Charlestown's new all inclusive playground where children with disabilities and without can play side by side

A new all-inclusive carousel that will be featured at Charlestown's playground (Photo Credit: Boston Globe)A new kind of playground is being built in Charlestown next to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. This playground, modeled with an “inclusive design,” will be accessible to children of all ages with a disability or without. According to Kristen McCosh, Boston’s commissioner for persons with disabilities, this design will “incorporate the accessible components into a typical playground so that a family could play together.” Plans for the playground include integrated swings and carousels.

In a recent statement, Boston Mayor Tom Menino boasted of the benefits of the new playground. As he concluded, “it gives all of our people, not just some of our people, the access they deserve to this very special area and a play space that every young child can enjoy.”

To read more, check out the below article on the Boston Globe

Laura Crimaldi, “ Charlestown playground to be all inclusive: Waterfront site will house a $1.6m playground where children of all abilities can romp side by side.”

"Employment After Spinal Cord Injury," by Kurt Johnson and Jim Krause

If you’re looking to get back to work after sustaining a spinal cord injury, Kurt Johnson and Jim Krause have a few helpful tips. In their article, “Employment after Spinal Cord Injury,” they review everything from the benefits of the Americans with Disabilities Act to getting the proper accommodations at work.

Click the link above to check out their article on the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center website or click here to view the PDF version.  

The Accessible Icon Project's New Way to Re-make a Traditional Symbol

It’s about time the traditional handicapped sign gets a make-over. According to Sara Hendren, co-founder of the Accessible Icon Project, their new design conveys a “clear sense of navigation through the world.”

It all began three years ago when Sara teamed up with Brian Glenney, an assistant professor at Gordon College and “somewhat of a graffiti artist on the side.” They went around Boston and put up stickers with their symbol throughout the city. Not long after, they spoke with Victor Calise, New York City’s commissioner for people with disabilities, who immediately got on board with the cause. This past summer, all of the old symbols in NYC were replaced with the new ones.

While they have made some solid progress so far, Sara and Brian continue to advocate hard for their symbol, which they hope can be “an opportunity to open the conversation and change people’s perceptions.” As Sara mentions, “An icon, an image, a symbol, can be a really powerful kind of seed for much larger efforts.”

For more, check out the below links:

The Accessible Icon Project Website

NPR: “New Handicapped Sign Rolls into New York City”

Boston.com: “Iconic symbol gets a strong push forward”

Courtesy of the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock: The Best Music Video for Katy Perry's "Roar" You'll See All Day

Recently, the patients and staff of the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hichcock got together to say thank you to all the participants of the annual CHaD HERO Half Marathon & Ripcord 5K. How did they decide to say thanks? With a little help from Katy Perry's song "Roar," they decided to put their dancing skills to use in a video-thank you card. Check out their great work below!

Tim Swenson's Off-Road Wheelchair

Inspired by his son who was paralyzed in a car accident, Tim Swenson created the Action Trackchair. What is an Action Trackchair? Well, essentially, it’s an all terrain “mini-tank” that lets it’s users regain a sense of independence in the outdoors.

Check out the below video of Cpl. Michael Boucher enjoying the outdoors in his Action Trackchair and click the link to read more…

Natalie Angley, CNN: “All-terrain wheelchair helps disabled get back on track.”