THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTERAUGUST 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Derby City Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association Network- Serving Kentuckiana. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Message From the President Dear Members & Friends- At this month’s meeting, August 16 at 6:30, we will have a speaker from Paws with Purpose. They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing professionally trained, highly skilled service dogs. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. - David Allgood
NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL STATLER CENTER The National Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service is a 13-week program that prepares adults with disabilities for jobs in the hotel and tourism industries. The Statler Center, a program of the Dr. Elizabeth Pierce Olmstead Center for the Visually Impaired, is funded through a variety of foundation partners, including the Statler Foundation and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. There is no cost to attend the program. There are three classes per year (January, May and August) held in Buffalo, NY. For information on either applying or recommending someone for the Statler Center program, contact Michael Hill at mhill@statlercenter.org. The Statler Center’s job placement rate averages more than 80%. An application can be obtained for the Statler Center @ www.statlercenter.org/applicationform/appform-form.htm. There are still openings for the August, 2004 class. The Statler Center can also be reached at (716) 882-5690. | The following articles are from NewMobility.com-ed EASY LIVING PROGRAM EXPANDS Builders are paying the Atlanta-based EasyLiving Home program for the privilege of making their homes meet basic access standards. “Instead of trying to legislate ‘visitability’, we thought we’d try a volunary program,” says Mettina van der Veen, EasyLiving project director. “So new builders can get their homes certified if they meet certain criteria — visitability plus a few extra things.” EasyLiving Homes is an offshoot of Concrete Change, the group that created the visitability concept. Founded in 2001, the program is now expanding beyond Georgia. “I’m getting a lot of calls and e-mails from people around the nation who are interested in doing this,” says va der Veen. “People like disability rights advocate groups, builders, designers, some cities...so there’s definitely a need for this program.” Participating builders’ plans are reviewed by EasyLiving to ensure the criteria are met. A registration fee is also required. “We go over the plans to make sure the builders qualify, and if they don’t, we show them how they can make changes. Then when the building is done, an EasyHomes rep does an inspection to make sure everything is done according to the criteria,” says van der Veen. For more information contact EasyLiving Homes, 404/723-5503; www.easylivinghomes.org.
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THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER | ||
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| Derby City Area Chapter
The Derby City Area Chapter of the N.S.C.I.A. is a membership organization for individuals with spinal cord injuries, their families, and health professionals. Founded in 1984 as a Charter Member of the N.S.C.I.A., it was incorporated under IRS Section 501 (c) 3 as a not for profit organization. The Board of Directors consists of the Officers, Past President and the Board Members At Large. *** OFFICERS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER LIAISON TO FRAZIER INSTITUTE FUNDRAISING CHAIR CORRESPONDING SECRETARY/WEB MASTER PAST PRESIDENT BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE- NSCIA Editor- Barbara Davis Contributor- David Allgood | THEATERS MUST IMPROVE SEATING On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to review a lower court ruling affecting theaters with stadium-style seating, thus ensuring that theaters must offer more than just front row seats to wheelchair users. “It’s been a long time coming,” said plaintiff wheelchair user Tina Argetsinger in The Oregonian. “I’m very happy. It’s great to get angry, do something and have something come out of it.” The suit was filed in 2000 when Regal Cinemas’ stadium-style theaters forced wheelchair users into the front row, which has inferior sight lines. A federal judge originally ruled for Regal, saying that the ADA doesn’t specify that wheelchair users should have access to comparable sight lines, only an unobstructed view, but the appeals court found the ADA does require theater owners to offer wheelchair users sight lines comparable to those offered to nondisabled movie patrons. By refusing to hear Regal’s appeal, the Supreme Court affirmed this decision. In the noncompliant theaters, patrons enter at the front of the theater. One design that accommodates wheelchair users places an entrance in the middle of the theater. “Not the worst, not the best,” said Kathleen L. Wilde, legal director of the Oregon Advocacy Center, about what her plaintiffs expect. “Just give us what half the people in the theater get.” The suit now goes back to the U.S. District Court in Oregon, where the plaintiffs originally filed. This Court must now incorporate the findings of the Appeals Court into its ruling. The following is from Paralinks.com—ed ENTREPENEURS ON WHEELS The folks listed in this article have created/or operate their own business...they all use wheelchairs. Scott T. Duffy: Artist. In 1980, when he was sixteen, he broke his neck while bodysurfing. He was permanently paralyzed. He proceeded to get his GED, started classes at Suffolk County Community College and then in a year decided to go to a trade school where he could concentrate all his energies on one field of endeavor. Island Drafting and Technical Institute provided the format he needed in mechanical drafting and computer aided drafting. After graduating in 1987 he started working for a company called Linotype, designing letter faces and logos on computer. He started painting as a hobby in 1991 and although his hands were paralyzed, he uses a splint to hold the paintbrush and uses tape on the canvas to help make straight lines and different shapes. Handi Signs: A home-based business run by a man, his wheelchair, and his wife. Steve Hill was 18 years old one week before the accident which left him with a T-11-T-12 spinal cord injury. After years of struggling with lower abdominal pain, he (Continued On Page Four) | |
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| ENTREPENEURS ON WHEELS, CONT’D was in another accident that left him with a C6-C7 spinal cord injury. Although Steve has a bachelors degree in computer programming from Goodwill Industries, he was not able to find a job, even though he had sent out over 300 resumes. At that point, Steve and his wife Heather began their own business—Handi Signs. With Steve’s computer and graphic experience and Heather’s business sense, they started this business in the year 2000. Since then, they have made signs for clients in many states. Krazy Ken Graffix: My name is Kenneth Anglen, I’m thirty-three years old; in 1993 I was involved in a motorcycle accident leaving me a C6 level quadriplegic. After a yearlong stay in different hospitals, undergoing several operations and completing rehabilitation, I felt the need to attend college and learn a new skill in order to return to the working population. In 1999 I graduated from Metropolitan Community College with an associate degree in electronic imaging and graphics. After an unsuccessful attempt, due to lack of experience, in gaining employment, I launched Krazy Ken Graffix. A free-lance graphics house where I individually work with clients, on a personal level, to create artwork, logo designs, and web site layout. Krzykengrfx@theglobe.com Pie*Medical Corp.: Roy Abell, Chairman/Founder. Roy is a quadriplegic and out of his personal needs created the PIE* System and founded PIE* Medical Corp. This educational site is prepared for the medical professional, yet...we have kept in mind the individuals with chronic bowel problems. Randy Rogers: My name is Randy, I live in a small | South Georgia town near Valdosta, Georgia. I’m 32, divorced. I injured my spinal cord 7 years ago that left me paralyzed. I’m lucky that I’m able to live pretty much independently. I got my first computer 5 years ago. It basically changed my life in that it gave me the chance to do things I have never imagined. I wanted to learn more and more about webpage design, and still do. So it’s an ongoing learning experience for me. I’ve built numerous personal and business websites. Mobilizer torso support system: “A Dream Come True.” An Idaho company dedicated to the development of safety and assistive products that give the disabled community of the world a new rudiment of independence, while creating jobs for the challenged. Rick Williams, a paraplegic, inventor, was a ship-fitter/welder prior to his accident in 1985. Since his recovery he has operated Williams Welding Company, an R&D welding and wheelchair repair shop. Rick developed the Mobilizer out of the need to have more control and freedom of movement from his own wheelchair. Service Dogs Training School: Debbie uses a wheelchair due to True failed lubar spine surgery and scar tissue in the nerve root. She has formed the school, which is a nonprofit society. “We train dogs for use by folks with disabilities. The person who will be using the dog never pays for the cost of the dog, but do pay an application fee (usually about $100—$150) and the cost of the dog’s vest, leash, collar and backpacks. Assistance dogs, or mobility dogs, are trained to aid in things like opening and closing doors, opening cupboards, turn on and off lights, pick up things that are dropped, take off shoes and socks, pull up covers or pull them down, as well as a lot of other things.” The Cripper: Quadriplegic John Sutherland has designed and patented an innovative tool for quads with wrist movement. This tool may make life a little better for quadriplegics who have use of their tenodesis muscle in the forearm which pulls the hand back. The movement is common in quads with spinal cord injury at cervical vertebra 5th, 6th, or 7th level. No grip or finger movement is needed. Handiflex: FDA approved. Has been recognized to be the most comprehensive physical therapy exercise equipment available today for every man, woman and child with SCI or related trauma. Handiflex was developed and engineered with scientific precision by Bruno Roman, a paraplegic. Handiflex meets the therapeutic needs and demands of physical therapy at home and in rehabilitation and fitness centers. Global Access Travel: A global access company that is about telling you, the disabled traveler, how to access Sydney, one of the world’s greatest cities. “I am a Sydney (Continued On Page Five) | |
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| ENTREPENEURS, CONT’D sider who has been living in this Harbour City since I began university in 1989. It so happens that I use an electric wheelchair. However, Sydney is a very accessible city and what with the Olympic and Paralympic Games being hosted by us in the year 2000 everyone is pulling together to make Sydney even more accessible.” Matt Laffan, Managing Director. Les Menard: Inventor, artist, illustrator, and a quadriplegic. “The Kane Easel was designed and patented by Les Menard for disabled people seeking to find a way to read, write, and do their art. From a wheelchair, table or a bed the Kane Easel is versatile and durable. It can also be adjusted in many positions. Saratoga Access & Fitness, Inc.: “Several years ago I designed and built the first Saratoga Cycle for myself because I wanted aerobic exercise. I wanted equipment that was accessible to me...that I could use whenever I wanted to, probably without asking for setup help. As a C5/6 quad, I hadn’t exercised since rehab, almost 20 years. I worked out for just 10 minutes that first time, and felt great!” - Al DeGraf, Saratoga President. Teftec: Jim Finch, VP of engineering for Teftec Corporation OmegaTrac is a C-1 quad. He has spent most of his time since 1990 designing the OmegaTrac power wheelchair. A Texas corporation was formed to manufacture the product. Jim and his father, Tom Finch, have several patents on the unique features of the OmegaTrac.
| FOR SALE!!!!***2003 Ford F-250 lift-equipped green/gray van; leather seats, TV, DVD player. Playstation hookup, am-fm radio. Rick Miller, 937-2245. Shower Chair; 2 yrs old, negotiable; 2 RoHo cushions; low profile; $150 each; Invacare 900 Action Power Chair; 4 yrs. Old; $600. Call 448-5296. *RoHo High Profile 16x16 cushions; $160; 589-6620. *Wheelchair; 20” wide; adjusted petals; standard wheels; asking $2,2500. Quickie wheelchair; 19” wide; asking $2,000; needs batteries. New bedside commode; used; $75.00. Call 502-636-4043. *1984 Dodge Ram; handicap conversion; Crow River lift w/exterior/interior controls; heightened roof/door; captain chairs; exchange driver’s seat; hand controls; AC; AM/FM cassette & CB radios; wheelchair lock down/ties; rear bench; 2 spare captain chairs; 86,584 miles; good condition. Call 859-734-6852. *2002 Dodge Caravan “Entervan” (Braun modification); app 18,000 mi; remote operated oil recently changed; mechanic confirms excellent condition; used only a little more than 2 mos.; $34,000. Call 859-492-7971. *Ford 1997 Econoline Van; 100,140 mi; $16,000. Hunter Green-gray; new tires & brakes; “loaded”; call 270-786-4547; ask for Dale. *1994 Dodge Caravan, equipped with lock down for driving; cruise control; tinted windows; 56,000 miles; good condition; $14,000; contact Ina Hogan at 241-7849. *Hoveround MPV4; used only one year; 36” long; 23 1/2” wide; load capacity 300 lbs.; two direct drive motors; turning radius 17”; speed 5 mph. Asking $5,000 or best offer. Call 671-7656. *Jazzy Electric Wheelchair; $2,000; 812-867-0137. *1985 Komfort Koach Van with Power Lift; V-8; 350 BB; 5 liter engine; wheelchair safety straps; hook; television; power window and door locks; 127,000 mi; excellent condition; new tires; AC/front and rear vents; cruise control; AM/FM radio; tape deck; CB radio; game table and window shades; trailer hitch. Asking $2,995. Call 425-0314. *Heavy Duty Scooter; used less than 50 hours/2 new batteries; $1200. Call (502) 348-9305. *Liberty Stairlift/Set for 13 steps; $1500 soft; 937-9492 *Video tapes for sale. Various topics related to spinal cord injuries. Call David Allgood or Buddy Lawson. ***If assistance is needed to pay for any of the above items, contact Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation at for information on loans at 5% interest to qualified candidates. | |
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| You are cordially invited to join us! The Derby City Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association We meet: WHEN- Third Monday of every month from 6:30 to 9:00 PM If you wish to be a member, donor, and/or be on the mailing list of the Derby City Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association please complete and mail the following form to the address below
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