dclcd

“LIVING IN STYLE”  TV SEGMENT Featuring: WHEELCHAIRSABOUND.COM

                                        Watch Show

The FHAA prohibits a wide array of activities that discriminate against persons with disabilities and families with children in the sale or rental of housing. The following specifically outlines illegal actions:                      

• Refusal to sell or rent a dwelling unit when a bona fide offer has been made, where the refusal is based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
• Imposing different terms and conditions or treating people differently with the provision of service because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
• Discouraging an individual from living in a community or neighborhood, if the restriction is based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. This activity is frequently referred to as “steering.”
• Advertising, posting notices or making statements in such a way as to deny access to an individual if that denial is based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
• Misrepresenting the availability of a dwelling because of the applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
• Blockbusting by encouraging the sale or rental of a dwelling by implying that people of a certain race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or origin are entering the community in large numbers.

In these times of high gas prices, many are opting to use motorcycles as their primary mode of transportation. Unfortunately motorcycles offer very little protection to the rider. Therefore, motorcycle accidents, especially at high rates of speed, can easily cause spinal cord injury, leading to paralysis, nursing care and a lifetime of wheelchair use and other assistive devices. In addition to this, motorcycle fatalities have been steadily increasing.

Almost half of the fatal motorcycle accidents show alcohol involvement. One out of four motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes had an invalid license. Helmets saved approximately 1,158 lives in 2003; another 640 lives could have been saved if helmets were worn. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation motorcycle accident statistics, a motorcyclist is 16 times more likely to die in an accident than a motor vehicle occupant. Motorcyclists are also three times more likely to be injured than people in cars.

Wearing a helmet properly is mandatory under many state laws. These laws are subject to change, so it is a good idea to check with each state in which you intend to ride. State laws will apply to travelers as well as state residents. Don’t leave home without the information you need. Better yet, don’t leave home without wearing your helmet.

Some causes of Motorcycle Accidents 

• Lack of basic driving skills
• Failure to appreciate the inherent  operating characteristics
• Failure to appreciate the limitations of the motorcycle
• Failure to use special precautions while riding
• Failure to use defensive driving techniques
• Lack of specific braking and cornering skills
• Failure to follow speed limit
• Ways to Protect Yourself
• Never ride without a certified motorcycle helmet and eye protection
• Read your owner’s manual thoroughly
• Attend motorcycle rider educational classes
• Wear the proper shoes, gloves, and clothing
• Purchase a bike you can handle safely
• Consider the primary use of your bike
• Don’t buy a “trail” bike for highway use
• Similarly, don’t buy a “highway” bike if most of your riding will be off road
• Follow the “rules of the road” and drive defensively.

United Spinal Association has some important tips to handle situations before and during a fire, and to address fire prevention within private homes. It is important to recognize that all people living with mobility impairments do not have the same type of home. Therefore, the following tips should be used only as a model to be modified and adjusted to fit each individual’s private residence.

 What to do Before a Fire Occurs . . .

• Identify and determine the nearest emergency exit or exits within your home. It is important to always know the safest and quickest exit from any location you are in and it should always be based on your physical capabilities. If it is at all possible, try to live, or have your sleeping area, close to an accessible exit. Then, in the event of an emergency, you will have the quickest escape route. You might require some accommodations to facilitate an emergency exit such as a ramp or removal of barriers.                               
• Make the adjustments necessary to ensure a safe escape route. In addition, be sure that you can also open all locks on windows and doors throughout your house.                                                                                                                                
• Install heat or smoke detectors throughout your home. Key locations for smoke alarms are: the kitchen, basement, storage areas, trash areas, accessible attics, sleeping areas, and hallways. Please note that there are various types of smoke alarms. .

Think before you speak. Always speak directly to the person with a disability, not to his companion, aide or sign language interpreter. Making small talk with a person who has a disability is great; just talk to her as you would with anyone else. Respect her privacy. If you ask about her disability, she may feel like you are treating her as a disability, not as a human being. (However, many people with disabilities are comfortable with children’s natural curiosity and do not mind if a child asks them questions.)
* Note: We want you to think of people who have a disability as individuals—your friends, your co-workers, your neighbors—so rather than use the amorphous group term “they” for people with disabilities, we use the pronouns “he” or “she” .
Don’t make assumptions.

People with disabilities are the best judge of what they can or cannot do. Don’t make decisions for them about participating in any activity. Depending on the situation, it could be a violation of the ADA to exclude people because of a presumption about their limitations.

With the growing number of handicap reserved spaces per parking lot, you might find it tempting to park in one. It may be easy to rationalize, “Well, there are plenty of handicapped spots. They won’t miss this one.” Avoid parking in a space reserved for people with disabilities UNLESS you have a permit, placard or handicapped parking plates. It’s the courteous thing to do—and it’s the law.
                                                                                                                                           REMEMBER: Do not park in the striped access aisles next to spaces reserved for people with disabilities, even if you have a permit or plates.
Access aisles provide room for wheelchair users to transfer safely t0 and from their vehicles.

“Introducing the Little Deuce Coupe. . .  
Forty years after its inception, the Amigo is cooler than ever!  We’re talking about the Little Deuce Scoot (LDS); an Amigo-powered “hot rod” mobility power operated vehicle/scooter. Designed by two baby boomers, Tom Khur and Joe Gaydos both from Michigan, the idea behind the LDS was to move to assistive mobility when the time came, but to do so in outrageous style while having fun.
 
Both Tom and Joe, with backgrounds in mechanics and building hot rods, brainstormed this mobility aid as a “cool ride” for the aging population. With elements of a true hot rod, the base of the LDS is a new Amigo MC power operated vehicle. Tom is quick to point out that the LDS can be totally customized and personalized, making it more fun for its owner.  A customized LDS will be in the price range of $3,200 to $5,000.

Its specifications include:
· Custom hand-laid fiberglass 1932 roadster body
· Body colors: satin black, yellow, red, baby blue (custom paint requests can be worked out such as flame at right)
· Aluminum diamond-plate floor
· Color accented seat cushions
· Hot rod custom steering wheel
· Hand controls adapted to steering wheel
· Different shift knobs can be used (dice, eight-ball, rat fink) 

George has been driving the prototype POV/scooter and has experienced positive reactions from those around him. He even introduced it to Amigo associates with the familiar lyrics of the Beach Boys playing in the background.

“People don’t look at me like I’m an old guy who can’t walk,” George said. “They give me thumbs-up when I scoot around places.”

If you would like to find out more information on the Little Deuce Scoot or wish to place an advance order, you can contact: coolscooter@littlehotrodshop.com. Or, feel free to call Tom – (313) 563-3455 or Joe (734) 218-3140.

Visit www.littlehotrodshop.com for an introduction to the ride of your life!

Aging and mobility issues are inevitable. Now you are able to add an element of fun and stay “cool” with the Little Deuce Scoot. You won’t know what it’s like. . . until you try it.

Written by: Fran Hetzner

• Cane or walking stick: The key here is getting the cane fitted to the right height. Measurements are crucial to having the best fit possible. Ideally, when you hang your arm by your side, your hand should hang just over the top of the cane, your wrist lining up with the very top of the cane. An adjustable cane is easiest for ensuring the correct height, but if you are a long-time user, you may choose a custom cane, cut to your specific height, or even a walking stick to add a little style.
When you grasp the top of the cane, your elbow should bend at about
30 degrees. If you are using a cane because of weakness on one side of
your body, place the cane in the hand of your stronger side.

• Crutches: There are basically two types of crutch styles––under the arm
(auxiliary) or cuffed to the forearm (Lofstrand or Canadian crutches). A
proper fit and some instruction on safe use is important. Seek the
assistance of a health care provider when first using crutches. Long-time
crutch users have found the style tip (the rubber tip on the bottom of the
crutch) and the grip style for your hand can add to overall comfort for
long-term use.

• Walkers: Walkers are currently available in many styles––pick-up walkers,
which have no wheels; sliders, which have small skis or tennis balls on
the rear legs; or “rollator” walkers, which employ four wheels. Some
walkers use three wheels, are triangular in shape, and offer somewhat
less support, but are not as bulky; four-wheel walkers are primarily
designed for indoor use. More robust walkers that employ four larger
wheels and a full basket are also available and may even include a fold-
down seat.