This braille writer is a very early but highly ingenious piece of assistive technology to make written communication accessible to the blind. Photo by Michal Maňas, Creative Commons
Welcome to our latest installment of noteworthy disability-themed articles! In addition, as a leader in the field, we are pleased to share our experience, knowledge, and expertise with the disability community through our social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest.
In addition, we are specialists in the area of assistive technology and offer an array of services. The Assistive Technology Center is New Jersey’s premier source of information and equipment.
Featured Disabilities Job Listing
We are seeking dedicated, caring Community Support Specialists, direct-support professionals to serve adults with developmental disabilities in community-based settings throughout central New Jersey.
Disability in the News (Mostly in New Jersey, the Population We Serve)
Health agencies seek amendment to include Autism Spectrum Disorder services Autism Public Forum will be held on Jan. 9, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
New Jersey has a new Ms. Wheelchair, and she’s fierce and a voice for other state residents with disabilities.
Assistive Technology
This invention, which has gone viral, can help people with disabilities who struggle in cold weather.
For Parents of a Child with a Disability (Parenting)
Yes, this Santa has autism. His empathy extended to autistic children.
Advocacy and Self-advocacy
“Once isolated, parents are using social media and the internet to find information and communities to ensure their children get the services they need.”
When disaster strikes, people with disabilities are disproportionately affected. Here’s how activists are trying to change that.
Disability Rights, Accessibility
Can one produce artificial intelligence that isn’t ableist? – MIT Technology Review, via Medium
Scott Chesney, a motivational speaker and life coach explains how airlines are working on ways to make flying easier for persons using wheelchairs.
Companies can make work far easier for disabled employees, if they want to.
An entrepreneur built a business to assist travelers with disabilities find accommodations. It was so good, Airbnb bought it.
From Forbes: “Designing for accessibility doesn’t drive costs—it drives opportunity.”
Employment for People with Disabilities
This article in a New Jersey business publication makes a case for hiring adults with autism.
People with disabilities often make excellent entrepreneurs, from BBC News.
Analysis piece in the New York Times: “Hiring People With Disabilities Is Good Business”
Informative, Positive, Noteworthy (or All Three!)
“Ballet for special children”: A group of girls enjoy and derive a great deal of happiness from participating.
Special Education
Assistive technology continues to find its way into helping students with learning challenges, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia.
The Arts and People with Disabilities
Artists with various disabilities launch the National Disability Theatre.
Notable Research on Disability
Spectrum News has compiled these notable papers in autism research in 2018.
Spectrum News has also compiled these five hot topics in autism research in 2018.
People with a Disability in the Community (Disability Rights and Acceptance; Inclusion)
Chelsea Werner, a gymnast with Down syndrome, is accepted at an important modeling agency.
BBC News – Lost Voice Guy: Why 2018 was “a big year for disability”
We love this! Magic Wheelchair helps make disabled Cosplayers’ dreams come true. Here’s how.
Disability Awareness and Appreciation
From The Guardian: “Disabled saviour videos aren’t heartwarming—they’re patronising and disturbing.”
