Russ Ewell

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...

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...

From 2000 to 2008, autism was the fastest growing form of disability diagnosed in children living in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that currently, nearly two percent of the children in the United States live with Autism Spectral Disorder. The variety of symptoms that accompany the disorder sometimes make it difficult to speak or interact with others. They may have learning disabilities or difficulty using modern technology. However, there are many a...

Assistive Technologies For People Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing
Individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf have access to many systems and devices that help assist them with hearing sounds. Some of these devices assist them by visually conveying information, while other devices work by enhancing information through the use of auditory technology. These devices are used by both the young and old in various environments such as theaters, churches, hospitals, social gatherings, work and at ho...

The Importance of Independent Living for People with Disabilities
The philosophy of Independent Living holds as its axiom that disabled individuals are themselves better at assessing their needs than anyone else. This is a form of disability empowerment. To be able to direct their lives, such people with disabilities must organize so that they will have the political power to promote solutions for their dignity and voice. Among the ways that they can be empowered are with self-representation,...

Technology continues making advancements faster than in previous years. Modern-day technology is now commonplace in a variety of fields that include business, health care and recreation. There are a number of new innovations that are bound to change the world.
Technological Trends
American manufacturing has taken a heavy hit as companies make their way overseas or into Mexico. However, numerous companies are experiencing a resurgence thanks to technological advances. According to an article p...

A Brief History of Autism from 1997–2018
Over the course of the last 20 years, our knowledge of Autism and how we work to make the world accommodating to those with autism has changed dramatically. Many organizations and groups have taken part in and pioneered this process. For this article, I will be focusing on a community called Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC). This community has primarily assisted in advancing the understanding and treatment of autism.
This article w...