It’s the beginning of a new year so I spent a few moments in silence this morning; reflecting and praying for the families and friends of the many people who lost their lives over the past year. Initially, it feels as if the world will be just a bit dimmer without each of them. But...
1.) Assistive Technology affords the person being served the ability to have their plans in front of them at all times. Antiquated, printed copies of care plans on are not mobile - and are not as easily changed as the person-served accomplishes their goals. Assistive technology grants individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to feel more a part of the planning process as they...
Hi, I’m Steve Sutter, and I have problems saying no. (Others: “Hi, Steve…”) What’s worse is that because I can’t say no, I say yes. I say yes, A LOT. It seems that the only people that I say no to are those that I love and care for the most. That’s something I know...
Avatalk is one of CreateAbility’s most user-friendly apps in both use and implementation. It was designed as a tool to non-intrusively engage the person being served and solicit quick responses to important questions from an avatar-led platform. (To see avatalk in action, click here to view the demo.) Since avatalk’s inception, it is being creatively...
I don’t know about you, but I never really liked wearing a mask on Halloween. By the time I trick-or-treated the seventh house, I was pretty much over it. Now, I carry my N95 with me everywhere. I wash my hands like I just fished my cell phone out of the toilet (again). I can...
On February 10th, President Trump released “A Budget for America’s Future”, which entailed proposed spending for 2021. This report details how tax payer dollars will be most effectively spent to improve both critical and current needs of our country. In this report, the areas of concentration and increased and/or continued spending for the Department of...
Ageism is prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age. As a society, we tend to make the assumption that with age comes reduced capability and/or contribution based on a simple number. Yet technically – aging begins in our 20’s, when cells begin dying off at a faster rate than new ones are...
No man is an island, as the familiar saying tells us. When Parkinson’s disease hits one of us, the repercussions affect the wider community around them – particularly the family. As a member of a family where Parkinson’s is present, it can be very difficult to know what to do, say, or relate; not only...
Caregiver’s Perspective Being a caregiver is a high-demand role, period. While most develop their daily to-do lists, carefully checking off items as they accomplish them; caregivers of consumers with intellectual disabilities, TBI’s, and dementia typically experience a higher degree of variation from day-to-day in correlation to the mental state, physical health, and mood of the...
The Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado (BIAC) is a wonderful resource in Colorado for help and services for survivors of an injury to the brain, their families, and providers. BIAC’s vision is that all persons with a brain injury thrive in their community. Through guidance, resources, support, and education, BIAC seeks to facilitate the lifelong...