Reposted from NPR Original Post By: Alex Smith By the time Stephenie Hashmi was in her mid-20s, she had achieved a lifelong dream — she was the charge nurse of one of Kansas City’s largest intensive care units. But even as she cared for patients, she realized that something was off with her own health. “I… Read more »
Reposted from the Federal Communications Commission’s Press Release WASHINGTON, June 13, 2017 – Recognizing innovative communications technology designed for people with disabilities, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai today announced winners and honorable mentions of the sixth annual Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility (Chairman’s AAA). “Communications technology has awe-inspiring power to open doors that have too… Read more »
Reposted from the Dallas Morning News Original Post By Melissa Repko When there’s an emergency, a deaf person’s primary way of calling 911 is still a clunky machine that looks like it should’ve gone the way of the fax machine and typewriter. For Aaron Bangor, the lead accessible technology architect at AT&T, the archaic-looking device — called a teletypewriter… Read more »
Technology Summit Description This unique 3-day training summit focuses on the intersection of technology and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking. Covering a wide range of technology-related issues, this conference will be helpful to advocates, law enforcement, and legal professionals who work with survivors of abuse. Vera’s very own Leslie Myers and Rachel Gibson… Read more »
Vera mourns the loss of Amy Judy, a senior program associate in our Center on Victimization and Safety (CVS), who passed away this past weekend. Amy had been at Vera for almost two years, but has been a part of the Vera family for well over 15 years, lending her expertise to shape CVS’s work… Read more »
In January, we lost a dedicated self-advocate in Hal Schultz . We will remember the great work he was a part of with the Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas as a leader in this field who was able to demonstrate survivor-centered approaches in all that he did. Please see the touching tribute below the collaboration Kansas BELIEVE has… Read more »
In the mid-1990s, a staff member from The University of Texas at Austin who knew about the high rates of sexual abuse against people with disabilities teamed with the Austin Rape Crisis Center to conduct a community survey. Responders to the survey identified the need for two primary services: accessible counseling and personal safety education… Read more »
In an August issue of The Charlotte Observer, the newspaper reported on an incident in which a State Highway Patrol trooper shot an killed a Deaf man using sign language. The article highlights the issues that arise from language barriers, and from the lack of training and knowledge about Deaf culture, found in many law… Read more »
The ADA National Network has launched a new initiative to promote accessibility and opportunity for people with disabilities in the hospitality industry. This new online resource speaks to the hospitality industry about creating access for people with disabilities, providing trainings and resources about how to be welcoming to guest with disabilities. The website also provides… Read more »
The Clarion-Ledger highlights the response of one nationally known self defense instructor, after a Deaf couple was attacked in their home in Mississippi. Angela Maria Nardolillo, a California based instructor who is also fluent in American Sign Language, will be offering self defense classes for the Deaf community in the community surrounding Madison, Mississippi. The… Read more »