2012

Ok, they say that if I make things known they will happen

So, plans are thus.
Graduate from Graduate School.

Get a pet and/or a baby. I would prefer a baby.

Make something big come together. Such as a large 'mission style' trip for an exchange of ideas with African born staff here in DC and go to West Africa for an idea exchange.

I'm gonna go to South Africa, Amsterdam, and Haiti.

I am going to live somewhere warm. In a home where my mom could stay with me if she wanted. On a beach or a community I would want to live.

I'm going to help someone or some people move into homes of their design with people they enjoy. (close the institutions)

Find ways for nt & Aspie communities to work together to further the disability movement. And through ending discrimination decrease bullying and misunderstanding of those with disabilities.

I'm going to start a program to teach about bullying defenses and reasons not to bully with the help of those that have been bullied because of their disabilities.

iPhone 4S Siri & Disabilites

Siri, the new voice recognition software on Apple's new iPhone 4S is the newest innovation for people with disabilities. It's a very exciting time for all of us looking at new technology for individuals with disabilities. Just look at all the new applications being developed for the iPad for use by those with autism.


Siri will take us a step further. Using voice recognition Siri is able to interact with your iPhone apps, maps, calendar, email etc. An individual can use Siri to set up pill reminders, turn on and off the lights, look up bus routes, call your buddy, all with speech. There will be little need for the user to have reading skills or a great memory to access Siri.

Judging by Apple's website they have already started to explore some of these options, check out this link. http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/siri.html

Integrating your home with Apple leads to more features using Siri. For instance, "Siri, please turn on my movie." or "Siri, set my alarm for 6am." or "Siri, text my staff and tell them I'm home from work."

Siri and Apple have the potential to open up a reasonably affordable way for people with disabilities to live a more compelling, independent life. I look forward to watching it unfold.

If you've started using your new iPhone with Siri and have found it helpful overcoming your disabilities I would love to hear from you. Of course all feedback is welcomed.

Birthday Wishes

On Sunday I turn another year older! I'm ok with it but made a decision not to make a big deal about it. No party or fan fair. I feel like I have so much already.

Today, I had the pleasure of taking five seniors with disabilities out for our Jubilee Golden-Ager Social Group. We planned on lunch and a movie. I didn't have a second staff today so I was on my own. Not a big deal except getting through the line and asking what everyone wanted and then helping everyone get started on lunch. Otherwise fairly uneventful. At Potbelly there are always live musicians playing when we go, as there was today. So I thought it was a nice venue for lunch. As we were finishing our meal one of the clients walked up to the musician, I thought to get a better view. Although, I don't really know how we could have been closer. I asked her to move to the side so she was out of the way of the busy lunchers. She complied and started talking to the guy with his small amp and guitar. She came back over to the table and sat down. Next thing I know the musician was singing Happy Birthday to me. It was great! I couldn't have asked for a better present than for my client to remember it was my birthday. What a serendipitous moment. I don't even know how she knew it was my birthday. I was humbled to be remembered.



If we hadn't chose Potbelly she wouldn't have had to opportunity to have someone sing to me. She let everyone else know about my birthday and they all said happy birthday. The other great present was her smile at surprising me and in seeing that it made me happy. What a super birthday present!



Thank you to the staff at Potbelly for being so accommodating. Especially the musician that was there. Our small tip didn't begin to say thank you.