packed benefits around the country. He sat down with ABILITY’s Chet Cooper and Regina Hall to discuss his upcoming benefit, “Cool Comedy/Hot Cuisine,” and shared insight into how ... Read more
Tulsi Gabbard interview with Chet Cooper discusses TBI, PTSD, Aloha and more
UPDATE: 3/19/20 Tulsi Gabbard drops out of the race and endorses Joe Biden 2/07/20 — The first female combat veteran running for President of the United States, US Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), brings a unique perspective to the 2020 race. Rep. Gabbard took a break from her Presidential campaign in New Hampshire to talk ... Read more
Amy Klobuchar attended a fundraiser at the Los Angeles home of Loraine Sheinberg
Amy Klobuchar attended a fundraiser at the Los Angeles home of actress and activist Loraine Sheinberg, best known for her role in “Jaws”. The event was well attended by close to 200 guests. Loraine opened the evening welcoming her friend with great fanfare. Senator Klobuchar talked for almost an hour. She remarked about the ... Read more
Media Access Awards — 40th Anniversary & Easterseals 100 Years
The Media Access Awards (MAA), celebrating its 40th anniversary, and its partner Easterseals, commemorating 100 years, presented a celebration honoring the best in disability representation in Hollywood. MAA, founded by producers Fern Field and supported by Norman Lear, annually honors the top creatives in film and television with the Writers Guild of America West; ... Read more
Google Developer Studio Hosted: Accessibility and Inclusion Strategies for Video Production
Googler Brian Grady, famed videographer, hosted the “Accessibility and Inclusion Strategies for Video Production” at Google’s Sunnyvale Campus (11/12/19) Speakers: An introduction to Accessibility from a user’s perspective Christian Vogler, PhD, – Director, Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University Chet Cooper with the “ABILITY Collective” ABILITY Magazine, abilityJOBS.com, ABILITYJobFair and ABILITY Corps highlighted Google’s role ... Read more
New Podcast Series Addresses the Challenges of Eldercare
Working Daughter, a community for women balancing eldercare, career, and more, has launched a new podcast series aimed at the millions of Americans caring for aging parents. Hosted by Liz O’Donnell, founder of Working Daughter and author of the new book, Working Daughter: A Guide to Caring For Your Aging Parents While Making A ... Read more
