UCPLA

Choose to Include. Make a difference. Share this to influence the people around you to do the same. #disabilityinculsion

Masks with clear windows help people with hearing impairments read lips and visual clues. It's harder to communicate with a mask on, but it's necessary to slow the spread of Covid-19. Which mask do you prefer to wear? Read more here:

ICYMI: President Joe Biden revealed a $1.9 trillion proposal late last week. Here are the possibilities: -Doing away with paying workers with disabilities less than minimum wage. -Disbursing stimulus payments to adults with disabilities who are considered dependents for tax purposes. Click here for more: Biden Plan Would End Subminimum Wage, Offer Stimulus Checks To More With Disabilities - Disability Scoop

A reminder that the pandemic has been especially hard on families caring for children with disabilities. Since March many have had to contend with the loss of in-person support from teachers, aides, therapists, family members and home health workers. Some have gone months with no services at all.

A pioneer passed away over the weekend. Karen Killilea was determined to show that her disability had not limited her. Ms. Killilea's story is remarkable for how she fiercely advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. May she rest in peace while we continue to carry the torch.

Submit your art for a chance to be featured in the 8th annual Blank Canvas art celebration! To enter, you must send web quality images with clean backgrounds by February 22, 2021 for review to Stephani Anderson [email protected] or Aragna Ker [email protected]. The event will be held March 27, 2021!

Our friend Paul Nankivell’s book, "Redefining Normal," relates what it feels like to grow up with a disability from the inside out. It's now available in audio form. You can learn more about the powerful story of overcoming the misconceptions people have of disabilities and advocating for equality and dignity: https://adbl.co/3akrqfY

Great news on the medical front! These tests can reduce the diagnosis for cerebral palsy from an average of 19.5 months to nine and a half months. The difference can be life changing.

Exciting progress on the Salerno project in Irvine’s Cypress Village community. UCPLA advocated 10 units be made for people with disabilities. Lack of affordable housing for people with disabilities is a critical problem, especially for people with developmental disabilities. We are grateful to be partners in prioritizing these solutions!

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here's a list of books you can read that will better help you understand disabilities and chronic illness. Share this with a friend!

Check out this cool video of sport climber, Lai Chi Wai, going up 800 feet alongside a Honk Kong skyscraper by rope! Read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com//hong-kong-climber-wheelchair-skys #disabilityawareness

Since the pandemic, we have pivoted our day programs to provide more one-on-one support. Art instructor Larry Pearce and artist Chris Brown have developed a bond over the last nine months that has positively impacted the work being done. We love highlighting these uplifting stories of perseverance and triumph in 2020. Read more here: https://www.ucpla.org/chris-and-larry-highlight-the-succes/

Exciting to see this new effort underway to better prepare future doctors and other health care professionals to treat people with disabilities. The project will involve people with disabilities and their families at all stages.

How cool is this? Amanda Berriman posted on Twitter about her kid's inspiration: "My 10yo, a wheelchair user, was so excited to 'unlock' a wheelchair on LEGO Group Lego City Undercover that he immediately went away and worked out how to build his own wheelchairs for two of his #Lego figures. He even added anti-tips! #RepresentationMatters #LegoIdeas"... Love to see inclusive builds and Lego taking notice of the idea!

The pandemic has placed immense pressure on children trying to learn. Online instruction continues to pose a serious challenge for some with disabilities. And underlying health conditions make in-person learning risky.

There are some great holiday movies that include people with disabilities to get you into the holiday spirit.

An incredible, uplifting story for your Election Day. His strength helped raise over $100,000. May you find this level of determination.

If you haven't already, Karen and Tony want to remind you to use your voice and VOTE. Every vote counts. Who represents you locally MATTERS. Do your civic duty and don't let anything stop you from your right to vote.

Witchy Wanda and all of us at UCPLA want to wish you a happy Halloween! May you have a fang-tastic evening, ghoul-friend.

New technology designed to provide access and opportunity to people with disabilities. Check out how two new devices are in the works to change lives. Shout out to Hackaday for their challenge to find solutions and the UCPLA Dream stepping up with their creativity! See Less

Estimates show 38.3 million people with disabilities will be eligible to vote in this year's election. Know your rights as a voter. You are important!

Thanks to the Hackaday Supplyframe Challenge, we’re helping develop technology that can create #accessibility for people with disabilities. Artist Chris Brown is testing the new universal remote that can be paired with streaming services. More on this soon, stay tuned!

Election day is just one week away. While many have already voted by mail, many will still be going to the polls. Vote centers will be monitored to ensure they are ADA compliant.

Innovation at work! Researchers at Columbia Engineering developed the robotic Trunk Support Trainer (TruST) that shows improved trunk and reaching control in children with cerebral palsy who have impaired sitting control. Very cool.

Even through the drizzle, we had a blast on the course raising money for the UCPLA Endowment at the annual Devon Stern Golf Outing. Thank you to everyone who made it a success!

We want to wish our chair of UCPLA’s Board of Directors, Dr. JJ Levenstein a happy birthday. JJ spent 30 years caring for children at her private practice in Los Angeles and voted as one of the Best Doctors in America. She truly is a champion for all. We’re grateful for her leadership and the future ahead. Happy birthday, JJ!

What an awesome gift, Teresa Smith said. Now our family is complete. Here's a Thursday story to make your heart melt.

Even though UCPLA's Washington Reid Gallery remains closed, there is plenty of new artwork to check out with the recently opened virtual exhibit "Exploring Quarantine." Over 180 artists and their work from around the world are featured! https://www.washingtonreidgallery.com/virtual-exhibiton