Odds & Ends

A little bit of everything...

I'm trying something a little bit different this week. Instead of my usual "topic of interest" I thought I'd share what's happening in my real life for a change. Some of you may enjoy this "detour" and some of you won't -- for you in group two, I'll return to the old format next week. Group one folks? Here we go!

Item 1: As some of you know, last year I applied for services from the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. My decision to leave my previous occupation (Licensed Massage Therapist) was a bittersweet one, having made some very good friends along the way. I kept the friends (good news there) but decided to leave the profession because I was no longer able to meet the physical demands of such work.

Almost a year later, I have passed the testing and evaluations. I have successfully interviewed professionals currently working in the Toledo area. Based on those interviews, I have chosen a new profession and I have the approval of the B.V.R. to go ahead and start evaluating schools.

As of this moment it is down to two: The University of Toledo, and Lourdes College. I must now make appointments to visit the schools before making a final decision. Oh, and my new chosen profession? Substance Abuse Counsellor/Case Worker. A bit of a change from massage therapy, yes? I'll let you know how that goes.

Item 2: If you've read earlier installments of this blog you are aware that I am having a ramp built onto the back entrance of our home, thanks to the kind generosity of The Ability Center of Greater Toledo. The bids are in, and a final decision was made, leaving nothing left but to sign the paperwork and watch in awe as craftsmen (and perhaps craftswomen) construct a ramp which will enable me to better exit and enter our home. I plan to take "before and after" photos and post them here sometime after the sawdust settles. Stay tuned.

Item 3: Not many of you know that since around January of this year I have been working on a secret project. The project comes in three parts, and I'm ready to unveil the first two parts today.

Part 1a. Introducing Buckeye Barrier Busters. Since my arrival here over a decade ago I have become (sometimes painfully) aware of the hit-or-miss nature of accessibility to buildings and events here in the Toledo area. We need education and awareness, to be sure, but a little activism now and again probably won't hurt either.

To that end, I have created BuckeyeBarrierBusters.org -- an organization dedicated to raising awareness of the barriers to access within our community, and working to remove those barriers. The website still needs a lot of work, but it's up now, and everyone is welcome to sign up for a free membership. We need your voice, so I hope you'll consider lending yours to our cause.

Part 1b. I'd also like to introduce you to our online community site, the Buckeye Barrier Busters Forum. Free to join and use as well, we have discussion groups, support groups, live chat room capability, streaming music, a photo album, an events calendar, and more being added all the time. Please come visit, and feel free to post a hello. Oh, and tell your friends too. The more the merrier!

Item 4: Just so you don't think this is all about me, I did want to tell you about the coolest new application (for the iPhone) I learned about earlier this week. Called the RunPee, this app does pretty much exactly what the name implies -- it tells you when the "slow parts" of a movie are coming up, so you can "run for it" and get back in time so you don't miss anything important or exciting. Just start it when the movie begins, and then if nature calls, you can just look at the screen on your iPhone and read when the next window of opportunity will arrive. It even fills you in on what you missed (via scrolling text) while you were away. While not created exclusively for the disabled, I know from personal experience just how useful such a device can be. If you've got an iPhone, you may never see a movie the same way again. :)

And that brings this week's posting to a close. I hope you've been enjoying the wonderful weather we've been having... and until next week, Go Buckeye's!

Local Attractions

Thinking about a "Staycation" this year?

A new concept we're hearing about these days is the "Staycation" -- in other words, finding attractions closer to home in lieu of the more "traditional vacation" which involves travel, and of course, spending a lot more money.

What follows is a nice list of local options for your summer vacation this year if you decide to stay close to home. Not all of these places may be handicapped accessible, however, so do call ahead if that is a concern for you.

Around Toledo:

Toledo Zoo www.toledozoo.org 419-385-5721

Art Museum/Glass Pavilion www.toledomuseum.org 419-255-8000

Metroparks www.metroparkstoledo.com 419-407-9700

Toledo Botanical Gardens www.toledogarden.org 419-536-5566

Willis B. Boyer www.willisbboyer.org 419-936-3070

Sandpiper Cruises www.sandpiperboat.com 419-537-1212

Wolcott House www.wolcotthouse.org 419-893-9602

Toledo Firefighter Museum www.toledofiremuseum.com 419-478-3473

577 Foundation www.577foundation.org 419-847-4174

Ritter Planetarium www.rpbo.utoledo.edu 419-530-2650

Ft. Meigs www.ohiohistory.org 419-874-4121

Maumee Indoor Theater www.maumeeindoor.com 419-897-8901

Ohio Theater (ohiotheatre@sbcglobal.net) 419-241-6785

Oregon, Ohio:

Maumee Bay State Park www.maumeebayresort.com

Sandusky, Ohio:

Cedar Point /Soak City www.cedarpoint.com

Merry-Go-Round Museum www.merrygoroundmuseum.org

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center www.ghostlymanor.com

Great Wolf Lodge www.greatwolf.com

Lagoon Deer Park www.sanduskyfunspot.com

Castaway Bay www.castawaybay.com

Port Clinton, Ohio:

African Safari www.africansafariwildlifepark.com

Camp Perry Lodging www.cplcc.com

Island Adventure Fun Center www.island-adventures.net

Put-in-Bay Jet Express www.jet-express.com

Oak Harbor, Ohio:

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

Crane Creek State Park

Marblehead, Ohio:

Prehistoric Forest www.mysteryhill.com

Monsoon Lagoon www.monsoonlagoonwaterpark.com

Marblehead Lighthouse State Park

Fremont, Ohio:

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center www.rghayes.org

Milan, Ohio:

Edison Birthplace www.tomedison.org

Aurora, Ohio:

Geauga Lake Wildwater Kingdom www.wildwaterfun.com

Cleveland, Ohio:

Cleveland Zoo www.clemetzoo.com

Christmas Story House Museum www.achristmasstoryhouse.com

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame www.rockhall.com

Canton, Ohio:

Pro Football Hall of Fame www.profootballhof.com

Whitehouse, Ohio:

Butterfly House www.butterfly-house.com

Whitehouse Shrimp Farm www.shrimp-farm.com

Waterville, Ohio:

Bluebird Passenger Train www.tlew.org

Grand Rapids, OH:

Mary Jane Thurston Park

Canal Boat/Mill

Downtown Shops

Bowling Green, OH:

Civil War Museum www.acwmo.org

Snook’s Dream Cars snooksdreamcars.com

Ottawa, Ohio:

Harley Davidson Museum www.benbreecehd.com

Archbold, Ohio:

Candy Cane Christmas Shop www.candycanechristmas.com

Sauder Village www.saudervillage.org

Columbus, Ohio:

Columbus Zoo www.columbuszoo.org

German Village

COSI www.cosi.org

North Market www.northmarket.com

King Arts Complex www.kingartcomplex.com

Olentangy Indian Caverns www.olentangyindiancavern.com

More Resources:

Michigan and the Irish Hills Lakes & attractions www.brooklynmi.com

Ohio Seasonal Guide www.seasonalguide.com

So what are you waiting for? Get out and go!

[Special thanks go to Diane Frazee of the United Way's Family Information Network for providing the bulk of this week's blog posting. Thank you, Diane, for your tireless support of Ohio's disabled, and their families.]

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.