Tag: IDD

July 10, 2024

All-Abilities Media and A Valid Podcast

Who doesn’t love a good podcast? They can be informative, uplifting, comforting, humorous, give you the “feel-good” in your heart and sometimes make you scratch your head and think “hmmm, I never thought about that!”  Sometimes it is simply good company for those long drives or rides. Recently a local podcast out of Pittsburgh is getting well deserved notoriety. All-Abilities...

Categories Community/Employment/General

June 26, 2024

Outdoor Safety in the Summer: Avoid Tickborne Diseases

It’s that time of year when the weather starts to warm up and we start to have outdoor activities.  As we go outside to enjoy the sun so do other living things.  We may not realize the prevalence. According to the Smithsonian Institute “insect /arachnids species have been found to be quite numerous, with calculations of from 3 to 23...

Categories General/Resources

June 12, 2024

Pittsburgh Zoo:  Sensory Friendly Mornings

“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!”  What is the first thing you think of when you hear this famous quote?  It might be the movie “The Wizard of Oz”, which this quote came from, or like me, you might think of the zoo. A visit to the zoo can be an amazing experience for many; however, for those with...

Categories Community/General

June 5, 2024

Did you know?! 45 Is the New 50 for Colorectal Cancer Screening

No one knows why colorectal cancer rates are increasing in young people. Sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity concerns, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption have all been linked to the disease. Low-fiber, high-fat diets, or diets high in processed meats, and other environmental factors also play a role. Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps is of course a risk factor....

Categories General

May 29, 2024

Empowering Community Employment One Sip at a Time

Opportunity. Dreams. Choice. How often do you think about these themes and what they mean in your life? There is a sense of purpose and meaning tied to the responsibilities of employment. The American workday not only means financial independence brought by a paycheck, but also a sense of connectedness. The hours add up to a lifetime of potential impact...

Categories Community/Employment/General

May 22, 2024

New Inclusive Designs for Starbucks

I love quiet time to relax and enjoy a nice hot cup of tea. I find myself choosing to go through a drive thru as the cafe’s, especially the Starbucks in my community are small and noisy. A new Starbucks store has opened in Washington D.C.’s Union Market. The new store design is setting an example for more accessible and...

Categories General

May 15, 2024

Rising Tide Car Wash: Shining Opportunities

According to the CDC, as of 2023, around 75 million people have autism spectrum disorder in the U.S. That’s 1% of the world’s population. One in 36 children, or over 2.7% of 8-year-old children, in the U.S. were diagnosed with ASD in 2020. The statistics show there are many potential workers, people with autism, around the country. However, the unemployment...

Categories General

May 8, 2024

Lisa Tovcimak:  A New American Hero

“The British are coming; the British are coming!”  As Americans, we have all been taught these famous words of Paul Revere since a young age. We Americans value our freedom.  We hold Paul Revere in high esteem and remember him as an American hero for helping to safeguard our liberties.  What if…instead he had yelled through the night “The cavities...

Categories Community/Resources

May 1, 2024

Colin the Jedi: A Star Wars Story

To say I had an affinity for all things sci-fi when I was a kid would be an understatement. It was more like a constant preoccupation. For a while, it was all about Star Trek. I could talk nonstop about the Enterprise and her crew. I drifted off to sleep each night, wondering what it would be like to have...

Categories Everyday Life/General/Resources

April 17, 2024

Three New Printable Forms on the DSP Handbook App!

You asked and we delivered! In response to your requests, we’ve added three new printable forms to the DSP Handbook app. Blood Pressure Log: Sometimes a person may have high blood pressure, otherwise known as Hypertension.  The treating medical professional may want to obtain a record of the person’s blood pressure prior to prescribing a medication or may want a record...

Categories Resources/Technology