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Teaching kids to be allies for disability inclusion
14/Oct/2018
Source: https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2018/10/14/teaching-kids-to-be-allies-for-disability-inclusion.html

This news article is about teaching kids to be allies for disability inclusion.Social inclusion plays a major part in everybody's life.Without social inclusion people will go in to depression, anxiety and poor health outcomes.People with disability often experiences loneliness and we can play a major part in changing that and also even our kids.People with disability have either one close friend or no close friends.They are often two or three times more likely to be bullied than their peers without disabilities.This article mentions about "Dear Everybody Campaign" at Holland raising awareness about this matter and how kids can play a major role in it.This is absolutely good move so that kids from childhood will get to know people with disabilities are just like others and be encouraged to include them in all sectors.This article gives an insight to the fact that encouraging kids to be with kids with disability will create a positive imagery.

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Disabled people cannot use over 40 per cent of UK Railway Stations, says Charity.

Nov 29, 2018
Source:
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/rail-stations-disabled-passengers-uk-travel-step-free-access-platforms-a8656076.html
This article is based on a research study which reveals that people with physical disabilities cannot able to use over 40% of railway stations in UK because they do not have a step free access. This types of physical barrier prevents them from travelling, going to work or schools etc. People with physical disabilities are miss out lot of employment opportunities to social events due to this physical barrier. My opinion is to solve this issue is all the railway stations must have a step free access so that everyone can travel anywhere without having any difficulty, otherwise it will affect their quality of life. So creating an environment which is inclusive and a barrier free can really help to improve their quality of life.

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Sask. mom brings daughter’s hearing aid struggle to legislature

25 October 2018
Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/4597251/sask-mom-brings-daughters-hearing-aid-struggle-to-legislature/

This article is about the struggle a mother is phasing in order order to provide good life to the daughter who has hearing problem. The mother had approached every organization for help but she got nothings. she also do 3 jobs in order to support her family (Baxter,2018). she want a hearing device which is expensive but would be beneficial for her daughter but she cant and government is not helping at all (Baxter,2018) .
i believe its not fair, the government should look at these matter more carefully and think about making it better.

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A family that's turned to fundraising to cover nine-year-old Gracie Prang's hearing aids had their frustrations brought to the legislative assembly.

Gracie needs a new type of hearing aid that costs $6,400 to purchase. Her mom, Stephanie Schneck, said that annual maintenance and necessary accessories cost between $1,000 and $2,000 annually.

Schneck works three jobs supporting Gracie and her two other children. As a result, she surpasses the cap on being eligible for assistance from the provincial government.

"We went through every avenue, every phone number, anything we could for help. There's nothing," Schneck said.

"You can go to the employment supplement, I want to say we might have been $2,000 over. I work three jobs. I have to support my family, so you're penalizing me for making money and refusing to help my daughter."

NDP health critic Vicki Mowat brought Scheck's story to the legislature on Thursday.

The device Gracie needs to hear is called Adhear, an adhesive bone conductive hearing aid.

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Health Minister Jim Reiter said Adhear is a very new technology, and they are investigating what the options are for potential public coverage.

"Essentially, I'm going to ask her to be patient for a little bit while we do look at it, and see what we can do. We need to understand whether this is just a more expensive hearing aid or a device that's going to prevent possibly surgery, those sorts of things," Reiter said.

"I feel for her, that's got to be very difficult and we're going to get her some answers as soon as we possibly can."

Reiter is hopeful an answer can be provided for Schneck in weeks, based on talks with Health Canada officials.

In response to Mowat's questioning, Reiter said he would set up a meeting with Schneck.

Once the meeting happens, Schneck said she wants Reiter to know the struggle her family has had to endure.

"By having zero coverage and zero help, you've put us in a position where I had to tell my daughter you don't get to hear. Because you're saying this is a new technology we don't know anything about it - learn," Schneck said.

Saskatchewan's hearing aid program was cut in the 2017/18 budget, saving around $3 million. Adult services were phased out on July 1, 2017, while a longer wind-down takes place for child services.

If Adhear is classed as a more expensive hearing aid, Reiter said it could be classed under the children's hearing aid program. If it prevents future surgery or other procedures it could fall into another category.

Under the children's hearing aid plan, the devices are bulk purchased by the government and then bought at a discount by parents.

In addition to advocating for Gracie, Schneck is pushing for improved supports for other parents in similar situations. She said Gracie will be ok, there's community support for her and strong fundraising drives.

"But the next mom, maybe she's not going to have this drive to push and go. She's just going to go 'I'm sorry we can't do it,' and then what?" Schneck said.

"We're raising our children not to be able to hear. What can she do in school not being able to hear? What's she going to do in the work life when she has been raised with no hearing and pushed through school, pushed aside? What's she going to amount to in life? Nothing. Why are we doing that to our children?"
With files from Rebekah Lesko

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Sask. mom brings daughter's hearing aid struggle to legislature | Globalnews.ca

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A family that's turned to fundraising to cover nine-year-old Gracie Prang's hearing aids had their frustrations brought to the legislative assembly.

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When having fun on Twitter went awry for Brent.

21 November 2018
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/disability-45901125

This article is about person called as Brent who have down syndrome. Brent and his mother Jacques has made account on Twitter for sharing Brent little achievement but people first misunderstood it and judged Brent at first place and keep informing their tweet for politically and for fights. people are just using them for their own entertainment. Brent and Jacqui had made account for their fun but people jut took it in a wrong direction . They even send them link related to down syndrome (BBC News,2019).

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When having fun on Twitter went awry for Brent

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Brent is a big fan of Twitter, but as someone with Down's syndrome he finds he gets relentlessly drawn into the big debates, such as abortion.

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Monctonian doesn’t let wheelchair stop him from using snow blower to clear his driveway

21 January 2019
Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/4870884/moncton-snow-blower-wheelchair/

in this article a man from manctonian called as  Grand-Maison was in lime light after her wife upload the video of him shower the snow on his wheelchair. everyone was surprised and inspired with but for him its just something normal as he was brought up like this. this is also like role perception as everyone thinks that person who is on wheelchair, is doing  something extra ordinary but for the person its nothing he doing thing he want to do ( Tate,2019)

Reference
Tate, J. (2019) Week 2; History, Different Models, Role Perceptions and Language [ PowerPoint presentation] Slide 8-11, Sheridan college, Oakville. Retrieved from https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/567404/viewContent/7532654/View

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Winter has always been a bit of a challenge for Guy Grand-Maison of Moncton.

Born with a disability, Grand-Maison uses crutches or a wheelchair to get around, but he doesn't let that stop him from using a snow blower to clear his own driveway.

"You can do everything if you want to," he said.

Grand-Maison's wife, Chantal, captured a video of her husband clearing out his yard following Sunday's storm.
READ MORE: Man skates through Tim Hortons drive-thru after nasty winter storm in Saint John, N.B.
Chantal, who is a physiotherapist, said she was inspired by her husband's ability to push through his challenges.

"I always encourage him to do more and to keep challenging himself," she said.

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Chantal says that when her husband was unhappy with the service from his snow removal contractor, he grabbed the blower and did it himself.

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When asked why, Grand-Maison jokingly said: "Because it snowed."

Grand-Maison said he never imagined or expected that after his wife posted the video to on social media, he would become an inspiration for others.

Grand-Maison, who tends to be a little shy, has been taken back by all the attention and has become a local celebrity.

"I am just opening my driveway, that is all I am doing. That's it," Grand-Maison said.

WATCH: New Brunswickers make lawn mower powered Zamboni
He says this is just the way he was brought up - when something needs to be done, you do it.

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"My mother and my father showed me that," Grand-Maison added.

But it is proving to be a big deal for a lot of people who have seen and are now sharing the video, which is serving as an inspiration for others with different abilities and those who let winter get them down.

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moncton man in wheelchair uses snowblower

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Monctonian doesn't let wheelchair stop him from using snow blower to clear his driveway | Globalnews.ca

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When Guy Grand-Maison of Moncton was unhappy with the service from his snow removal contractor, he grabbed the blower and did it himself.

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Wales disability support cuts: People experiencing 'real distress'

23 January 2019
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-46961292

This news article was about the the women who has been struggling after being cut down of services for her brother from the government. Her brother is completely  dependent on her and need assistance is basic activities as well. He is even on liquid diet so its more like care giving a child. So cut down of support had created real problem for her. On the other hand government has something else to say, they have been trying to provide all facilities which people need. But they other people too who they have to see according to government Jayne Newman's brother is getting more than required support and they just made few changes but support is still same (Martin,2019).

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Wales disability support cuts: People experiencing 'real distress'

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A woman who cares for her disabled brother says she was given "no reason" for a cut in support.

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‘We All Need to Help’: Outrage and Empathy After a Mother’s Death on Subway Stairs

Jan. 30, 2019

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/30/nyregion/mother-falls-down-subway-stairs-death.html

This article is based on the death of women of fall from stairs while taking the baby stroller with her. There have been a lot of people who struggle with this problems as there are no elevators at some subways at New York (Barron, 2019). People who uses wheelchair or parents who have their babies strollers struggles everyday for using the subways (Barron, 2019). They are even scared about their life while taking the strollers by stairs (Barron, 2019). It also caused major problems for people who use walkers, sticks or wheel chairs as these played are jut in accessible for them. The incident remind me about the environment barriers for people with disability. (Tate,2019)
Reference:
Tate, J. (2019) Week 3; Misconceptions and Stereotypes: Changing Society's Attitude [ PowerPoint presentation] Slide 4,5,7, Sheridan college, Oakville. Retrieved from https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/567404/viewContent/7732662/View

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‘We All Need to Help’: Outrage and Empathy After a Mother’s Death on Subway Stairs (Published 2019)

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Malaysia Goodson’s death prompted dialogue about New York City life for people with disabilities, parents, the elderly and the obstacles created by the city’s transit system.

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Discrimination: ‘I can’t take your guide dog, I’ve got an allergy’

6 February 2019
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/disability-47136278

This  article is about a man who has a service dog and he struggle as taxi drivers don't give him drive as he has service dog with him. He had faced that frequently and this had really upset him. According to rule drivers can't do that nobody should do that everyone have right to take there pet with them (BBC News, 2019). Here it's not pet it's a Service dog and drivers can't say no to its until they have allergies (BBC News,2019). This is discrimination, here the man who have assistance dog may not have a challenging life as much the society and public is creating barriers from him by refusing to take his assistance dog.(Tate,2019)

Reference
Tate, J. (2019) Week 3; Misconceptions and Stereotypes: Changing Society's Attitude [ PowerPoint presentation] Slide 4,5,7, Sheridan college, Oakville. Retrieved from https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/567404/viewContent/7732662/View

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Discrimination: ‘I can’t take your guide dog, I’ve got an allergy’

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BBC journalist Damon Rose went to court after a taxi driver broke the law and refused to take him and his guide dog.

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The ‘Disabled List’ in Baseball Gets Deactivated

Feb. 8, 2019

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/08/sports/disabled-list-baseball.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FDisabilities&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection

This article was about injured players list were referred as disabled list in baseball. from year baseball game is using this term for their players who get injured while playing. but later disability community object for this name. As it create misunderstanding among people they disabled people means injured people and they are not normal they are in pain. which is not true, there's comparison between these two as they are two different things. This is kind of role perception. As people consider people with disability as someone ho is sick or in pain, but its not like that (Tate,2019)

Reference:
Tate, J. (2019) Week 2; History, Different Models, Role Perceptions and Language [ PowerPoint presentation] Slide 8-11, Sheridan college, Oakville. Retrieved from https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/567404/viewContent/7532654/View

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The ‘Disabled List’ in Baseball Gets Deactivated (Published 2019)

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The term “disabled list” goes back more than 100 years. But after objections from advocates for disabled people, Major League Baseball will now use the phrase “injured list.”

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Disabled pensioners freed from 'unnecessary' benefits checks

5 March 2019
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47443955

This article really catch my attention from its tittle which say offer people with disability now have do not have to go through unnecessary assessment often for getting benefit. A lot people who have disability have been struggling to get support from the government for their living. Amber Rudd is working hard for making better facilities for people with disability. she also talk about increase government target for hiring more people with disability. (BBC news, 2019)

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Disabled pensioners freed from 'unnecessary' benefits checks

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Millions of younger people still face "failing" personal independence payment assessments, campaigners say.

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Autistic boy denied school place for a year in Cornwall

6 March 2019

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-47461569

This article is about a boy who have autism spectrum disorder and he was detained from school. According to school the boy had shown various academics difficulties and challenging behavior which they cant handle properly (BBC News, 2019). The parent were really upset about it and they had fight for their right and their lose which is boys educational and other needs which was missed because to the detainment, plus parents were being affect financial and psychologically (BBC News, 2019). The school had later admit that they were wrong on their part like for not being able to judge and implement boys need on time, which result that school have to provide funds for almost 2 years lose(BBC News, 2019).
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Autistic boy denied school place for a year in Cornwall

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A report found poor communication within Cornwall Council meant the boy's care assessment was delayed.

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Disabled women banned from No-Frills.
24/Feb/2019
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/disabled-woman-banned-from-no-frills-1.5028056

This news article is about how a woman with a disability was asked not to return to a popular No-Frills grocery store unless she has somebody with her to help to pack the groceries. Due to cancer, she had to remove her voice box and the surgery left her with limited mobility in her shoulders and arms, which made packing up groceries difficult. I was quite surprised because when she complained to head office, they offered her $100 as compensation instead to find a solution to include her by offering her help. Instead of finding a good solution they wanted to keep her mouth shut. Peoples attitude should change against people with disabilities. She was even asked to phone them before she was going for shopping to make sure someone was available to assist her. In my opinion that is not right because she should be treated the same as others because she is an adult and she can go at anytime to shop.Society and it's attitudes and policies really are what need to change.

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An Alberta woman who was left with physical disabilities following cancer surgery is fighting back after she was told not to return to a popular grocery store unless she brought help - because she couldn't pack her groceries fast enough.

A woman with disabilities is fighting back after she was told not to return to a popular No Frills grocery store unless she brought help - because she couldn't pack her groceries fast enough.

When Linda Rolston complained to head office, Loblaw offered the Alberta woman $100 in compensation on the condition she keep quiet about what happened and not take action against the company.

"They can keep the $100. I'm going to tell anybody and continue with my human rights action," said Rolston, who had her voice box removed in 2014 due to cancer. The surgery left her unable to speak without a prosthesis in her throat, and with limited mobility in her shoulders and arms.

David Lepofsky, a prominent advocate for people with disabilities, calls the company's compensation offer "a microscopic Band-Aid, which doesn't fix the problem."

Lepofsky, who is volunteer chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, says provinces need to set legal standards on accessibility for companies and crack down on those that fail to meet them.

"It's not going to change just by raising awareness," he said.

Rolston often shopped at the No Frills in Whitecourt, Alta. She says she had to "beg and plead" staff for help packing big grocery runs but was often told they were too busy.

No Frills franchises are part of the Loblaw group of companies. It is the kind of grocery store where customers are required to pack their own items and in exchange, the idea is, they pay lower prices.

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Woman with disability banned from No Frills store after failing to pack groceries fast enough | CBC News

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An Alberta woman who was left with physical disabilities following cancer surgery is fighting back after she was told not to return to a popular grocery store unless she brought help - because she couldn't pack her groceries fast enough.

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Walmart is getting rid of greeters, worrying the disabled.

Feb 27, 2019.
Source:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/walmart-getting-rid-greeters-worrying-disabled-n977256
This news is about nationwide Walmart stores in US are eliminating greeters with people with disabilities in favor of an expanded more physically demanding role. Now the new qualification for this role is that people will be able to lift 25 pounds packages, climb ladders and stand for long periods. I feel that this is a case of discrimination and also Walmart is devaluing people with disabilities through this elimination. Greeters with disabilities are very worried after hearing this news as most of the people feel very happy when they work there instead sitting home and doing nothing. And for some people this is there needed income. They were very proud that they are included in the society and are connected to the community while they were working at Walmart. This is a very sad situation. I believe that this is a form of attitudinal barrier. The employer's are believing that people with disabilities cannot equally contribute to the workplace environment. My opinion is that people have to change the attitudes about disabilities and provide them equal opportunities to promote equality and acceptance.

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Walmart is getting rid of greeters, worrying the disabled

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The retailer’s announcement came as a blow to those in the job who have cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other physical disabilities.

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Hot, disabled and not afraid to show it.

Feb 26, 2019
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/disability-47357622
This article is about Andrew Gurza who has cerebral palsy started a hash tag in twitter saying "DisabledPeopleAreHot". And he asked people to post pictures of themselves "feeling sexy" or feeling happy and disabled without feeling afraid. Lot of people around the world snapped their selfies and some took pictures with their mobility devices and posted in twitter. Andrew Gurza's hash tag become very famous in around the world. These images can influence expectations about people with  disabilities that they can also have relationships, they can also be sexy, they can also have a happy life and they can be what ever they want to be. These images can also increase their value in a positive way.

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It’s hard to find a new hashtag, but Andrew Gurza did just that, with #DisabledPeopleAreHot.

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House OKs bill to ban abortions based on gender, disability.

Feb 26, 2019.
Source:   https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/house-oks-bill-ban-abortions-based-gender-disability-61340736
This news is about Kentucky House passed a bill against abortions based on the gender, race, or disability of the fetus. As usual after passing the bill some people are against the bill and some opponents spoke against the bill. In my opinion, this is a very good decision they took. This bill can increased the value of people with disabilities. All human life has essential value. From the opponents we can see that there is lot of misconceptions and stereotypes against people with disabilities. They believe that people with disabilities are a burden. Medias can change people's attitude about disability through these types of positive news.

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ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

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Adaptive Video Game Controllers open worlds for Gamers with disabilities.

Feb 20, 2019.
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/business/video-game-controllers-disabilities.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FDisabilities&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
This article is about, Microsoft has released an adaptive controller for the Xbox one to support gamers with physical disabilities. This type of inclusion is very important especially those who faces more physical limitations including loss of fine motor skills, vision and hearing. Video games are a big relief from the physical demands and social pressure of the real world for some people with disabilities. My opinion is that, this is a great way of inclusion what Microsoft has developed.

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Adaptive Video Game Controllers Open Worlds for Gamers With Disabilities (Published 2019)

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An industrious community has for years devised workarounds to play video games. Microsoft’s new adaptive controller may allow even more people to play with their face, elbows and feet.

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Disabled man and able-bodied girlfriend document relationship to breakdown stigmas.

Jan 9, 2019.
Source:
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/disabled-relationship-love-wheelchair-shane-burcaw-hannah-aylward-youtube-a8720166.html
This is an interesting article about a man was born with spinal muscular atrophy who uses wheelchair since he was 2 years old and about his girlfriend who has without disability are attempting to breakdown the stigma about their relationship through YouTube videos. Their main aim is to normalize disability and relationships like theirs. Because they face lot of misconceptions when they meet other peoples. This positive imagery influenced lot of people which shows that they are valued, and they can also have good relationships and can have a good social life. We can change peoples misconceptions while promoting these types of positive imageries through social medias easily.

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Taco bell employee appears to refuse order from customer who is deaf.

Jan 5, 2019.
Source:
https://globalnews.ca/news/4818688/taco-bell-video-deaf-service/
This is about a video of an incident happened in Ohio at a Taco bell restaurant on New years eve. A man who is deaf refused service at a Taco Bell drive through after trying to place an order with the aide of his cell phone. Finally, that employee got fired and the Taco bell stated that their policy is to respect all their customers and employees and they are committed to maintain an environment free of discrimination or harassment. Washburn, the person who got refused service at Taco does not want to happen this with any other people who is deaf,  as these types of discriminations are happening  in all over the world now. Here Washburn is being devalued when he  got refused his order by the employee. When a person is seen as being different and negatively valued is a great example for discrimination. My opinion is that people must change their attitudes towards disability and treat them with respect and equality.

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A man who is deaf was apparently refused service at a Taco Bell drive-thru recently after trying to place an order with the aid of his cellphone.

The incident was captured on video by the man's girlfriend, who was in the passenger seat. It occurred at a restaurant in Kettering, Ohio, on New Year's Eve, NBC reported.

The footage shows a man identified as Brandon Washburn presenting his phone to the drive-thru window. The clerk then hands back a piece of paper.

"It's against company policy. I can't do it," the employee said and closed the window.

As Washburn continued to present his phone, the employee said he would call 911 if the man didn't move his car. The employee is later shown placing a phone call.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

Washburn's mother, Becky Rosemont Burch, posted the video on Facebook on Jan. 2, saying her son was trying to show the worker what he wanted to order.

"This is my deaf son getting discriminated against in the Taco Bell drive-thru on Dorothy Ln. in Kettering," she said. "He was trying to show them his order and they told him it was against company policy to take his order that way. Really?? Pretty sure the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) would say otherwise. Uneducated people."

WHIO7 reported that the police showed up, and an officer offered to enter the restaurant and place the order for Washburn, which he refused.

In a statement to NBC News, Taco Bell said the employee involved is no longer with the company and that other employees at the location would be retrained.

"Taco Bell has a fundamental policy to respect all of our customers and employees, and we are committed to maintaining an environment free of discrimination or harassment," the statement said.

Through his mother, Washburn told WHIO7 that he hopes it's the last time something like this takes place.

"It just happens so much - not just to me, but to other deaf people all over," he said.

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Taco Bell employee appears to refuse order from customer who is deaf - National | Globalnews.ca

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"It's against company policy. I can't do it," a Taco Bell employee told a man who was trying to place his order using a cellphone.

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Millions of adults with disabilities unable to carry out basic tasks on High Street, study suggests.

Dec 3, 2018.
Source:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mental-physical-disability-high-street-shopping-accessibility-study-results-a8664851.html
This article is a study of 2000 people with disabilities regarding the barriers they face in their day today life on High Street. It shows more than four in 10 people with disabilities are facing difficulties due to barriers in High Street. Some people with mental or physical disabilities are unable to do their basic daily tasks such as buying milk or posting letters due to their accessibility issues. Most of the building does not have ramps in high street. Some people cannot do their comfortable shopping because of narrow aisles, small doorways or loud music played in stores etc. Researches shows that most people found the thought of doing shopping at high street is very distressing. We can support them to create the environments are inclusive and a barrier free environment can help to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. The main goal we have to think is to change the environment to reduce the barriers rather than change the people.

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New sensory playground open in Saskatoon for kids with disabilities.

Oct 10, 2018.
Source:
https://globalnews.ca/news/4535154/sensory-playground-saskatoon-disabilities/
This news is about a new sensory playground opened for kids with varying disabilities at John Dolan School, Saskatoon which is the first sensory playground opened in the entire Western Canada. This is a very good example of acceptance and inclusion of all students with disabilities. The playground has various types of equipment's which kids can access in a safely and comfortable manner. This playground is entirely accessible to wheelchair and it has sensory panels, a sensory surface track for therapeutic bikes and a wheelchair swing which is very unique and imported from Australia. This type of inclusion promotes equality and acceptance and also kids with disabilities will get more opportunities to develop their communication and social skills.

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Charmaine Bellamy's 12-year-old son Luke has never shown much interest in playgrounds.

"Going to the playground has actually been kind of pointless in the past," Bellamy said. "There's nothing he actually feels safe and secure to do."

Luke has autism, is non-verbal and has a number of other medical conditions. It wasn't until the start of the new school year when the sensory playground at John Dolan School opened, things changed.

"To see him inclusive, to see him doing things I didn't think he was able to do - that he just felt comfortable doing. As a mom watching that, it was heartwarming."

The idea of this inclusive play structure was started by the school's parent-council in 2015. That's when fundraising began for the $583,000 project as well.

At the time, the only equipment that existed at the school was a set of swings the student's weren't physically able to use and the importance of having a playground was recognized.

John Dolan School principal Kathleen Underwood said the new space is a game-changer.

"I come out every day and I watch the students just being kids playing on the playground," Underwood said. "Before they didn't have access to equipment. If we went to another playground there were places they couldn't go there were things they couldn't touch."

According to Underwood there's nothing like it in Western Canada. The playground is entirely wheelchair accessible and features sensory panels, a sensory surface track for therapeutic bikes and, perhaps most unique, a wheelchair swing imported from Australia.

"Everywhere here is for them and that's the biggest piece for me," Bellamy said. "They have a right to the same access to recreational things in their lives as anyone else does."

When the playground opened in September, Bellamy remembers Luke trying the swings for the first time in his 12 years. She said there were two other kids on the swings beside him and, seeing him able to do the same things as other kids, thought "this is the definition of inclusion."

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New sensory playground open in Saskatoon for kids with disabilities - Saskatoon | Globalnews.ca

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The sensory playground at John Dolan School is the first of its kind in Western Canada and designed to meet the needs of kids with varying disabilities.

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Boy with autism starts Lego club for other children.
26/Oct/2018
Source:

http://abilitytoday.com/autistic-boy-starts-lego-club-for-other-children-bbc-news/

This article tells us about Blake, a ten year old boy who has autism started a Lego club in Sunderland.He had a dream to sett up a Lego club for youngsters with autism which has been full-filled.This is so encouraging for other people with disabilities too.This news creates positive imagery and we should promote imagery that is valuing and emphasizing the similarities rather than differences in others.This also shows that people with disabilities are not stereotyped as unhappy .Article brings an insight to others that people with disabilities are capable of doing everything as others in society.

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Introduction of wheel chair Barbie
18/Feb/2019
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/18/opinions/wheelchair-barbie-long-overdue-blake/index.html

This article tells us about the introduction of wheelchair Barbie. This news brings happiness to people with disability as it gives them confidence that society will be more inclusive for everyone.This also shows that toys are not stereotypes and do not ignore the fact that there are people with disabilities in the world. By introducing wheelchair Barbie it teaches kids to be inclusive of everyone no matter how they speak, look, or act. Kids with disability were waiting for this according to the news article. This tells us that they wanted to have dolls in wheelchair in order to represent themselves in society.

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Wheelchair Barbie – the doll I’ve been waiting my entire life for | CNN

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Melissa Blake writes that as a woman with a disability, she spent much of her childhood wishing for a Barbie that reflected her lived experience, and she is so grateful the next generation of children will have a doll that better reflects the diversity of Americans.

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By banning plastic straws upsets people with disability.
11/July/2018
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/11/health/plastic-straw-bans-disabled-trnd/index.html

This article talks about how banning plastic straws affect people with disability.There are people who requires plastic straws because they are not able to drink from the cup or a paper straw because of a disability. They can't use a straw made out of different materials such as a paper straw because it can dissolve easily.Straws made out of metal will be too hot or cold and can be even painful for those with symptoms with  jitters.We need to consider not to pollute our environment but at the same time come up with a solution that will be favourable for people who cannot drink without straw due to disability.In my opinion before banning straws we should have research on what are the other options that we can find to satisfy society including people with disability

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Daniel Gilbert uses plastic straws to drink his coffee in the morning. For much of his life, the 25-year-old has carried them with him everywhere. He's had to, because all plastic straws aren't the same.

Gilbert needs them to be the right length, and they have to be able to handle hot temperatures. And many restaurants don't offer what he needs.

The Owensboro, Kentucky, resident was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes the muscles to progressively deteriorate. As his muscles weakened, it became harder for him to pick up something like a cup, so Gilbert began carrying straws when he reached his twenties.

One night, he left his straws at home while he was at a bar with his friends. Typically, he uses bendable ones to position the straw closer to his mouth. But all the bar had was plastic stirrers.

"I had to manage, but it took a lot of effort," he said. "It was really exhausting."

Gilbert and other people with disabilities fear that a growing effort to ban plastic straws will limit their accessibility at restaurants, on airplanes and at other service establishments.

Starbucks announced Monday that by 2020, it will phase out the use of all plastic straws in its cafes. This came a little more than a week after Seattle, the birthplace of the coffee giant, banned plastic straws and utensils from the city's restaurants, bars and food trucks.

American Airlines said Tuesday that it too will eliminate straws from its in-flight beverage service starting in November, replacing them with stir sticks. The announcement follows a similar move by Alaska Airlines.

The bans are meant to be a proactive step in easing the burden that plastic waste has on our environment. But they also may make life more complicated for people in the disabled community who rely on these tools.

Why plastic is better than alternative materials

Going without straws can mean struggling through the physical motion of putting a drink to a mouth, or leaking liquid into the lungs, or choking.

Emily Ladau, an activist and writer on disability issues, has Larsen syndrome, a disorder that affects the development of bones. Ladau is primarily affected in her lower body, so she does not rely on straws, but opts for them because it can be difficult to maneuver in a wheelchair and drink at the same time.

For people who need straws, materials other than plastic just don't do the job.

Paper? It dissolves, or you can bite through them. Metal? It can get too hot or too cold, and can even be painful for those with symptoms like jitters. Reusable straws can easily be forgotten at home.

"Other types of straws simply do not offer the combination of strength, flexibility, and safety that plastic straws do," Disability Rights Washington, a nonprofit with offices in Seattle, said in a letter it coauthored to the city.

Gilbert has tried to do his part to educate others on why plastic is the most efficient material, but he often gets told he's wrong.

"I'd be more than happy to use more environmentally friendly straws," he said. "(The disabled community) isn't trying to be anti-environment. We're just protecting disabled people."

Starbucks, when asked about steps they would take to accommodate the disabled, said in an email, "Customers are still able to get a straw - made from alternative materials - and we will work with the disability community to ensure we continue to meet their needs going forward."

It is unclear what those materials will be or if plastic straws would still be available.

The London Plane, a Seattle restaurant, started using compostable plastic straws before the ban, which may be an ideal compromise.

But Kate Melges, the plastics campaigner at environmental group Greenpeace USA, said those straws still pose a threat as they must be incinerated at high temperatures to be broken down, which causes air pollution.

"You can't just throw them in your garden," she said.

Why focus on straws?

The National Park Service estimates that Americans use 500 million "drinking straws" a day.

Melges, who monitors ocean pollution, told CNN that plastic straws make up a small percentage of the debris found in the oceans and other bodies of water.

On cleanups, she finds many more food wrappers and plastic bottles than straws. But she believes straws are a simpler problem to overcome.

"They're a relatively easy item to eliminate," she said. "They're not a necessity for every single person ... they're the first entry point into tackling plastic pollution."

What the Seattle ban means

In the Seattle ordinance, there is a yearlong exception for those with disabilities.

"The new director's rule provides a waiver for flexible plastic straws, which can be provided to customers who need such a straw due to medical or physical condition," City of Seattle spokeswoman Ellen Pepin-Cato told CNN.

Proof of a disability will not be necessary, Pepin-Cato said. However, the decision to provide plastic straws if needed is up to businesses.

"Requiring people with disabilities to treat a routine fast food trip as something that requires planning and supplies is an unplanned failure in equity," wrote Disability Rights Washington in its letter to the city.

Ladau, the disability activist, expressed similar concerns.

"Straw bans are a microcosm of the larger issue," she said. "Access needs are entirely ignored."

In other cities with straw bans, such as Miami Beach, Florida, there's no such exception. Miami Beach is, however, considering implementing a three-month educational program to get feedback from residents and businesses.

"The (Americans with Disabilities Act) was passed 28 years ago," Gilbert said. "There should be sweeping policies."

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Why banning plastic straws upsets people with disabilities | CNN

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Banning plastic straws is meant to be a proactive step in easing the burden that plastic waste has on our environment. But the bans may make life more complicated for people in the disabled community who rely on these tools.

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Schools urged to provide training, goals for youth with disabilities.
30/Jan/2018
Source: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/30/schools-urged-to-provide-training-goals-for-youth-with-disabilities.html

This news article is about people with disability could include more pre-employment training through co-ops and other placements.By this way students will be linked with potential employers and postsecondary programs.So the students will have more opportunity because they have enough experience before they graduate.Sarah Jama, a former TDSB student who has cerebral palsy appeared at a recent TDSB meeting asked the board to approve an action plan to ensure disabled students get more work place and skills training.She worked as a day camp counsellor after Grade 11 and it helped her a lot to get in to the job after graduation.If the plan will be approved it will be a great opportunity for people with disability to be independent as others

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U.S. wont allow performance of Newfoundland play about man with disability.

24/Feb/2019
Source: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/02/24/us-wont-allow-performance-of-newfoundland-play-about-man-with-disability.html

This news article is about Paul David Power, a Newfoundland playwright who failed two year battle for a visa to perform in US.He was speaking about the barriers facing independent artists telling diverse stories.Even after providing formal requests from the theatre company and recommendations from Canadian artists and scholars attesting to the play's attributes , authorities said the application failed to prove it's "cultural uniqueness".This shows a lack of understanding about the rarity of seeing complex stories about disability presented on stage.This is a kind of bureaucratic barriers and officials said the material did not prove to be of cultural uniqueness or benefit for the U.S.It's not right to have a different rule for people with disability.In my opinion everybody in a society should have equal rights.We should not discriminate people with disability as a separate group

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Parents with disabilities face expensive options.

2/Jan/2019
Source:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/parents-disabilities-costs-1.4961002

This news article is about parents with disabilities facing expensive options  for buying accessible gear that would adapt to the wheelchair.When Michael Coady and his wife  decided to have a baby he researched about accessories that can be adapted to his wheelchair he was quite surprised to find out that there wasn't much option.Also the one which he found in the market was very expensive and he couldn't afford it.Elaine Churchill, an occupational therapist in IWK Children's Hospital said society had misconception that people with disability should not have children and that's why there was no much option for baby crib which can be adapted to wheelchair.Society's attitude about people with disability should change and promote alternatives which is less expensive to make them afford things that are their basic necessity as a parent.

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When Michael Coady and his wife decided they wanted to have a baby, he immediately started doing research.

Coady has incomplete quadriplegia from a fractured vertebra, and he knew that raising his child would require an extra layer of planning. But he quickly discovered that buying accessible gear that would adapt to his wheelchair wasn't as simple as shopping online.

"I was a little bit surprised that there wasn't more out there," he said. "I understand that it's a relatively small market but it was still surprising that there wasn't somebody servicing that market."

Instead, Coady turned to the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax for help. That's where Elaine Churchill, an occupational therapist, works with new parents with disabilities to help adapt baby gear.

'Not affordable for anyone'

Churchill said society is long past the stigma that people with disabilities should not have children, and she's surprised that businesses haven't caught up.

"If you think of a crib design with the solid front - the bars on the front - you can't get up to it with a chair, you can't reach over it to get into the crib. That would be one of the biggest issues in Canada: you can't buy a wheelchair-accessible crib, that I have found anyway."

Churchill is challenging companies that make baby equipment to start offering adaptable products for parents with disabilities. She said the few options that she finds online in North America are priced at a premium.

"I looked online before you were coming and there was one available for $3,000 - a wheelchair-accessible crib," she told CBC News. "That's not affordable for anyone really."

European market way ahead

Churchill works with parents with a range of disabilities such as arthritis and paralysis to help them do day-to-day tasks with their babies.

"If you can't get your child in and out of a crib, you have to get someone to do that for you. So you can't be fully involved in the hands-on parenting process."

While Churchill has yet to find options in Canada, she said the European market is way ahead. There she found specialized strollers that hook on wheelchairs and electronic cribs that can adjust their height and slide open the doors.

But instead of buying equipment with an astronomical price tag, Churchill works with a North American organization called the Tetra Society, which is dedicated to customizing equipment for people with disabilities. Churchill and Tetra's volunteers scour through online videos for ideas, and then work together to modify baby gear.

Rewarding search for solutions

In Coady's case, he wanted to come up with a way to carry his baby, Seth, while still being able to move around their home.

They bought a bouncy chair, and a Tetra volunteer cut off the base, allowing it to attach to his wheelchair.

"If you don't have anyone in your life that can make these adaptations and you aren't aware of those programs like the IWK and those services, it absolutely could be discouraging," said Coady, who was grateful for the support.

Churchill said she'll continue to hunt for innovative ways to help the new parents.

"It's very rewarding to find ways to make life successful for people."

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$3,000 for a baby crib? Parents with disabilities face expensive options | CBC News

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An occupational therapist at the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax is challenging companies that make baby gear to start considering accessible options.

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Young adults with disabilities discriminated against based on age, human rights commission says.

11/Sep/2018
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/adults-disabilities-manitoba-human-rights-commission-1.4819710

This news article tells us about discrimination against two young adults with disabilities who lost support services upon graduating from high school by the Manitoba government.The Human Rights Commission  found that Tyson Sylvester and Amy Hampton, along with other adults with severe lifelong disabilities are discriminated based on their age.This is not fair as people with disability needs support and funding through out their life no matter what their age is.He drew public's attention when he locked himself in a cage as a way of representing the feeling of being trapped by his disability.He is visually impaired and needs a screen reader that was provided to him in high school but was taken away when he graduated.Discriminating people because of their age group and that too with people with disability is not a fair decision of Government

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CBC News · Posted: Sep 11, 2018 8:54 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 12, 2018

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Young adults with disabilities discriminated against based on age, human rights commission says | CBC News

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The Manitoba government systematically discriminated against two young adults with disabilities who lost support services upon graduating from high school, the Manitoba Human Rights Commission says.