EnableLink: Technology: Articles

April 2^nd, 2008

Technology: Articles

Abilities Magazine Archive

Making IT Work New Findings and Tools from the DIS-It Research Alliance: Information technology (IT) has contributed to improved accessibility in some cases, but much of IT is itself inaccessible, creating more exclusion rather than ...
73 Winter, 2007
Segway Out There?: The Segway Human Transporter is still ...
67 Summer, 2006
Opportunity Knocks: By Cindy Rehberg

One of the newest opportunities for people with disabilities who are thinking about self-employment is the online Business Abilities Program started by the Canadian Society for Social ...
65 Winter, 2005
Make the Info Work for You Reliable Online Health Info for Canadians Living with Disabilities: By Devon Wheeler

Canadian Health Network is a website that directs Canadians to the most reliable online health ...
65 Winter, 2005
Can You Use the Phone? Disability and Telecommunications in Canada: By Phyllis Gordon

While Canadians are known to talk a lot on the phone, for people with disabilities this fundamental social interaction is fraught with ...
64 Fall, 2005
Home Hardware Control Your House with High-Tech Gadgets: By John Hudson

For people with disabilities, there are now unprecedented opportunities for greater independence thanks to explosive growth in home automation ...
63 Summer, 2005
Access to the Greens: By Doug Stewart

Specially equipped golf carts help people with disabilities enjoy the ...
63 Summer, 2005
Solar-Powered Hearing Aid Battery: Innovative African technology might offer a solution to the high cost of hearing aids for Canadians with hearing ...
63 Summer, 2005
Making Technologies Accessible Research Alliance Works to Eliminate Barriers: Personal computers. Bank machines. Cellular phones. The Internet. Online learning. These and a multitude of other information and communication technologies (ICTs) are an increasingly pervasive part ...
62 Spring, 2005
Access Guide Canada As Easy as One, Two, Three!: By the Canadian Abilities Foundation

Access Guide Canada provides detailed information on accessible facilities in communities across Canada. Whether you’re travelling, shopping, banking or meeting friends, don’t get stopped in your ...
62 Spring, 2005
The Misinformation Superhighway Health Help on the Internet: By Angela Butera Dickson

The Internet can be a boon for people looking for health information. On the other hand, a surprising number of websites provide false claims, fake studies and empty promises. It is possible to find ...
62 Spring, 2005
Public Speaking Real-Time Captioning is Taken up a Notch: By Sandra L. Howe

People with hearing disabilities may one day soon be able to “listen” to other people speaking using, palm-sized computerized devices. Voice recognition has made huge strides in the past few years, ...
62 Spring, 2005
Love Connections Finding Relationships Online: By Anna Quon

Many people with disabilities are finding the Internet to be a great tool for making friends and discovering romance. It levels the playing field and allows people to get to know each other from the ...
62 Spring, 2005
EnableLink Celebrating Five Years of EnableLink: By the Canadian Abilities Foundation

When EnableLink, the Canadian Abilities Foundation’s website, was officially launched five years ago, we knew it would make a difference. Thanks to the vision of Glen Wright, then-chairperson of the ...
59 Summer, 2004
A Creative Employment Solution: By the Canadian Abilities Foundation

Canadians with disabilities have a new opportunity to become their own boss, thanks to the Internet Business Development for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (IBDE) ...
58 Spring, 2004
CAILCâ€™s Website has a New Look: By Michael Horne

A redesign CAILC’s website has resulted in an exciting new means to educate and share information about Independent Living and the components of CAILC and our network of ...
58 Spring, 2004
A Job Site with a Difference The NEADS Online Work System (NOWS): By Jennifer Asuncion

The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) has created a job site with a difference. The NEADS Online Work System (NOWS) is the organization’s ...
58 Spring, 2004
News that Jumps off the Page... And Goes Straight to Your Ear: By the Canadian Abilities Foundation

Tune in to VoicePrint Canada today and hear the latest stories from more than 100 Canadian newspapers and ...
58 Spring, 2004
Black Amputee Offered White Prosthesis: By the Canadian Abilities Foundation

Ingrid Nicholls of Berkshire, England, was stunned to learn that after her foot was to be amputated, the hospital would offer her a white prosthetic limb. Nicholls is ...
57 Winter, 2003
Access Guide Canada Mapping the Wise Society: By the Canadian Abilities Foundation

With Access Guide Canada (AGC), an ambitious, online directory of accessible public space in Canada, we are mapping out which parts of society are working well for us. And we’re spreading the word. ...
57 Winter, 2003
EnableLink Got Cabin Fever?: Looking for an accessible getaway this fall – a resort, beach house or chalet to enjoy the colours of the season? Here’s a sample list of ten possibilities, taken straight from the Access Guide ...
56 Fall, 2003
EnableLink Word on the Screen: In this article, find out how to sign up for the Canadian Abilities Foundation’s free electronic newsletter, filled with disability news and information. Find out about upcoming chats on the ...
54 Spring, 2003
David Chalk Wired for Success: By Roger B. Jones

As a child, David Chalk was regularly singled out as the class’s worst speller and reader. But he credits his dyslexia as the reason behind his success today. That success has involved building a ...
54 Spring, 2003
Together We Conquer the Dark The Directional Guidance and Safety Lighting System: The path to a more independent and safer lifestyle for those individuals with cognitive disabilities has begun. Over three years ago, Pathways To Independence, a non-profit agency that supports ...
54 Spring, 2003
EnableLink Access Guide Canada - Get Involved!: From accessibility information across Canada to online chats to monthly newsletters, there are many ways for you to get involved in the activities of EnableLink, the Canadian Abilities Foundation’s ...
53 Winter, 2002
Closed Captioned TV The Right Thing to Do: By Mary Gusella

If you are a member of Canada’s Deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing community, perhaps you have been enjoying closed captioning of all programming on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) ...
53 Winter, 2002
Celebrating Gadgets and Gizmos Tetra Ontarioâ€™s First Gizmo Awards: On May 31, 2002, a group of 130 people gathered at the CNE Banquet Hall in Toronto to attend the Gizmo Awards 2002, celebrating the work of outstanding Tetra volunteers. The awards luncheon, ...
52 Fall, 2002
Access Guide Canada: By Raymond D. Cohen

Pack your bags… the Canadian Abilities Foundation is embarking upon a most exciting adventure! We are building Access Guide Canada, the most comprehensive national online listing of accessible ...
51 Summer, 2002
Washroom Woes An Entrance Manual for Walker Users: By Anita Arnold

When you use a walker and need fast access to a public washroom, the biggest challenge is often simply getting through the door. This writer presents her own novel solutions to a range of ...
51 Summer, 2002
EnableLink A Growing Community: As EnableLink continues to expand, we can report a great response to the first edition of our e-newsletter, growing resources and content, and more participation than ever before on our ...
51 Summer, 2002
A Higher Quality of Life Initiatives Supported by the Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation: The Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation supports initiatives that help people with significant disabilities achieve a higher quality of life. The following are some organizations that exist because of ...
51 Summer, 2002
That Sinking Feeling Thereâ€™s Such a Thing as Too Much Power: By Audrey King

Most people with motorized wheelchairs respect the power they sit on. But sometimes the power can get a little out of control – with hilarious consequences. This author recounts her misadventures ...
50 Spring, 2002
EnableLink Building the Community: An important feature of our EnableLink website is participation of the community. Find out how we’re using your feedback, and what opportunities are coming up in the future for you to share your ...
50 Spring, 2002
Trust and Technology The Key Enablers: By Alan Breakspear

The real enablers for all of us, no matter what obstacles we face, are passion and perseverance. But in today’s world, the obstacles we face get bigger if we don’t have the right tools, and if we ...
50 Spring, 2002
That All May Read... Opening Doors to the New World of Digital Information: By Lawrence Stevenson

For thousands of Canadians who are blind or have low vision, the ability to read is a prime source of independence, quality of life and self-esteem. Take Aaron Marsaw, a law student and client of ...
50 Spring, 2002
Get the EnableLinker and Join the Community!: Coming soon to the EnableLink site is the new EnableLinker electronic newsletter. Sign up for relevant, newsworthy information through your personal e-mail account! Also in this issue: join us for ...
49 Winter, 2001
Virtual LD Community Bringing Cutting-Edge Research into Classrooms: By Bruce Etheridge

The University of Toronto’s Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC) has created a unique online learning disabilities (LD) community dedicated to bringing cutting-edge research, innovative ...
49 Winter, 2001
CIAP is Welcomed: The Community Information Access Project (CIAP) on EnableLink was officially launched this summer. Read about this event, as well as upcoming features and publications you will soon find added to our ...
48 Fall, 2001
Self-Advocacy Training A Project to Evaluate Classroom and Online Learning: By Tanis Doe

Almost two years ago, CAILC received funding to evaluate classroom and online learning from the Office of Learning Technologies (OLT), a division of Human Resources Development Canada, which works to ...
48 Fall, 2001
EnableLink New EnableLink Features: The redesigned EnableLink has been unveiled, and a host of new features have been added. We’ve also announced the official launch of the Community Information Access Project (CIAP), which allows ...
47 Summer, 2001
Rainbows of Chaos: A Special Feature on the Arts Websites: The Internet is a Groundbreaking Way for Artists with Disabilities to Showcase Their Work: In this feature on arts and disability, read about a photography exhibit of deafblind Canadians, learn to create a colourful mandala, get geared up for upcoming arts events, and explore the web, ...
47 Summer, 2001
Two-Tiered Democracy? Government Information and Citizensâ€™ Rights: By Sharlyn Ayotte

Our government has committed to making us the most connected society in the world. A global electronic revolution is enabling advances in online systems that broaden the delivery of services, and ...
47 Summer, 2001
Canadian Health Network New Web-Based Resource on Health-Related Information: By William Land

Do you have questions about your health, or the health of family members or friends? Now you can make informed decisions about health concerns by researching useful information on the Canadian ...
46 Spring, 2001
Removing Barriers Via the Internet The New On-Line Directory for Accessibility: Ontario March of Dimes is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new web-based resource in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. The On-Line ...
46 Spring, 2001
Setting Standards that Foster Equality Public Broadcaster Ordered to Caption Programming: By Michelle Falardeau-Ramsay

Like many Canadians, Vancouver’s Henry Vlug enjoys watching television. And, like more than half a million fellow Canadians, Henry Vlug has a hearing disability -- he is deaf. So his full enjoyment ...
46 Spring, 2001
Charities Reap the Benefits Charity.ca Proves an Effective Tool for Increasing Donor Base: Are you a donor looking for an easy way to find, research and donate online to Canadian registered charities? Are you a charity looking to increase your donor base as well as provide your existing ...
46 Spring, 2001
EnableLInk New and Improved: After months of extensive redesign, we’re excited to introduce our brand new look, expanded content and new approach to EnableLink. The redesigned EnableLink allows users to access a rich online ...
46 Spring, 2001
National Broadcast Reading Service Inc.: The National Broadcast Reading Services Inc. (NBRS) has announced a significant expansion of its national broadcast reading service for people with vision disabilities. Voiceprint, which ...
46 Spring, 2001
Assistive Technology Initiative in British Columbia: Three B.C. community foundations have joined together to create an Internet-supported "action community" on assistive technology (AT). With financial assistance from the Vancouver and ...
45 Winter, 2000
EnableLink Community Information Access Project: Calling community volunteers! A new EnableLink project will provide detailed accessibility information on individual cities and towns, assisting people with disabilities in their travel plans -- or ...
45 Winter, 2000
Masonry, and Information Access Equality Our Recommendations for Federal Policy: By Mel Graham

For those battling the information deficit faced by people who cannot use print, it almost seems as though good news is becoming the order of the day. Big corporate software manufacturers, such ...
45 Winter, 2000
Where Charity Begins Online Connecting Canadians to Causes: Charities seeking to expand their donor base need look no further for fundraising solutions. Recognizing the Internet as a successful communication tool, philanthropist and businessman Richard ...
45 Winter, 2000
Do You Believe in Magic? Connecting Children to a Community of Friendship: Imagine a magic electronic window, through which children and youth with disabilities or illness come to share stories, friendships and experiences. To be inspired to rise above their limitations. To ...
45 Winter, 2000
Improved Access for Injured Workers: A new link to Injured Workersâ€™ Resources makes it even easier for users of the EnableLink website to find information on events, articles, organizations, support groups and chats that are ...
44 Fall, 2000
AccessAbility by Design: By Susan Saundercook

What if you can’t use your hands to dial a telephone? Or paint your nails? What products exist to solve these problems? Ontario March of Dimes is showcasing practical and useful items that are ...
44 Fall, 2000
Canada Gazette A Channel to Electronic Democracy: Since 1841, the "Canada Gazette" has encouraged a democratic dialogue with Canadians. It has informed them of proposed and enacted regulations and Acts of Parliament, and, equally ...
44 Fall, 2000
Find a Friend, Be a Friend Computer Friendship Network Helps People Connect: There is a special place where a modem and a computer give wings to a child or youth who is ill or has special needs. A place where people think with their hearts and listen with their eyes. A ...
44 Fall, 2000
WORKink A Tool for Job Seekers with Disabilities: By Miguel Aguayo

Your friend just handed you an advertisement for a job. The responsibilities for the position look attractive, and you can live with the salary. Your excitement builds as many of the listed ...
43 Summer, 2000
Equal Access to Books and Magazines One Step Closer to Reality: By Neil Graham

Letâ€™s face it -- if youâ€™re blind or have a motor or learning disability that precludes your reading whatâ€™s generally referred to as conventional-sized print, your access to books ...
43 Summer, 2000
Take a Look The New and Improved CCRW Website: By Joan Westland

The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work is proud to present our new and improved website. Come and visit us on the web at www.ccrw.org and explore our many features. We also invite your ...
43 Summer, 2000
Being in Control -- Freedom from Abuse CAILC Introduces Website Development Initiative: The Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC) is pleased to announce a project that will provide much-needed information and resources to women with disabilities who may be ...
43 Summer, 2000
The Electronic Curb Cut Driving Technology by Disability: By Sandra Carpenter

A longtime and well-loved personal and professional associate of mine, Dr. Audrey King, first made the case, "We are all disabled on the moon." All humans have disabilities underwater too, ...
43 Summer, 2000
Celebrating the First Year of EnableLink: To keep the site fresh and dynamic, EnableLink is soon to get a facelift. Read about the upcoming redesign, as well as other projects that will be appearing soon on ...
43 Summer, 2000
Homeward Bound -- A Special Feature on Housing Give Yourself a Lift: By Ken Briggs

An outline of the types of lifts available, how to match lifts to needs, and what to expect during the purchase and ...
43 Summer, 2000
Wine Labels in Braille: By Kate George

A wine producer from France is leading the way in making its products identifiable to people with vision disabilities. M. Chapoutier wines is now using Braille on all of its labels. The company, ...
43 Summer, 2000
Happy Trails Riding a Power Wheelchair into the Sunset: By Omega Baker

Making the switch from a manual to powered wheelchair was a bit intimidating, but this author recounts the experience with humour, and looks forward to jet-setting adventures in her new ...
42 Spring, 2000
Job Postings on the Internet You Can Bank on It!: If you know where to look, the Internet is rich in resources for job seekers. Here, we feature eleven different Internet job banks containing Canadian jobs, and we tell you how you can find and use ...
42 Spring, 2000
Technology Trends Catch the Wave -- At Home and Office… An Interview with Bruce Sinclair: By Andy Shaw

A corporate executive in information and technology, Bruce Sinclair, discusses upcoming employment trends for people with disabilities. Find out how you can catch the ...
42 Spring, 2000
More Visitors, More Participation!: The start of 2000 marked the most participation yet for the EnableLink website at www.enablelink.ca. Hereâ€™s whatâ€™s new at EnableLink, and whatâ€™s coming up this ...
42 Spring, 2000
The Polio Ontario Forum A Cyber Support Group: Canadian polio survivors can find information, support and friends with the new PolioOntario Forum, a cyber support group for people with post-polio symptoms. Need to ask a question? Looking for ...
42 Spring, 2000
Urban CAP Just How Inclusive is It?: By Mel Graham

Recently, the federal governmentâ€™s campaign to "... make the information and knowledge infrastructure accessible to all Canadians by the year 2000, thereby making Canada the most connected ...
42 Spring, 2000
Hero Joy Nightingale Soul Winging Free: By Lisa Bendall

Sheâ€™s only 13, and sheâ€™s already a composer of music and ballets, a poet, an artist, a disability advocate, and editor and founder of an award-winning Internet magazine. Hero Joy ...
42 Spring, 2000
Y2K and Your PC: By Avril Rinn

EnableLink, linking people with disabilities to a world of resources, is yours to use at www.enablelink.ca. But as a consumer of computer technology, it’s up to you to make informed choices about ...
41 Winter, 1999
Itâ€™s Buyer Beware: By Avril Rinn

EnableLink, linking people with disabilities to a world of resources, is yours to use at www.enablelink.ca. But as a consumer of computer technology, itâ€™s up to you to make informed choices ...
41 Winter, 1999
Snow Kids: The Empowerment Zone An Online Playground for Kids with Disabilities: By Nancy Sicchia

What do kids with special needs and the Internet have in common? The answer is SNOW Kids Empowerment Zone. If you havenâ€™t already done so, why donâ€™t you visit us online ...
40 Fall, 1999
The Right Stuff Community-Based Agencies and the Older Entrepreneur with a Disability: By Patrica Brown

Some Canadian, community-based, employment agencies are in the business of helping older people find work; many also work towards finding positions for job seekers with disabilities. The challenges ...
40 Fall, 1999
Itâ€™s Up and Running!: Shawna Kennedy assists in EnableLink’s virtual ribbon cutting ceremony,while Eileen Mercier and Ray Cohen look on. When each person with a disability can connect with every other person with a ...
40 Fall, 1999
The Never-Ending Story: June 4 of this year will witness the official launch of the Canadian Abilities Foundationâ€™s most ambitious project to date - EnableLink! Over five thousand Canadian organizations listed; a ...
39 Summer, 1999
Enablelink - Please Help Yourself: By Raymond D. Cohen

"Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for one day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll be able to feed himself forever." So goes the old parable. Well, that’s kind of how we at the Canadian ...
39 Summer, 1999
Keying Into Computers Innovations for Accessibility: By David MacDonald

My wake up call came as I lay in bed at 1:00 a.m. with ice packs to ease the pain in my elbows and shoulder where I had had multiple surgeries. Four assignments were due, all of which required ...
39 Summer, 1999
Described Video A Career Opportunity Worth Talking About!: By Terry Costaris

Anyone who has tried just to "listen" to a movie knows that there are missing visual gaps that need to be filled in order to maximize the film experience. National Broadcast Reading ...
39 Summer, 1999
Opportunities 45+ Championing the Cause of the Worker with Disabilities: By Patricia Brown

October 1998 saw the launch of an awareness initiative known as Opportunities 45+, created to help older workers with disabilities find and maintain employment. One Voice, the Canadian Seniors ...
39 Summer, 1999
Worldâ€™s Most Advanced Bionic Arm: Campbell Aird, a 47-year-old hotelier from Dumfriesshire in Scotland, has been fitted with what is claimed to be the world’s most advanced bionic arm. The limb, known as the Edinburgh Modular Arm ...
38 Spring, 1999
Open For Input! http://www.enablelink.org: The Canadian Abilities Foundation reaches out to 5,000 organizations for people with disabilities and asks the question: What do you think? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Come visit EnableLink - and ...
38 Spring, 1999
Hear, Hear! An Overview of Hearing Assistance Technology: By David Baquis

Although people with hearing loss comprise the largest disability group, their needs are poorly understood and often not addressed, even within the disability community. There are many ways of ...
38 Spring, 1999
Internet Opportunities Hereâ€™s a Website That Will Put You to Work!: By Patricia Brown

If youâ€™ve spent any time on the Internet recently, youâ€™ll know that websites proliferate, covering as many interests as there are individuals. Some are sober and sophisticated in content, ...
38 Spring, 1999
Older Workers with Disabilities Opportunities 45+: In July, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Network, launched a national project to help workers aged 45 and over with disabilities find meaningful work. ...
37 Winter, 1998
The HRDC Website Information You Need -- When You Need It: The Internet is quickly changing the way we communicate with others and the way we seek information. Its impact on our society probably outweighs that of the Industrial Revolution. However, have you ...
37 Winter, 1998
Assistive Technology Theme for Annual General Meeting: By Robb Nickel

Assistive technology and its implications for people with disabilities was the topic presented to the assembled at the third Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies, ...
37 Winter, 1998
Parenting Pointers Hints for Transporting Your Child: By Elaine Carty, Tali Conine, Leah Dobell, Angela Holbrook, Chris Seminuck

For parents with disabilities, transporting or carrying your child safely and easily can sometimes be an issue. But often just one or two adaptations can make a tremendous difference. Here are a ...
37 Winter, 1998
Countdown to the Launch: Welcome to the Winter 1998 segment of our ongoing update about EnableLink, the new online resource being developed by the Canadian Abilities Foundation (CAF) to serve Canada’s expanding population of ...
37 Winter, 1998
Advocating for Access Securing Our Rights by Speaking Up: By Marie Laporte-Stark

Humans are creatures of habit. It is difficult, and quite often frustrating, to bring about change. And when services are finally made more accessible to consumers, organizations often take the ...
37 Winter, 1998
Virtual Reality for Visual Disability: The Teletouch system is a new type of software developed in the United Kingdom that translates computer words and graphics into tactile textures and shapes. Adapted by British Telecom, this novel ...
37 Winter, 1998
Technology at Work Assistive Technology Removes Workplace Barriers: By Mary J. Dufton

Today, a wide range of products and special training are removing employment barriers for those of us with disabilities. Whether the disability is visual, hearing, cognitive or speech or mobility ...
36 Fall, 1998
What is it?: In the most recent issue of ABILITIES magazine, we introduced you to EnableLink, a new online resource being developed by the Canadian Abilities Foundation (CAF) to serve Canada’s expanding ...
36 Fall, 1998
Caption Complications An Inside Look at Closed Captioning: By Mordecai Drache

I’ve almost finished captioning "foodessence," a popular television show on the history of food. The show is produced by Charles Bishop Productions in association with Life Network, the ...
36 Fall, 1998
The HRDC Website Information you need -- when you need it: The Internet is quickly changing the way we communicate with others and the way we seek information. Its impact on our society probably outweighs that of the Industrial Revolution. However, have you ...
36 Fall, 1998
Website Wizardry An Access Nightmare: By Mathew Growden

A successful website is a whole lot of work! The easy (and I use the term "easy" lightly) part is getting your site live. Sure, you might run into a few technical glitches when you ...
36 Fall, 1998
They Came from Outer Space Space Spinoffs that Enable: By Sue Lorraine Lavorata

Many of us don’t realize the number of technologies developed by the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that have substantially improved the lives of people with ...
35 Summer, 1998
News on the Net An Updated Website and New Guide to the Internet: Surfing the net? The Roeher Institute invites you to have a look at our newly designed website at http://indie.ca/roeher. Our new look in cyberspace includes a listing and description of Roeher ...
34 Spring, 1998
Get Connected Business Communication through Interactive Online Tools: By Keltie Creed

Many people use the Internet only passively. But interactive online features are very effective tools for business communication, including job search. Making use of electronic message boards, ...
34 Spring, 1998
Exploiting Technology for Access and Integration The SNOW Project Aids Inclusion: By Laurie Harrison

Take a peek into a classroom today, and you will see that a lot has changed in the past 10 years. For one thing, the educational tools around the room are likely to include computer hardware, ...
34 Spring, 1998
Design Intervention Tetra Oakville is Open for Business: By Pat Atkinson

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a thingamajig? Or have you always wanted a whatchamacallit? If you’ve been hunting for a special product or device that would make your life easier or add to your ...
34 Spring, 1998
The Skyâ€™s the Limit at Access â€™98: The Independent Living Centre of Waterloo will host Access ’98 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex in Kitchener, Ontario, on April 17 and 18. This will be the fifth such exhibition of ...
34 Spring, 1998
Can We Talk? Trying Out Technology for Talking: By Anne Abbott

I was born with cerebral palsy 39 years ago. Iâ€™m unable to walk, and neither can I feed, toilet, nor dress myself. But the most difficult aspect of my disability is my inability to speak. My ...
34 Spring, 1998
Cane Quandaries ...Not Exactly Putting on a Top Hat!: By Linda Ironside

Having a disability is not much of a problem on my scooter. In fact, it can be fun passing able-bodied "walkers" on the sidewalk with a friendly little beep... although sometimes, I must ...
33 Winter, 1997
Looking for Work? Here Are Some Letters of Introduction... www.worksearch.gc.ca: Looking for work takes energy, perseverance and current information from a reliable source. WorkSearch is just that source. WorkSearch -- a new, easy-to-use Internet site designed to guide ...
33 Winter, 1997
Linking People to Jobs Employment Projects Use the Latest in Internet Technology: By Matthew Growden

It s a Thursday afternoon. Twenty to thirty people have logged onto the chat forum at the Gateway to Diversity, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation’s website, to discuss how ...
33 Winter, 1997
Virtual Education Earning Credits by Computer: By Louise Dearden

I recently completed an adult education course at my local university. Nothing unusual in that, except I never met my instructor or fellow students. In fact, although I went to class nearly every ...
32 Fall, 1997
Job Hunting On the â€™Net Where to Surf in Your Employment Search: By Veronica Leonard

"There ainâ€™t no jobs out there anymore for white, able-bodied men in their 30s. You gotta be disabled or a visible minority to get a job these days." Itâ€™s 4:15 p.m. on a ...
32 Fall, 1997
From Leg to Scooter Power: By Nancy Chamberlayne

A pair of strong, agile legs has propelled me along mountain slopes, forest valleys and rocky beaches. My husband and I have hiked and backpacked through incredibly beautiful areas of British ...
32 Fall, 1997
Plugged in to Travel! Taking Your Technology On Your Trips: By Audrey King

Whether youâ€™re a child who uses a ventilator, a teen with communication aids and a power wheelchair, or an adult with other assistive technologies, travelling is possible! Whether your daily ...
31 Summer, 1997
Access to Independence in Atlantic Canada: Nova Scotia has the highest percentage per capita -- 21 per cent -- of people with disabilities in Canada. This means one of every five Nova Scotians has some form of disability. Access to ...
31 Summer, 1997
Computerizing Kids Helping Children Access Computers For Learning and Play: By Irene Vrckovnik

Children are the fastest growing group of computer users. As children with and without disabilities are integrated in the classroom, some modifications may be necessary to enhance computer use among ...
31 Summer, 1997
CIBC Investigates Hearing Accessibility New Technology Enhances Communication: It is estimated that 10 per cent of the population, or 2.7 million Canadians, have hearing loss significant enough to affect communication. And, as the over-55 age group is growing at twice the rate ...
31 Summer, 1997
Accessing Cyberspace Removing Barriers from the â€™Net: By Michelle J. Schoffro

Internet mania seems to have hit many Canadians. Currently, there are more than 700 books on the topic, and the Internet section of many magazine stores is overloaded with old and new periodicals ...
30 Spring, 1997
Opening the Gateway to Diversity An equal opportunity website rich in resources for employers, employees and job seekers.: As of November 19, new Ontario Equal Opportunity services are available, thanks to a partnership initiative with employers and employees, facilitated by the Government of Ontario Ministry of ...
29 Winter, 1996
Flying with Power: By Ian Parker

Itâ€™s not that hard to take your power wheelchair when you fly. Why get stuck with your manual chair for air travel? First, rent a gel battery and charger from your wheelchair repair centre. ...
29 Winter, 1996
Dear Me! How do you deal with people who assume that a scooter lowers your IQ?: By Linda Ironside

"Are youâ€™re sure youâ€™re in the right bank?" was the first thing the teller said to me. It was the first question she asked, before my name or account number. I was neatly, ...
29 Winter, 1996
Profile on Indie A Website in Progress: By Don Barrie

In June, a number of organizations, including the Canadian Abilities Foundation, officially launched Indie -- the Integrated Network of Disability Information and Education. Indie is Canadaâ€™s ...
28 Fall, 1996
Maryâ€™s Wheelchair Maryâ€™s independence was at risk until we put our heads together and came up with an experiment: By Helen Brunton

Many years ago, I had a friend, Mary, who was paraplegic and living alone in a one-storey home. She had a hand-driven car. She was stout and muscular, and could swing herself into and off of her ...
28 Fall, 1996
Return, Re-Use and Recycle Announcing a New Equipment Rental Service at OMOD: By Mary Brown

Joyce Boone was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1978 and continued in her employment as a banker for the next 13 years. But by 1992, her strength had diminished. For the next three years, Joyce ...
28 Fall, 1996
Hints and Devices for Parents Who are Deaf: There is a real lack of visual resource materials which are closed captioned, and there are few childbirth and parenting courses available with interpreters or real-time conversion. Therefore, ...
27 Summer, 1996
CAILC Surfs the â€™Net!: By Paul Hamilton

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTRES CAILC SURFS THE ’NET! BY PAUL HAMILTON We’ll be surfing! We’ll be surfing Waikiki, Waikiki. Heck, we’ll be surfing from Helsinki to ...
26 Spring, 1996
People in Motion People Keep Coming Back!: If you or someone close to you has a disability, then you are already familiar with the hunger for information that is constantly within. You want to know everything you can about the disability ...
26 Spring, 1996
Indie The Accessible On-Ramp to the Information Super Highway: By Raymond D. Cohen

INDIE. For many people, this word immediately brings to mind the premier auto racing event on this planet. For others, visions of young, hip music groups independently producing their own rock videos ...
26 Spring, 1996
"Iâ€™m Bored!" Technology offers many creative ways for your child to interact and be active. One girl tells her: By Jessica Javor

My name is Jessica Javor. I’m a grade six student with cerebral palsy. I have a Mac IISI and programmable keyboard with which I can type out words and even entire sentences with a push of a button! ...
26 Spring, 1996
Using Computers to Improve Cognitive Skills: At Lions Gate Hospital, in B.C., with the assistance of Simon Fraser University, a team has developed a treatment program using computers to improve cognitive skills in adults with traumatic brain ...
26 Spring, 1996
Cailc Surfs the â€™Net!: By Paul Hamilton

Weâ€™ll be surfing! Weâ€™ll be surfing Waikiki, Waikiki. Heck, weâ€™ll be surfing from Helsinki to Halifax! Surf, in verb or noun form, is a term traditionally associated with fun in ...
26 Spring, 1996
The Impact of Technology on My Life I Can Write, Create, Talk and Fall in Love: By Anne Abbott

My name is Anne Abbott, and 37 years ago I was born with athetoid cerebral palsy. Having cerebral palsy has affected me in several different ways. For instance, except for being able to say a few ...
25 Winter, 1995
My Word!: By Raymond D. Cohen

Welcome to the Winter edition of ABILITIES. With every issue, we seem to pass another milestone, or realize another goal we have set for ourselves. Last issue marked our inaugural presence on the ...
25 Winter, 1995
Get on Line with S.I.D.D. Service Information Database for People with Disabilities: Have you ever had a somewhat challenging -- if not downright frustrating -- experience trying to track down disability services? The Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (OFCP) in Toronto has ...
25 Winter, 1995
Anythingâ€™s Possible! Volunteers at Tetra Society have been inventing incredible solutions.: By Lynne Swanson

Sam Sullivan is often mistaken for a paraplegic. "My goal is to be a paraplegic when I grow up, but right now, I’m a quadriplegic." Injured in a skiing accident, Sullivan spent seven ...
25 Winter, 1995
The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Workâ€™s Innovative Employment Link: A new computer network will allow people with disabilities to market their skills to potential employers "Build it and they will come" -- this is a statement that one hears from many ...
25 Winter, 1995
Quad Speed!: No, I am not referring to the speed at which people who are quadriplegic manoeuvre in some Star Trek-ian manner. I am referring to the speed at which CD-ROMs operate these days. Most of the newer ...
24 Fall, 1995
â€™Net Worth Get Involved with UserNet and Help Make Products More Accessible.: By Geb Verbug, Steve McPherson

Have you ever tried to use something that wasnâ€™t designed for people with special needs? Did you ever think you could design it better than the manufacturer -- if only theyâ€™d ask for your ...
24 Fall, 1995
Kids and Keystrokes Technology "levels the playground" for children with disabilities: By Lisa Bendall

Twenty years ago there was a little boy with cerebral palsy growing up in Ireland. His disability prevented him from using his arms and legs or speaking. He could communicate only with his mother, to ...
24 Fall, 1995
Adaptive Technology Resource Centre Leading the Way to Accessible Technologies: New developments in technology are coming fast and furious, enabling us to accomplish amazing tasks. For consumers with disabilities, however, one great concern regarding new technologies is often ...
24 Fall, 1995
The Information Highway: Surfing the ’net: For some, it’s a recreational activity. For others, it’s a way to monitor the impact of community trends on persons with disabilities. Jim Derksen, a CCD council member, has ...
23 Summer, 1995
Personal Conferencing Itâ€™s Time to Share: What is personal conferencing and what does it mean to you? The industry defines it as "working together, across any distance, using the personal computer to share information simultaneously ...
23 Summer, 1995
Kateâ€™s Story On Interactive Photo CD: "Kate Sawford stands outside the operating room, poised to take her last walk on two legs. A blue hospital gown hangs from her thin body. Her bald head shines in the fluorescent light. In a few ...
23 Summer, 1995
Have a Vision The Visionics Low Vision Enhancement System: The Visionics Low Vision Enhancement System (LVES) was developed to assist people with chronic vision disabilities that canâ€™t be corrected by glasses, medication or surgery. It was invented at ...
23 Summer, 1995
Like Son, Like Mother? Becoming a Biker Changed My Life!: By Margot Saint-Arnaud

At 54, I discovered the joy of biking under very special circumstances. After coping with recurring neuro-muscular problems and the resulting inability to walk normally, I was very happy to resort to ...
20 Fall, 1994
Hurrah Saraw Talking Computers Teach Literacy to Adults with Physical Disabilities: For many adults with physical disabilities who are unable to hold a pencil or turn pages in a book, access to literacy education has been an unfulfilled dream. And since many of these adults do not ...
20 Fall, 1994
Compass Talk High-Tech Wayfinding: By Christopher Guly

For most of us, travelling to a new city and finding an address can be aggravating and semi-traumatic. Street maps almost always seem to be written for "locals," not visitors. Endless ...
20 Fall, 1994
Just a Puff of Wind: By Larry Boden

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by... If you have ever heard that classic poem by John Masefield, then you ...
20 Fall, 1994
To Those for Whom Access to Information is a Barrier…: CCD’s Access to Information working group has been in operation for a year. Its five members and one staff resource person are all alternate media users. Their principal activity is to work for ...
20 Fall, 1994
A House Whose Time Has Come User-Friendly Housing for the Future: A new "User-Friendly House" in British Columbia embraces the future -- affordably. And the market for this kind of barrier-free, adaptable and automated housing could explode. Some day, ...
20 Fall, 1994
These Wheels are Made for Hiking...and Hunting, and Fishing, and...: By Terry Pender

Brad Parker uses eight wheels instead of two legs. The 28-year-old Noelville-area resident (southeast of Sudbury, Ontario) uses an Argo to get around his property, to go hunting, fishing or ...
18 Spring, 1994
Discover Independent Living National Independent Living Conference: By Traci Walters, Emily Ternette

The Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC) and the Independent Living Resource Centre of Winnipeg (ILRC) are proud to present to you the National Independent Living Conference ...
18 Spring, 1994
Show Your Involvement! Exhibitions of Products, Services and Technology Depend on Consumer Participation and Feedback: By Gillian Lynne-Davies

So often, opportunity knocks at our door and, with it, change arrives to touch our lives. Change can be exciting -- and intimidating. But the truth is that change often leads to personal growth and, ...
17 Winter, 1993
Talking Pictures Family Channel Brings Home Descriptive Video: By Lisa Bendall

This fall, Family Channel, Canadaâ€™s Family Network, announced the premiere of regular narrated television programming in Canada. On November 10 at 9 p.m., Family Channel broadcasted a ...
17 Winter, 1993
Video Focuses On Workers with Hearing Disabilities: By Jim Steen

What do you do when you want to improve your efforts to inform Canadians who are deaf and hard of hearing about your programs and services? The federal governmentâ€™s Employment Equity Branch ...
17 Winter, 1993
First Off... I Would Like to Offer a Personal Thank You...: By Raymond D. Cohen

First off, I would like to offer a personal thank you to Professor Stephen Hawking for his participation in Lisa Bendall’s article "To Boldly Go..." (p.5). Professor Hawking has become ...
16 Fall, 1993
Ability Online Linking People to Each Other: By Gary Sandler

Imagine you are a 12-year-old boy named Chris. Your parents have been taking you back and forth to the hospital a lot lately because you have been quite sick. Today, a doctor tells you and your ...
16 Fall, 1993
Back to Work: By Len Rosen

Lyndon Scholey is like a lot of business workers today. He works from home. But Lyndon is also not like most business workers. Lyndon is paralyzed from the chest down and works while sitting in a ...
16 Fall, 1993
Extending Mobility: By Don Hovis

The ability to stay active and in control of oneâ€™s life is critical to a personâ€™s sense of worth and happiness in todayâ€™s society. For a variety of reasons -- heart disease, ...
14 Spring, 1993
Making the Computer Accessible to You: By Dianna Lee

Making computer technology accessible is an integral practice in many environments, as a result of legislative changes and increased public awareness. There are many options today for individuals ...
14 Spring, 1993
Rights, Justice, Power Rights-Based Technology: By Marcia Rioux

Starting with a view of the world that assumes that all people are equally valuable and equally entitled to rights, justice and power has an important effect on the way an issue is addressed. The ...
13 Fall/Winter, 1992
Appropriate Technology: By Don Hovis

We live in a fast-paced, high-tech world. We have many choices of products to fill our daily needs and desires. The healthcare/rehab industry is no exception. Over the past ten years, great ...
13 Fall/Winter, 1992
Making Life Easier for Seniors with Disabilities: For the third time that morning, Mary Greene tried to reach the new box of salt from the top shelf. For the third time that morning, the stiffness in her shoulder and the weakness in her fingers ...
13 Fall/Winter, 1992
Finding My Place: By Wendy Harris

Bonnie Klein has had some powerful stories to tell. A decade ago, in her film Not A Love Story, she compelled us to look at pornography in a new way - not as harmless male entertainment but as an ...
13 Fall/Winter, 1992
Rehabex ’91 Expanded Program to Draw Record Crowd: From pediatric and geriatric care to employment equity and job counseling for individuals with disabilities, an expanded program promises to draw a record crowd to REHABEX’91, Canada’s largest ...
9 Fall, 1991
Independence 92 "This Event is Destined for Greatness...": The roots of Independence ’92 go back to the summer of 1989, when Mike Horsey, the president of the B.C. Pavilion Corporation (BCPC) and Phil Heard, vice-president of New Business Development for the ...
9 Fall, 1991
Get In Gear for People In Motion: By Tracy Fawcett-Bell

Where can you find a wheelchair accessible motorcycle, the latest in vehicle conversion technology, a fishing rod that retrieves itself and a line on a new job all under one roof? People in Motion ...
4 Spring/Summer, 1990
Get Your ACT Together: By Susan D. Wheeler

In terms of employment the only thing more important than ability is opportunity. Without opportunities, abilities cannot be acquired nor exercised. A.C.T., (Alternative Computer Training for the ...
4 Spring/Summer, 1990
This is the Man Who Lives in the House that Larry Built!: By David B. Shuster

Embodied in the home created by Larry Boden, computers responding to human voice, open doors and identify visitors. Designs of robotic arms seemingly rotate in three dimensions surrounded by the ...
4 Spring/Summer, 1990