Written on Kevin’s 21st birthday. By Debra Muzikar Dear Younger Me, It’s 1997. As you sit in the neurologist’s office watching 3-year old Kevin lining up toy trains, the doctor will inform you Kevin’s not interacting like “normal” children. You will hear the “A” word and you will feel sad. You wil…

There are lots of TV shows that revolve around friendships between two people. These shows typically show the great camaraderie between two friends - intimacy, confessions,  cheap humor, love talks, crass talks - you name it, these shows successfully show it. However, have we ever seen a show i…

It is estimated that in excess of one billion people, roughly 15% of the global population, have some form of disability. Of the one billion, between 110 and 190 million people have difficulty in functioning. This of course can have implications for employment, but it is clear that more needs to be …

The one lesson we can learn from this story is to never be afraid to express what we need or desire because most likely, there is someone out there that will make it happen.Nike's new shoe, FLYEASE, is designed with accessibility in mind, thanks to Matthew Walzer, who asked Nike to design shoes that…

A new database provides genetic and behavioral information about children with autism who have been admitted to hospital psychiatric units. The database, described 10 November in Molecular Autism, gives researchers an unprecedented glimpse of the most severe cases of autism1. Many children with seve…

To my 25-year old self on the day I receive my diagnosis, I know you have a lot emotions going through your head right now. 1) Relieved- because you finally find out why you struggled in clinical internship. 2) Depressed- because you realize you actually have a disability AND you have a strike aga…

A few universities in the midwest have started offering degrees to students with intellectual disabilities with focus on providing skills that encourage independent living, prepare students for employment and instill lifelong learning. Traditionally,  these students have not been able to meet a…

VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android have definitely made it possible for blind users to use smartphones on a daily basis. As the user navigates around on the interface, the phone talks back to the user, letting them know the apps they have access to, and also helps them with menu options and ac…

In the last few years, Minecraft has taken the world by storm.  We all perhaps know that it is a video game, but we don't know much beyond that. Almost all kids, on the other hand, not only know what it is (a video game!), but also know how to maneuver that game very well, and pick up all sorts…

The largest study of people with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to date adds to mounting evidence that the two conditions share genetic roots1. Compared with their typical peers, people with autism are twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of OCD and people with OCD are four times a…

Dear Younger Me, Are you lost and overwhelmed with all of the medical mumbo-jumbo, and exceptionally long diagnosis essentially saying, “Your child has autism.” I know that you are feeling numb—paralyzed with uncertainty, fear, and grief about the unknown. But I’m here to tell you that your life wou…

Books are an integral part of our lives! Doesn't matter if we are voracious or occasional readers - we always appreciate the entertainment and knowledge books impart. However, in case of blind people or sighted people losing their partial or full vision, physical books can seldom be an option. That'…

I recently got a chance to talk with Francis Feoko, a C5 quadriplegic, who is a sophomore in the Bay Area in California. Francis wanted to share with Assistive Technology Blog's readers how, being a college student, he takes care of his home and school work and how technology has made him more confi…

Transportation is one of the main obstacles that those with disabilities face. Though public transport tries to be accommodating, there are still several obstacles that the disabled have to navigate in order to get to a specific location -- walking from train or bus stops, shelling out money for cab…