Shadow interpretation connects Omaha Deaf community to beloved Christmas tradition

Several churches in North Central Ohio are successfully removing barriers for families with disabilities through specialized ministry programs. Champions Club at Storyside Church serves children with trained volunteers in sensory-friendly spaces adapted to each child's needs. Pure Joy at Ashland Grace Church uses a buddy system to serve 17+ participants with varying needs. And Wonderful Works Ministry extends this impact globally by providing free online coaching to churches worldwide, having reached 200 pastors.

Soar Experiences, a New York-based nonprofit, provides free guided outdoor tours for people with limited mobility using Trackchairs, rugged, battery-powered all-terrain wheelchairs that can traverse hiking trails. The program has recently expanded to 15 public hikes across New York and Connecticut, helping people living with disabilities connect with both nature and each other.

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) started working with people who have disabilities to create better disaster preparedness measures that consider disabilities, ensuring support and shelter are accessible to anyone and everyone. ACI held an overnight shelter simulation exercise that allowed them to practice each step of an emergency shelter response with people who have disabilities to identify any areas that could be improved. These simulations have become a model for other counties across the state, inspiring more shelters to make improvements to their accessibility.

“AGATEBE” was developed to help make it easier for the elderly and people with disabilities to access toilets. It is a portable, durable, low-cost toilet chair that is easier to use than traditional latrine pits. So far, more than 5,000 have been sold.

The Center for Ability, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment (CARE) helps people with disabilities navigate the boarding and departing process at airports by setting up a disability desk with resources including people trained in navigating the challenges people with disabilities often face at airports.

Because Arabic-speakers are not entitled to translated election materials under the Voting Rights Act, Michigan organizers in Dearborn and Hamtramck instead took the issue to their city councils and were able to secure local legislation requiring the communities to provide Arabic-language ballots. The new resource was available for the first time during the August primary.

Gallaudet University has interior design and architecture built with the needs and preferences of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in mind. By analyzing the effects of lighting, color, space, and other design principles emphatically, restaurants and other public spaces can be similarly accommodating for individuals with different hearing abilities.

NaviLens developed an app that scans codes posted at bus stops and train stations to provide real-time information via audio and vibration cues for people who are blind or have low vision. The NaviLens app provides information on when the next bus or train is coming, how far a user is from the nearest elevator, and other key details to make the transportation process smoother.

Minnesota is purchasing “track chairs” with all-terrain treads for its parks that people with disabilities can use for free to access more areas and trails.

A new program in San Francisco that launched last year aims to help small business owners comply with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act by granting businesses up to $10,000 to make accessible renovations or hire inspectors to avoid hefty lawsuits.