Learning to Ride

If you think someone with a developmental disability can't learn to ride a bike, think again.

Since 1999, Lose the Training Wheels Inc. has been teaching individuals with developmental disabilities how to ride two-wheel bikes - and with its special coaching and equipment, the success rate nationally has been an astonishing 70% -- far above what most would have expected more than a decade ago. Clearly, we need to look at the "hidden" abilities of the developmentally disabled with new eyes.

Locally, the Lucas County Board of MR/DD, Lucas County Special Olympics, Maumee Valley Civitan and Wersell's Bike and Ski Shop are sponsoring this year's week long "Lose the Training Wheels" camp from August 10-14 at the Tam-O-Shanter facility in Sylvania.

The program utilizes a stepping stone process. Each participant moves through a progression of bike types, beginning with an ultra stable training bike, and gradually progressing toward a conventional two-wheeler. Each biker attends one 75-minute session daily for five consecutive days.

Bike Camp last summer was a huge success, with 84% of the participants successfully learning to ride a two-wheel bike, placing NW Ohio above the national average. If you haven't yet tried something like this with your MR/DD son or daughter, I couldn't recommend it more. For registration information please call Tracey at 419-380-5175 -- but call soon as space is limited.

Ride on!

He's My Friend

...or, "Love me -- Love my Dog."

Many of us know that current laws protect the rights of certain disabled persons (such as the blind) when it comes to bringing your "service animal" along with you as you travel. Hotels and motels, restaurants, and other public businesses are required to allow you equal access to their establishments, within the guidelines set forth by the ADA. For a nice FAQ on those guidelines, and how a business owner must comply, see here. For the rest of us (abled and disabled alike) a pet is often not just a simple animal. They also offer us comfort, support and companionship. They are a beloved member of our family.

For someone with a cognitive or emotional disability, a "pet" can be an anchor to stability (or at least familiarity) while on an extended road trip or vacation.

Some disabled people live in near isolation, and for them, the idea of being separated from their "best friend" is unbearable, even if it is only for a few days. What if you have no close by friends or family who can shelter your pet while you're away? You could just stay at home... or, you could try and find a hotel at your destination which will love your dog as much as you do. Thankfully, that's no longer as hopeless a task as it used to be.

Allow me to introduce you to DogFriendly.com. Dog Friendly provides a service that any pet owner will immediately appreciate... they collect data on hotels and motels which have "open door" policies that include your dog (and sometimes cats too.) This can save you a lot of work and worry if you're planning to take Fido on your next family vacation. They offer online searches, guides, a newsletter, and even a blog for tips and tricks of the trade for dog lovers. Oh, and yes, it's free.

So, as vacation season rapidly comes upon us, give DogFriendly.com a closer look. You'll be glad you did. Just be sure if you're planning to take your furry friend on a long cross-country trek that you make allowances for his (or her) special needs. Food, water, frequent stops for "rest" and most important of all, remember that dogs don't wear seat belts. Drive safely!

Woof! Woof!

This Just In: Blog visitor Amy was kind enough to let me know of yet another great resource out there called GoPetFriendly.com. Not only do they provide up-to-date info about Pet Friendly accommodations, but they also have information on just about anything else you might need if you plan to travel with your pet... er, best friend. I was very impressed with their site, and I think you will be too. Thanks Amy!

TARTA and TARPS

... or, "and another one rides the bus."

(with a special nod to "Weird Al Yankovic" for that wonderful parody of Queen's song, "Another One Bites The Dust.")

T.A.R.T.A. (Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority) is our regional mass transit system, and this is one time when we of the disabled community can be especially proud. Each and every TARTA bus is equipped with a lift to accommodate people in wheelchairs. Since 1971, TARTA has been the "Ride of Toledo" and currently boasts over 40 routes in and around the Toledo metropolitan area, serving nine communities. TARTA's member communities include Toledo, of course, as well as Maumee, Ottawa Hills, Perrysburg, Rossford, Spencer Twp., Sylvania, Sylvania Twp. and Waterville. While the coverage area isn't perfect, and run times could always be better, the system works for the vast majority of those who choose to use it... and fares are a dollar or less, depending on factors like age or disability. Passes are also available, making paying for your trips quick and easy. See the website (linked above) for more details, schedules and exact service area.

Not able to make it to the bus stop? Not a problem. TARTA also offers a service called T.A.R.P.S. (Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service.) These "mini-busses" cover the same area as their regular busses, but offer service directly to and from your home. You can even make reservations up to seven days in advance. The cost is $2 per trip and is a great option for doctor visits, shopping trips, or just to get a ride downtown for a fun adventure... like a ball game for instance. Request information or an application by calling the TARTA ADA office at 419-245-5225, M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. or just visit their website if you prefer. 

So what are you waiting for? Summer is here (and as we Ohio natives know, it won't last long) so why not plan a bus trip soon? There's plenty to see and do in Toledo, and for once a physical disability may no longer be a good enough excuse to just stay at home. :)

Ramps and Renovations

... and what they can mean to people like us.

If you were working on a crossword puzzle, and read the clue "A four-letter word for freedom" I'm sure you'd scratch your head for quite a while before you came up with the word ramp, but for anyone with impaired mobility, a ramp is exactly that. Freedom. The same can be said of lowered counter tops, and other types of home renovations. All can mean greater freedom for those of us with a disability, or at the very least, a greater sense of comfort and control.

Every house on our street (most built shortly after WWII) use a common style of architecture where the main floor is elevated above the ground, requiring one to climb at least a couple of steps to allow entry. There is a practical reason for this, as it turns out. We happen to live in an area of the country which receives a lot of rain throughout the year. In fact, springtime flooding is not at all uncommon. That said, what is practical for one situation is not always practical for another, and for the disabled, steps simply are not practical. They are a significant barrier to many of us.

The simplest solution, aside from having someone carry you in and out (yes, I'm joking) is a ramp. One might also consider an electric lift of some kind, and indeed there are a few situations where a lift is a better choice, but I still have to go with the low-tech ramp as my structural enhancement of preference. They have no moving parts, are generally sturdy enough to last for years, and require little or no maintenance. They also allow you to "age in place" within your current home, a definite plus.

Almost any general contractor can probably build you a ramp, but I have seen (and used) more than a few ramps over the years, and in my humble opinion, if you're going to build a ramp, have it done right the first time. A poorly designed and constructed ramp is not only a waste of your money, it's a danger to yourself and to others.

Ordinarily, finding a good carpenter would be a hit or miss kind of proposition, but we in the Toledo area enjoy a considerable advantage here. Allow me to introduce you to Accessible Renovations, Inc. With over 30 years in the construction and renovation business, they bring a level of expertise and professionalism to their craft that must be seen to be appreciated. Do visit the website for a look at their online photographic portfolio. Never have I seen a better marriage of form and function. They build ramps, of course, but they also handle just about any other home renovation you might need... and their motto says it all, "Barrier-free solutions for better living."

Disclosure time. I never receive goods or payment in exchange for my mention of a product or company in this blog. My reviews are a result of investigation and personal experience. In this case, Accessible Renovations are currently designing a ramp for my home, and it is due in part to this personal experience that I make the glowing statements that I do. If you need a ramp or other home renovation, give them a call. I'm betting my reputation, right along with theirs, that you won't be disappointed.

'Nuff said.

So what does one do if you need a ramp, but lack the necessary funds to have one built? Thankfully, if you live near Lucas County, you can contact The Ability Center of Greater Toledo. Since 1997, The Ability Center has completed over 400 home accessibility projects (e.g. wheelchair ramps and bathroom modifications) using government grants totaling more than $1.5 million. You can apply for a ramp or bathroom modification under their grant program by completing a downloadable application from their website, or you can call them at 419-885-5733 (voice or TTY) or toll-free at 866-885-5733.

Oh, and if you do call either of these fine organizations, please tell them about this Blog. I'm sure they'd love to know where you heard about them. Thank you. :)

Bad Bathroom

When "accessible" just isn't good enough.

Okay. So first we had the three-part series on Ally's Law, and now this. I'm sure more than a few of you are wondering if I've got some kind of obsession with restrooms... or as we used to say, "issues." If the truth be told, I do in fact have issues, and so today I'm going to rant a bit on those. Hang tight. You have been warned.

Rant #1: Retrofits.

Ever been to a public restroom which clearly was never meant to be an A.D.A.-compliant facility, but is now (barely) because it has been modified in some way? My favorite example of this is the restroom which is so small they only had room to retrofit one "stall" into the space, and if you're lucky, one sink. Navigation is a nightmare, and once you're safely inside, you're lucky if you've got 3 minutes to finish before someone else wanders in and starts jiggling the handle. No pressure there, eh? I'm lucky if I can even start in 3 minutes... but that's probably more than you want to know... so let's move on...

Rant #2: Disrepair.

Closely related to the "handle-jiggling" issue mentioned above is the general issue of repair. Why in the world is the restroom seemingly the last part of any building that gets a regular visit by maintenance? Stall doors which refuse to latch (or even stay closed at all), toilet seats which seem to be held in place only by luck and gravity, loose or missing handrails, and my favorite, the empty tissue dispenser. Any one of these is enough to make proper restroom use impossible... and lucky you if you chance upon one with multiple problems. Cleanliness is also an issue, but again I digress. It's enough to make you want to stop using public comfort stations at all.

Rant #3: Design Flaws.

This is a short one. Who's bright idea was it to place the paper dispenser so that the opening on the bottom was only 5 inches above the floor? You need the manual dexterity of a monkey to allow a comfortable reach up inside the demonic thing, and then some only allow you to pull out 2-4 paper-thin sheets at a time. If you can locate the free end of the roll. I swear, I'm going to start bringing my own paper (and duct tape for the door.)

Rant #4: Flooring.

Okay, so I sort of (reluctantly) get this one. Still, why design a restroom using a type of tile or linoleum that not only perfectly hides any water that's on the surface, but also gets as slippery as a side street sidewalk in January if so much as a light fog touches it? Hello! It's a restroom! It's going to get wet. Often. If you depend on crutches for mobility, as I do, you take your life into your own hands every time you venture into a modern restaurant's restroom. They get wet, and they get greasy. But they have to be able to clean it, you say? Agreed. But have you ever been "mopped into a corner" while using a public restroom? I have. Nothing dries slower than a public restroom floor. I expect to find a skeleton inside one some day.

Rant #5: Gender Bias.

This only becomes an issue if you need assistance in the restroom, and your friend/attendant/spouse happens to be of the opposite gender. Aside from gender-neutral restrooms (which may be the greatest invention of the modern era) you have two choices; use his, or use hers. Flip a coin to decide who's turn it is to be embarrassed. Been there, done that, moving on.

In closing.

I'm agreed that most of my rants apply equally to "the abled" as well, and to them I raise a toast to our solidarity, and our common affliction. I also realize that when it comes to a restroom, no size fits all, and so some problems are just there to be endured. Still, I'd like to think that somewhere out there, perhaps even one of you reading this, is an inventor or engineer who will go beyond the cleansing value of my ranting and perhaps find solutions to some of these problems.

I can hope, and dare to dream.

Visitability

...and the impact it has on the disabled.

I learned just this morning that the Columbus (OH) City Council has recognized the week of May 18, 2009 as Visitability Awareness Week. Yes, this week. I wish they'd have told me sooner. :)

Visitability refers to the quality of a private dwelling that makes it suitable, or unsuitable, for visitation by someone with a disability.

A case in point: Another married couple, and dear friends of ours, currently occupy a home that is of a two-level older style, built long before anyone had even dreamt of the A.D.A. I have never visited their home, although they have been frequent guests in ours. The reason? Visitability. The main floor is "blocked" by steps, and no railings. Another major barrier for me is their sole restroom. It is located on the second floor, only reachable by another series of steep steps.

None of this is their fault, of course. We live where we live. In fact, our own home is no model of Visitability either. I've never visited the attic, or the basement (although my wife took pictures once so I would understand her when she described something about them that I needed to know.) I live on the main floor, where (thankfully) we also have a bedroom and a bath. As for house access, we still have steps, but at least one entrance will have to be ramp modified soon. As I age, it's becoming difficult to navigate them.

As you can imagine, this situation is not ideal for me... and I dare-say, for a growing number of us. Ultimately it becomes a quality of life issue, and can literally spell the difference between being able to "age-in-place" within our own homes, or be forced at some point to relocate into something like an assisted living facility. There's also an issue of freedom, and choice. How sad is it that as we age, or become disabled, we could become literal prisoners in our own homes, unable to visit others, or be visited in return? Socialization isn't just nice, it's necessary.

Frankly, there's not a lot we can do about current homes, or at least not those in our area of Ohio. Many were built around the time of World War II, or earlier, and the style then was based on whatever was cheap, fast and space efficient. Rooms were smaller, doorways were narrower, and the footprint was minimal. Some houses don't have yards. Many don't even have room for a garage. Homes can be modified, to a point, but there's only so much you can do, really. The rest we just have to live with.

Which brings us to the future. As the Boomers age, and the disabled become increasingly mobile, we need to start thinking a lot more about the kinds of homes we are building. Designing for Visitability just makes sense, when you think about it.

Visitability features rely on three basic tenets:

o       * An entrance that does not include steps or stairs but is accessible to a person with mobility impairments.

o       * Main floor doors and hallways that can accommodate a person in a wheelchair.

o       * An accessible bathroom with enough room to maneuver.

Doesn't seem a lot to ask, does it?

Currently, standards for new home construction are being revisited, and re-evaluated across the country. Now is the time to take action, and let our voices be heard. If you'd like to send a letter or email to your Ohio members of Congress on this issue, it's as easy as clicking on the following link, and filling out a short form:

http://capwiz.com/nacdd/issues/alert/?alertid=13207976

I hope you'll consider joining us as we lobby for this important building code revision. Our children are growing up fast, and we can decide what kind of world they will live in as they too, eventually, age and grow old. Will they have Visitability? I sincerely hope so.

Summer Fun for Them...

... and the respite is good for you too.

Today's Blog posting was going to be focused on Camp Courageous -- a specially staffed and adapted camping facility for those with developmental disabilities -- but as I was gathering research for it I became aware of the many other similar programs that our area offers to the disabled community. I will be expanding the topic accordingly.

Camp Courageous.

Founded in 1963 when there were no camps in this area that would accept children with special needs. Pioneering parents Marty Duncan and Ray Defrane wanted their children with special needs to have the chance to experience "going to overnight camp" like many children without disabilities do. They also realized that a planned week or two at camp would give parents a much-needed rest... or as it is called today, respite.

To date, it remains the only camp with the qualitative focus and commitment to ensure comprehensive outdoor recreational experiences for this special community in NW Ohio and SE Michigan.

• Year-Round Facilities
• Horticultural Therapy
• Vocational Habilitation Programming
• Naturalist and Photography camps
• Geo Team Building

The camp provides developmentally appropriate activities for all ability levels. Programs and activities are age appropriate and allow for full exploration of one's own abilities, interests and goals.

Camp Courageous is located at:

12701 Waterville-Swanton Rd.

Whitehouse, OH  43571

Phone: 419.875.6826

Email: SteveK@CampCourageous.com

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Camp Cricket.

A variety of summer day camp programs for children 5-22 years old. Camp Cricket is held at The Ability Center, Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm. Programs focus on building self-esteem, creating friendships, teamwork, participating in leisure activities and using creative expression. Special activities such as field trips, swimming and cookouts are scheduled.

Camp sessions are:

June 15-26 for 15-22 year olds.

July 6-17 for 10-14 year olds.

July 20-20-31 for 5-9 year olds.

Ask about overnight camp at Camp Storer for 14-22 year olds.

Registration is on a first come basis, so apply early. For more information, call The Ability Center at 419.885.5733

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Easter Seals.

A one-week summer camp in Sandusky. Limited scholarships are available. Funding is available for summer day camp for children with disabilities. For more information, call 800.696.5601 and ask for Phil for more information or an application.

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East Toledo Family Center.

Year-round child care and a summer camp program called Kids Kare. Summer day camp includes children participating in games, swimming, art & crafts, community garden and Special Family Events. Cost is $75 a week.

Summer camp runs from June 2 to August 22, 5:30am to 6pm., for kids ages 3-12 (children must be toilet trained.) Scholarships available. Call Jennifer at 419.691.4609 ext. 227 for registration information.

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A full listing of the many special programs available is beyond the scope of this article, but others include Equestrian (horse riding) programs, swimming and SCUBA training, and more. Just remember that summer can be a fun and educational season for everyone, no matter the level of their ability. Also, do not dismiss the added benefit to you, the caregiver of that special someone. We all have love to give, and energy... but the reality is, we all need a break now and then too. Do something special for yourself, and your child, today.

Note: I couldn't have authored this week's Blog without the helpful insight of Diane Frazee from the United Way's Family Information Network. They publish an amazing Summer Programs for Kids with Disabilities flyer, and a newsletter packed with schedules of local events, websites, support groups and more. For a copy please contact FIN at 419.254.4645 -- and tell them that you heard about them on this Blog. That'll make both of us smile. :)

Ally's Law (pt. 3)

How large does the umbrella need to be?

Over the past 3 weeks I've thought (and written) a lot about Ally's Law (a.k.a. the Restroom Access Act) and how such a law might also be of benefit to other "special" groups. I've also learned a few things about those individuals (mostly small business owners) who oppose passage of the law, and that's what I'd like to cover this week.

The group that Ally's Law is designed to serve accounts for a thankfully small percentage of the population. I can't imagine any business owner being asked to comply more than once or twice a month. So, what exactly are the objections to it's passage? For one, business owners worry about insurance concerns related to allowing non-employees to use facilities which may not be up to "public access" or ADA codes. Ally's Law addresses this with a provision that exempts business owners whose facilities are not readily accessible, or if compliance would pose a significant financial burden to make them fully accessible. Another objection has to do with security issues. This too has been addressed. A business may claim itself exempt if there are less than two employees (some versions of the law allow three) available to keep an eye on things (figuratively speaking, one hopes) while the customer uses the restroom. There is also an exemption if the restroom area is used to store inventory. Creepy thought, that.

There are other issues as well, such as what to do with children while mommy or daddy use the restroom (most employee facilities are too small for more than single occupancy, it seems) and of course, the logistics of keeping up with the law, and verifying exactly who qualifies and who does not.

Now, all of these are valid concerns, and I expect they will be addressed as Ally's Law moves forward, and is revised over time. I for one do not believe in a perfect law, and I admit that this one in particular is going to need a bit of fixing up before it's ready for prime time. That said, I'd rather have to fix a broken law than wait for a "perfect" version, so I'm still firmly behind (no pun intended) Ally's Law.

So who currently benefits from Ally's Law? In the eight or so states which have already passed it, it covers two general classes of individual. Persons with a form of IBD, and pregnant women. Both require written proof of their eligibility under the law, and must provide that proof upon request before gaining admittance to an "employee-only" restroom (assuming public facilities are not available -- another exemption.)

Now, I think Ally's Law is necessary, and I think we need to pass it nationwide as soon as possible, but I'm also left pondering those persons excluded by the Restroom Access Act. Individuals with certain disabilities would certainly qualify as "needful" in the "gotta go now" category, would they not? How do we exclude the blind, the wheelchair bound, and those with other physical limitations that make rapid navigation to a (hopefully) nearby public restroom infeasible? Ultimately, we won't be able to, and perhaps this is the real fear lurking behind the resistance to Ally's Law. If the Ally's Law "placards" end up being anything like the disabled parking placard program has become, we're all in trouble. I hope we've learned from that past mistake.

Side Note: While we wait (somewhat impatiently) for Ally's Law to wind its way through the system, the topic of where to find a "clean" public restroom still looms large on the horizon for all of us. This is especially true of travelers, who each summer around this time begin planning trips across country, where restroom location, and suitability, are always in question.

Enter a project sponsored by Charmin, called SitOrSquat.com. It's an ever-growing online database, powered by Google map technology, that allows you to locate restroom facilities near to your current location, and rate them on their cleanliness as well as read the ratings of others. The project is still new, but growing, and I expect it will do well, given the obvious need for this type of information. Support it if you can. I know I will.

Ally's Law (pt. 2)

More on the Restroom Access Act.

Last week I shared the story of teenager Ally Bain who (along with her mother and Illinois state Rep. Kathleen Ryg) worked to pass a law that provides access to normally restricted restrooms for those with certain medical conditions such as IBD, Crohns and Colitis. This law, now known as Ally's Law, has gone on to be passed in several other states, and is being considered by the state legislators of at least 8 others. A national law is a distinct possibility.

Ohio is one of the states currently considering this legislation, and as a disabled person with Colitis I look forward to its passage with an even greater degree of anticipation than most. If there is anything more distressing than having a form of IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) it would have to be having IBD along with a disability which impairs your mobility.

For those who are unaware, IBD (along with Colitis and Crohns) causes a sudden and uncontrollable need to use the restroom, often with unpleasant results if such access is unavailable. It affects your life in a very insidious way, often forcing you to plan your daily activities based almost entirely on the location and availability of public restrooms. Since developing Colitis over 20 years ago, I have not been to a single sporting/stadium event. Outdoor events like our annual "Rib-Off" are also problematic. Independence Day firework displays? Forget it.

This is what makes Ally's Law so important. I have been where Ally was, and it's no picnic. On more than one occasion I have been denied access to a readily available restroom because "it's for employees only" or "our insurance forbids it." I have had to abandon a cart filled with merchandise in the store while I rushed out in search of a nearby restaurant, just to use their public restroom. Rarely did I feel like returning for my abandoned items. I wonder if anyone has ever calculated the loss to a business due to refusal to allow bathroom access? I'm betting the cost is higher than one might suspect.

So we need Ally's Law, and we need it on a national level. I plan to get involved with this issue... starting right here in Ohio... and then I'm moving on from there. I hope I can count on your support when this comes up for a vote where you live.

Next week: Ally's Law part three, where I discuss other disabilities, and how they too deserve inclusion under the protective umbrella of the Restroom Access Act. Until then, please feel free to share my blog with others. It's just one man's opinion, but it's where I sit. :)

Ally's Law

(a.k.a. The Restroom Access Act)

On March 31st of this year, Michigan became the fourth state (after Illinois, Minnesota and Texas) to pass the Restroom Access Act -- sometimes also known as "Ally's Law" -- named after Ally Bain, who helped bring Crohns, Colitis and IBD into the national spotlight by sharing her story.

The following excerpt is reposted from CrohnsAndMe.com.

Ally Bain, a Crohn’s patient and teenager, experienced something that changed her life. While at a national retail clothing chain store with her mother, she suddenly had to use the restroom. They quickly ran to a manager to ask to use the employees-only restroom. But Ally was denied access and had an accident in the store. As she and her mother drove away, they vowed to never let that happen to anyone again.

With her family, friends, and State Rep. Kathleen Ryg, Ally worked to get a new law passed in Illinois. The law requires businesses to make employee-only restrooms available to people with inflammatory bowel disease and other medical conditions such as pregnancy and incontinence. The law states:

A retail establishment that has a toilet facility for its employees shall allow a customer to use that facility during normal business hours if the toilet facility is reasonably safe and all of the following conditions are met:

1. The customer requesting the use of the employee toilet facility suffers from an eligible medical condition or utilizes an ostomy device.
2. Three or more employees of the retail establishment are working at the time the customer requests use of the employee toilet facility.
3. The retail establishment does not normally make a restroom available to the public.
4. The employee toilet facility is not located in an area where providing access would create an obvious health or safety risk to the customer or an obvious security risk to the retail establishment.
5. A public restroom is not immediately accessible to the customer.

Currently there are eight more states (that I'm aware of) which are working to pass this bill into law. Those states are, in no particular order, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ohio.

If you live in one of these states, please write to your representatives and show your support for this important legislation. For an easy online form to help you help us (I've suffered with Colitis for over 20 years, so trust me, we do need this) please visit the following page. Don't live in a state with pending legislation? You can also help by writing to your representatives and suggesting that they sponsor the bill, or just become an advocate by going here. Thank you.

This law is a great first step, but like all first steps, there's always more that needs to be done. Bathroom access is an issue important to anyone with a disability, not just someone with a form of IBD. Once in place nation wide, I feel that Ally's Law needs to be extended to cover other disabilities... but more on that next week. Until then, please let's keep using our voices to create positive change. We can do it. If we won't, who will?

Driving and the A.D.A.

Two things you perhaps didn't know.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (and updated in 2008 to give broader coverage) has many provisions within it to help "level the playing field" for those with a recognized disability. It's a massive piece of legislation, and is well worth the time it takes to read it. You can find a link to the A.D.A. official website on this page, which has links to a huge body of informational resources.

Today I'd like to highlight two provisions of the A.D.A. which should be of special interest to anyone with a disability who also drives. I used to drive (but do so no longer by personal preference) and can remember the days before 1990 when the laws recognized no difference between myself and an able-bodied driver. Mostly this was not a problem, but there were times when the two A.D.A. provisions listed below would have saved me a bit of grief. So what are these special provisions?

Gas Stations. Once upon a time, gas stations were all "full service." For the benefit of you readers who are too young to remember, this meant that when you pulled into a gas station, a smiling (usually) young man would dart toward your car, rain or shine, and dutifully pump your gas, clean your mirrors and windshield, and would even check your fluid levels and tire pressure if you asked. When all that was done, he'd take your money, and even make change if required. Tipping was permitted, if you were so inclined, but all of this exceptional service ultimately cost no more than the price of the gas you had purchased. The best part? You never had to leave your car.

Ah, those were the days.

Then came the concept of dividing the station into "self service" and "full service" sections. As before, if you pulled into a full service lane, a young man (perhaps not smiling as much) would still dart toward your car, and pump your gas, but this came at a slightly higher price at the pump. Those who opted to "self serve" did exactly that. They pumped their own gas, and saved a bit at the pump for doing the work themselves.

This, however, put the disabled driver at an unfair disadvantage, many would say. Disabled drivers who were unable to easily exit their vehicles were forced to use the full service lanes, and thus pay the higher prices. One of the provisions contained within the A.D.A. corrected this inequity by requiring gas station attendants to pump gas for disabled drivers at the self service pumps, and they were not allowed to charge full service prices for doing so.

Nice.

Of course, now nearly all gas stations (especially in metro areas) are self service, and this poses special problems for those drivers who are unable to pump their own gas. All is not lost, however. The A.D.A. provides for this by requiring attendants at such stations to come to your car if summoned (either by honking your horn, pushing a special "call button" on the pump, or by other means) and pumping gas for you without charging more than the regular price for such service. Additional services are extra, though, so you'll have to find a car wash if dead bugs have obscured your windshield.

Parking. Now here's one that too many disabled drivers don't know about, but should. The law states that a qualified person displaying a disabled placard or license plate on their vehicle can park in a metered spot and is exempt from paying the meter fee. This person is also exempt from any time limitations imposed (i.e. a 1 hour limit.) This person, however, cannot park in the space during a time when parking is prohibited (i.e. No Parking from 5-7 PM), and if the vehicle is a traffic hazard, the vehicle must be moved at the direction of a law enforcement officer to a location designated by the officer. Still, this is a pretty nifty accommodation.

Now, there are those who feel that these are not exactly fair accommodations. To them, I would just say that both exist for valid reasons. Some wheelchair bound persons can't reach a meter to "feed" them quarters, and the extended time allowances compensate for the longer transit times often required by the disabled... but I digress.

I hope you found today's posting useful, or at least informative. There's a lot more to explore when it comes to the A.D.A. and I plan to cover that in future postings to this blog. Meanwhile, follow the link to the A.D.A. site and see all that there is to see. Information gives you power. Use it.

P.S. Do you have questions about disability issues, laws or devices to aid the handicapped? If so, I invite you to email me at BuckeyeBarrierBuster@Buckeye-Express.com. I'll collect your questions and devote a future blog post to answering them. So until next time, keep rolling!

Who You Gonna Call?

... when you don't know who to call.

Imagine this: Last night you discovered a baggie full of something you're pretty sure is an illegal drug in your son's room. After a confrontation and ugly argument, he finally admits he has a problem. You decide on a Rehabilitation Program, but which ones are available in your area? What about support options afterwards?

Never happen to you? Okay.

Imagine this: Your aging mother, who lives alone in another state, suffers a mild stroke. After she is released from the hospital, she wants to return to her own home to live, but that just isn't practical since she shouldn't be left alone any longer. Sadly, you also don't have room for her in your own home. Nursing homes are a last option, in your opinion. Perhaps there's a way she can remain in her existing home, with help... but who do you call for information?

Never happen to you? Okay.

Imagine this: Since you reached retirement age, you find yourself bored to tears. You still have a lot of heart and energy to give, and you consider volunteering with a local charitable organization... but which one? There are so many! Is there anyone you can call to help you narrow down the possibilities?

Right now, the answer to these questions is both "yes" and "no" -- depending on where you live.

The United Way of America, in conjunction with the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) has teamed up to begin implementing a new system for community information sharing called the 2-1-1 System. Like the name suggests, areas covered by this system (see the 2-1-1 website for current coverage areas) will have centralized calling centers which can be reached 24-hours a day simply by dialing "2-1-1" on any telephone. Your call will be answered by a trained volunteer who has a comprehensive database at their disposal, listing organizations and resources available in your area that can render assistance with your particular problem. Looking for training, affordable housing options, food banks, support groups or an opportunity to volunteer? You can be connected to all of this, and more, with one simple (and easy to remember) phone number.

As of this posting, Erie, Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties in Ohio are covered, with more being added as time and resources permit. You can help get the 2-1-1 system going in your county by contacting your state representative or congressman. See the 2-1-1 website for an easy to sign petition if you'd like to add your voice to ours.

You've heard me speak about the power of information before, so it should come as no surprise that I'm a big supporter of this program. We need a national 2-1-1 system, and the sooner the better. I hope we can count on your support as well.