Russ Ewell

While it is of the utmost importance to recognize the existence of disabilities and the absolute need for accessibility and representation, it is also important to take the time to celebrate the achievements of individuals who have disabilities.
One major controversy among the disabled community is the lack of true representation on a number of levels. For instance, all too often non-disabled actors and actresses are cast to play disabled characters while actual disabled actors are left disap...

It is very common for people to mistakenly believe that diversity equates to inclusivity when in fact, the two are not synonymous. Inclusion centers on people feeling valued, accepted, and respected while diversity involves a number of different characteristics, such as a person’s gender, age, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Although companies in every industry have been promoting diversity in the workplace for years it is imperative that human resource departments are ensuring that not on...

According to the research by the First 5 Center for Children’s Policy, families often have to wait for months or even years before receiving the formal diagnosis necessary to begin receiving services. Such delays can be very detrimental to some children as there are often critical windows of time in which interventions for specific conditions such as Rett’s Syndrome or autism are most effective.
Bureaucratic Delays
Notwithstanding the increases in postponements of services because of the pand...

People with disabilities and their advocates have spent years pushing for a requirement that medical schools begin to specifically train students on treating people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It may come as a surprise, however, there is currently no standard for such training in the medical community.
In 2019 two proposals were made that would have established a mandate on the standard curriculum of medical schools to include training on the treatment of developmental a...

Parents of special needs children understand the unique challenges. It’s natural to want to provide your children with the best support and protection, however at times, parents can become overprotective. In order for a child to build confidence and gain independence, they must be made aware of how much they can actually do all on their own. Of course, parents don’t want their children to be held back in any way, so fostering independence is vital, particularly in families with special needs....

It is very common for people to mistakenly believe that diversity equates to inclusivity when in fact, the two are not synonymous. Inclusion centers on people feeling valued, accepted, and respected while diversity involves a number of different characteristics, such as a person’s gender, age, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Although companies in every industry have been promoting diversity in the workplace for years it is imperative that human resource departments are ensuring that not on...

The dire warnings began early this year as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyone around the world. Schools closed and hastily threw together remote or virtual learning alternatives in the face of explosive outbreaks. Some have predicted a “wasted” school year for all students, most of all those already at high-risk of falling through the cracks: low-income and special needs students. Often these two high-risk groups overlap and normally have inherent obstacles to educational achievement. Th...

One of the first preventive measures that governors took to protect their states from COVID-19 was to shut down schools. Learning had to be stopped to protect the students from coronavirus. For months, students have been forced to study from home using conference calls and apps to connect with the tutor. Unfortunately, not all students can afford to learn from home.
Remote Learning Challenges
Since this is the first time in many years that schools have been forced to close on a massive scale,...

In the United States of America, there is a high rate of unemployment among people with disabilities. Many politicians talk about the importance of jobs for the disabled, however, there is little effort to push companies to employ this group. There should be specific policies that focus on job creation for people with disabilities and politicians should earn the trust of people with disabilities before expecting their votes. The candidates can begin by addressing structural barriers that limi...

Virtual College for Disabled Learners: A Need for Advocacy
Virtual education has quickly become a part of the “new normal” as many colleges and universities in the United States have made the tough decision to forego face-to-face classes this semester. Many students have been impacted by the decision to hold classes in an online environment. However, perhaps the most negatively affected group consists of students who have disabilities.
Though disabilities are commonly accommodated on campus, ...

With the outbreak of the novel Covid-19 coronavirus, more people than ever are working from home. This provides more opportunities for the disabled if they can find jobs that fit their skill levels and capabilities. With that in mind, the following are some jobs that disabled people can work from the comfort of their homes.
Customer Service
Anyone, including the disabled, can be successful working from home with the proper accommodations and equipment, according to USA Today. For a customer s...

Modern research has been demonstrating many positive effects of music for children with special needs. Some therapists are specially trained in utilizing these tools to help their clients increase focus, regulate emotions, increase social abilities, and improve motor skills.
Benefits of music
Improved social interaction
Music therapy or music classes often include collaboration and exchanging instruments and melodies. This type of interaction can be beneficial for children trying to improve s...

In today’s world of COVID-19, employers want to ensure their employees feel as safe as possible. For many, this means allowing most, if not, all employees to stay in their homes and work remotely. The push to remote work during the pandemic has shifted perspectives so that many employers will retain a remote workforce long after this situation is over. So, how do companies foster the same inclusion that working together in an office promotes?
Promote Social Interactions
We, humans, are social...

The world can sometimes feel very overwhelming and that is particularly true in children with autism. Autistic children often deal with external stress however, sensory kits can provide a great resource for the issue. Both children and their parents can greatly benefit from tools and activities which help with the management of the child’s stress and anxiety.
Sensory kits can stimulate a child’s senses, and help them deal with things such as anxiety and sensory overload. Every child is differ...

For many special needs students, early intervention is a key part of providing assistance. By giving children accommodations and therapy at an early age, they get the tools they need to continue growing and advancing. Unfortunately, many child therapists worry that the COVID-19 crisis may make early intervention more challenging. There are a few unique factors that may keep children from getting the diagnosis and care they need.
Teletherapy Doesn’t Address Unique Needs of Many Families
Most t...