photo: oddee.com
Motala the elephant lives in Thailand and has been using this old-school prosthetic leg since 2005. It's just a bag filled with wood shavings.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
on giving
Yesterday I spent the day helping out at the Edmonton Emergency Relief Society. I spent several hours sorting through donations and boxing them up so that they can be sent to Slave Lake once there are facilities in place up there to handle donations.
So far, TONS of stuff has been donated. In fact, the EERS has no more room for donations until stuff can be shipped up north. What they don't have, though, is enough volunteers to process all these donations. It's not an exciting job, but it needs to be done.
It's been amazing to see such an outpouring of support for the victims of the Slave Lake fire. But it's easy enough to give away some old clothes you don't need anymore. It takes more commitment to actually spend time working.
Now, don't get me wrong. I think donating resources is very important and should be encouraged, and I know a lot of people work during the day and can't take time to volunteer. Just remember that what is easiest for you to give might not be what is needed the most.
If you still want to do something to help the people in Slave Lake, you can donate to the Red Cross (www.redcross.ca), call the EERS and see if they need more volunteers, or hang on to your donations until there's somewhere for them to go. Thrift stores like Value Village also always accept donations, and the money always goes to a good cause.
So far, TONS of stuff has been donated. In fact, the EERS has no more room for donations until stuff can be shipped up north. What they don't have, though, is enough volunteers to process all these donations. It's not an exciting job, but it needs to be done.
It's been amazing to see such an outpouring of support for the victims of the Slave Lake fire. But it's easy enough to give away some old clothes you don't need anymore. It takes more commitment to actually spend time working.
Now, don't get me wrong. I think donating resources is very important and should be encouraged, and I know a lot of people work during the day and can't take time to volunteer. Just remember that what is easiest for you to give might not be what is needed the most.
If you still want to do something to help the people in Slave Lake, you can donate to the Red Cross (www.redcross.ca), call the EERS and see if they need more volunteers, or hang on to your donations until there's somewhere for them to go. Thrift stores like Value Village also always accept donations, and the money always goes to a good cause.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
nobuyuki tsujii
Nobuyuki Tsujii is a world-renowned piano player from Japan. He has won many awards and medals for his piano playing, and enjoys hiking, skiing, and swimming in his free time. He has been blind since birth.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
not acceptable
If you haven't seen it yet, this PSA aired during last week's episode of Glee, and stars Lauren Potter and Jane Lynch. Check it out.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
how to help slave lake
photo: www.vancouversun.com
In case you haven't heard, the town of Slave Lake in Northern Alberta has been devastated by forest fires. If you want to help, you can donate to the Red Cross (www.redcross.ca) or to Edmonton Emergency Relief Services (http://www.eerss.ca).
Monday, May 16, 2011
how to make an accessible space, part one
Here are some pictures showing examples of accessibility and barriers to accessibility.
Let's start with the basics.
Let's start with the basics.
Automatic doors are great.
Doors with buttons are almost as great.
Non-automatic doors without buttons? Not so great.
Elevators are also very helpful.
Though a button people in wheelchairs could reach would be nice!
Signs telling you where the elevators are can be very handy.
Sometimes people need reminders!
Pro tip, though: most of us don't really enjoy being called "the disabled".
It's great when there are accessible alternatives to inaccessible routes- especially when the accessible way is right there, and you don't have to go around back!
Here's another example of a dually accessible entrance- the ramp is right beside the stairs. Convenient for everyone!
If the main entrance isn't accessible, it's nice to have a sign showing you where the accessible entrance is. Something more visible and closer to the main entrance would be even better.
Cutaway curbs make things a lot more convenient for those of us with wheels.
Although gravel in the spring makes things a bit tougher.
It's great when detours or temporary sidewalks are also accessible!
Though hard-to-notice gaps like this can be jarring.
Finally,
People in wheelchairs can have emergencies too! It would be nice to have a security phone where everyone could reach it.
That's all for this post. I'm planning on continuing, though, so if you have any suggestions for other examples of accessibility or barriers let me know!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
update
photo: www.oddee.com
Hey all. Sorry things have been a bit slow around here lately- it's finally begun to seem a bit like summer, and I've been enjoying the weather (and the end of classes for the year!). I also have a couple other projects on the go, which I will keep you posted on. Regular updates will be back soon.
Dave
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