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They Made a Revolutionary System to Protect People With Developmental Disabilities. Now It's Falling Apart.

Amy Silverman

December 12, 2020 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Arizona

In Arizona, state officials recruited individuals for volunteer committees to have oversight of the state Division of Developmental Disabilities that was responsible for caring for those with developmental disabilities. Although the program was initially successful and "helped Arizona earn its reputation as one of the best states in the country for the care of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities," in recent years, a series of resignations and increased workload have left some of the panels "barely functioning."

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Richmond art studio helps people with disabilities stay connected

Isabella Bloom

November 20, 2020 |

Richmond Confidential |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development provides classes and studio space for artists with disabilities. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organization now offers six hours of daily virtual services to the 67 artists it serves, including sculpting, drawing, ceramics, and fashion making classes. Social activities, like bingo, cooking, meditation, and movement classes, are also offered online. The programming keeps the artists connected during the isolation of the pandemic and staff regularly text and call the artists who opt out of the virtual programming to maintain that connection.

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2020 was the first-ever presidential election where people cast votes via smartphone

Talib Visram

November 09, 2020 |

FastCompany |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Utah

2020 was the first presidential election where a limited group voted using a smartphone app created by Voatz, expanding access to people with disabilities, those in Covid-19 quarantine, and people out of state due to an emergency. Advocates say it is cost-effective and secure, though many disagree. Voters are biometrically identified and matched to legal records. Ballots are cast on mobile devices and stored on the blockchain until Election Day, when they are printed and counted with other mail-in ballots. Use is expected to increase in the future and pilots are planned in Brazil and other locations.

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For those with disabilities, shift to remote work has opened doors

Jingnan Peng Laura Kiesel

October 27, 2020 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many businesses moving their operations to remote-based work, which has consequently expanded access and eliminated barriers for those with disabilities. Although working from home isn't a silver bullet to solving workplace barriers for people with accessibility needs, it has created an "unprecedented level of accessibility in their employment."

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Bus Stop Shakespeare

Dorota Salus

October 26, 2020 |

Transitions Online |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Poland, Gdansk

A program at the Gdansk Shakespeare Theater in Poland is creating job opportunities for people with Down syndrome after partnering with the city and a local foundation that supports job training and coaching for special-needs individuals. The project has not just benefited the participants – patrons of the company as well as other businesses are realizing "that people with Down syndrome who have the appropriate skills can prove themselves at work."

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The Work Is All Of Us

Kimberly Meyer

October 05, 2020 |

Texas Observer |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

What started as an informal support group in Texas for undocumented workers who had been injured while working, has morphed into a mutual aid organization that helps connect immigrants and those who are uninsured with health necessities and resources. The group is unique in the U.S., as it advocates for both disability rights and immigrant rights, while also providing support for disaster relief efforts.

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2020 Changes Help Disabled, Blind Voters

Nick Isenberg

September 29, 2020 |

KDNK Community Radio |

Podcast |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Colorado

A Colorado system allows voters with disabilities to request an accessible ballot, which enables them to fill out their ballot online using a personal computer or a smart phone. This allows voters to maintain confidentiality in their voting selections rather than needing to have someone assist them in filling out their ballot. Voters can fill out their ballots online, using assistive technologies if necessary, and then print their ballot to either mail to their county clerk or drop off at an official ballot drop box in their county.

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Making A Milwaukee Beach Accessible

Jana Schleis

August 12, 2020 |

Wisconsin Public Radio |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

An organization in Wisconsin is making public spaces accessible to people with disabilities. Their work has resulted in one of the most accessible beaches in the nation. Bradford Beach in Milwaukee now has a permanent ramp all the way to the waterfront, making it more inclusive of those who couldn't previously enjoy being by the water.

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‘It's your baby, and it's, like, wow': 3-D images from ultrasounds allow blind parents to feel their infant's face

Debra Bruno

August 09, 2020 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

3D ultrasound print outs help doctors perform non-invasive surgery in utero and provide blind parents with images during pregnancy. Doctors at Johns Hopkins hospital first used 3D models to improve surgery for spina bifida in utero. By placing one inside a soccer ball doctors can practice ahead of time for a less invasive procedure. A sonographer at the hospital expanded the approach to create 3D ultrasound models for patients who are blind. Some caution that ultrasounds are just diagnostic tools, but providing a picture of their ultrasound to someone who cannot see it in the traditional sense is powerful.

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How Hawaii's New Voting System Could Help Disabled Voters

Blaze Lovell

August 03, 2020 |

Honolulu Civil Beat |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Hawaii

Voters with disabilities in Hawaii have more options for voting than in most other states. Electronic ballots in particular, which can be paired with assistive technology, allow voters more freedom and independence. Any voter with a disability can request a ballot be emailed to them as an HTML file. Voters must sign a privacy waiver and ballots have to be printed and signed. Hawaii is one of the few states that allows voters to scan their signed ballots and return them by email, as well as by mail or dropped in an official ballot box. More voter outreach is needed to make people aware of this option.

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