NEW HOPE, Pennsylvania — Former special education teacher Jessica Zander cultivated a beautiful sanctuary where experiences are tailor-made for children of all abilities.
‘Helping Friendly Farm’ opened in 2022 and offers families a combination of sensory exploration, nature, and animal interaction.
After making a reservation, families typically have the whole farm to themselves and can enjoy activities at their own pace.
They can enjoy various rooms in the sensory barn and interact with trained animals like goats and pigs.
To learn more about ‘Helping Friendly Farm,’ watch the video above and visit their website.
U.S. regulators on Monday gave the green light to a pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, the first daily oral medication to treat obesity.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval handed drugmaker Novo Nordisk an edge over rival Eli Lilly in the race to market an obesity pill. Lilly’s oral drug, orforglipron, is still under review.Both pills are GLP-1 drugs that work like widely used injectables to mimic a natural hormone that controls appetite and feelings of fullness.Video above: Doctor’s perspective on making GLP-1s more affordableIn recent years, Novo Nordisk’s injectable Wegovy and Lilly’s Zepbound have revolutionized obesity treatment globally and in the U.S., where 100 million people have the chronic disease.The Wegovy pills are expected to be available within weeks, company officials said. Availability of oral pills to treat obesity could expand the booming market for obesity treatments by broadening access and reducing costs, experts said.About 1 in 8 Americans have used injectable GLP-1 drugs, according to a survey from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research group. But many more have trouble affording the costly shots.“There’s an entire demographic that can benefit from the pills,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, a Massachusetts General Hospital obesity expert. “For me, it’s not just about who gets it across the finish line first. It’s about having these options available to patients.”The Novo Nordisk obesity pill contains 25 milligrams of semaglutide. That’s the same ingredient in injectables Wegovy and Ozempic and in Rybelsus, a lower-dose pill approved to treat diabetes in 2019.In a clinical trial, participants who took oral Wegovy lost 13.6% of their total body weight on average over about 15 months, compared with a 2.2% loss if they took a placebo, or dummy pill. That’s nearly the same as injectable Wegovy, with an average weight loss of about 15%.Chris Mertens, 35, a pediatric lung doctor in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, joined the Novo Nordisk trial in 2022 and lost about 40 pounds using the Wegovy pill. The daily medication worked to decrease his appetite and invasive thoughts of food, he said.“If there were days where I missed a meal, I almost didn’t realize it,” Mertens said.Participants in a clinical trial who took the highest dose of Lilly’s orforglipron lost 11.2% of their total body weight on average over nearly 17 months, compared with a 2.1% loss in those who took a placebo.Both pills resulted in less weight loss than the average achieved with Lilly’s Zepbound, or tirzepatide, which targets two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, and led to a 21% average weight loss.All the GLP-1 drugs, oral or injectable, have similar side effects, including nausea and diarrhea.Both daily pills promise convenience, but the Wegovy pill must be taken with a sip of water in the morning on an empty stomach, with a 30-minute break before eating or drinking.That’s because Novo Nordisk had to design the pill in a way that prevented the drug from being broken down in the stomach before it could be absorbed by the bloodstream. The drugmaker added an ingredient that protects the medication for about 30 minutes in the gut and makes it easier to take effect.By contrast, Lilly’s orforglipron has no dosing restrictions. That drug is being considered under the FDA’s new priority voucher program aimed at cutting drug approval times. A decision is expected by spring.Producing pills is generally cheaper than making drugs delivered via injections, so the cost for the new oral medications could be lower. The Trump administration earlier this year said officials had worked with drugmakers to negotiate lower prices for the GLP-1 drugs, which can cost upwards of $1,000 a month.The company said the starting dose would be available for $149 per month from some providers. Additional information on cost will be available in January.It’s not clear whether daily pills or weekly injections will be preferred by patients. Although some patients dislike needles, others don’t seem to mind the weekly injections, obesity experts said. Mertens turned to injectable Zepbound when he regained weight after the end of the Wegovy pill clinical trial.He said he liked the discipline of the daily pill.“It was a little bit of an intentional routine and a reminder of today I’m taking this so that I know my choices are going to be affected for the day,” he said.Dr. Angela Fitch, an obesity expert and chief medical officer of knownwell, a health care company, said whatever the format, the biggest benefit will be in making weight-loss medications more widely accessible and affordable.“It’s all about the price,” she said. “Just give me a drug at $100 a month that is relatively effective.”
U.S. regulators on Monday gave the green light to a pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, the first daily oral medication to treat obesity.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval handed drugmaker Novo Nordisk an edge over rival Eli Lilly in the race to market an obesity pill. Lilly’s oral drug, orforglipron, is still under review.
Both pills are GLP-1 drugs that work like widely used injectables to mimic a natural hormone that controls appetite and feelings of fullness.
Video above: Doctor’s perspective on making GLP-1s more affordable
In recent years, Novo Nordisk’s injectable Wegovy and Lilly’s Zepbound have revolutionized obesity treatment globally and in the U.S., where 100 million people have the chronic disease.
The Wegovy pills are expected to be available within weeks, company officials said. Availability of oral pills to treat obesity could expand the booming market for obesity treatments by broadening access and reducing costs, experts said.
About 1 in 8 Americans have used injectable GLP-1 drugs, according to a survey from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research group. But many more have trouble affording the costly shots.
“There’s an entire demographic that can benefit from the pills,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, a Massachusetts General Hospital obesity expert. “For me, it’s not just about who gets it across the finish line first. It’s about having these options available to patients.”
The Novo Nordisk obesity pill contains 25 milligrams of semaglutide. That’s the same ingredient in injectables Wegovy and Ozempic and in Rybelsus, a lower-dose pill approved to treat diabetes in 2019.
In a clinical trial, participants who took oral Wegovy lost 13.6% of their total body weight on average over about 15 months, compared with a 2.2% loss if they took a placebo, or dummy pill. That’s nearly the same as injectable Wegovy, with an average weight loss of about 15%.
Chris Mertens, 35, a pediatric lung doctor in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, joined the Novo Nordisk trial in 2022 and lost about 40 pounds using the Wegovy pill. The daily medication worked to decrease his appetite and invasive thoughts of food, he said.
“If there were days where I missed a meal, I almost didn’t realize it,” Mertens said.
Participants in a clinical trial who took the highest dose of Lilly’s orforglipron lost 11.2% of their total body weight on average over nearly 17 months, compared with a 2.1% loss in those who took a placebo.
Both pills resulted in less weight loss than the average achieved with Lilly’s Zepbound, or tirzepatide, which targets two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, and led to a 21% average weight loss.
All the GLP-1 drugs, oral or injectable, have similar side effects, including nausea and diarrhea.
Both daily pills promise convenience, but the Wegovy pill must be taken with a sip of water in the morning on an empty stomach, with a 30-minute break before eating or drinking.
That’s because Novo Nordisk had to design the pill in a way that prevented the drug from being broken down in the stomach before it could be absorbed by the bloodstream. The drugmaker added an ingredient that protects the medication for about 30 minutes in the gut and makes it easier to take effect.
By contrast, Lilly’s orforglipron has no dosing restrictions. That drug is being considered under the FDA’s new priority voucher program aimed at cutting drug approval times. A decision is expected by spring.
Producing pills is generally cheaper than making drugs delivered via injections, so the cost for the new oral medications could be lower. The Trump administration earlier this year said officials had worked with drugmakers to negotiate lower prices for the GLP-1 drugs, which can cost upwards of $1,000 a month.
The company said the starting dose would be available for $149 per month from some providers. Additional information on cost will be available in January.
It’s not clear whether daily pills or weekly injections will be preferred by patients. Although some patients dislike needles, others don’t seem to mind the weekly injections, obesity experts said. Mertens turned to injectable Zepbound when he regained weight after the end of the Wegovy pill clinical trial.
He said he liked the discipline of the daily pill.
“It was a little bit of an intentional routine and a reminder of today I’m taking this so that I know my choices are going to be affected for the day,” he said.
Dr. Angela Fitch, an obesity expert and chief medical officer of knownwell, a health care company, said whatever the format, the biggest benefit will be in making weight-loss medications more widely accessible and affordable.
“It’s all about the price,” she said. “Just give me a drug at $100 a month that is relatively effective.”
German aerospace engineer Michaela (Michi) Benthaus has used a wheelchair ever since 2018, when a mountain biking accident led to a life-changing spinal cord injury. Today, she’s a trailblazer for accessibility in human spaceflight, and she’s about to go where no wheelchair user has gone before.
Blue Origin is gearing up to launch Benthaus and five other civilian astronauts to suborbital space aboard New Shepherd’s 37th flight, making her the first person with paraplegia to travel beyond Earth. She will be accompanied by aerospace engineer and former SpaceX employee Hans Koenigsmann, investor Joey Hyde, entrepreneur Neal Milch, investor Adonis Pouroulis, and self-proclaimed “space nerd” Jason Stansell.
New Shepherd flights last 10 to 12 minutes from liftoff to landing and allow the crew to experience a few minutes of weightlessness. The NS-37 mission is scheduled to launch from Launch Site One in West Texas no earlier than 9:30 a.m. ET next Thursday, December 18. Blue will begin livestreaming the event 40 minutes before liftoff.
In a LinkedIn post, Benthaus said she’s “beyond excited” for the mission. “This feels like an important step since space travel for people with disabilities is still in its very early days. I’m so thankful and hope it inspires a change in mindset across the space industry, creating more opportunities for people like me.”
Making spaceflight accessible to all
When it comes to making spaceflight accessible to those with disabilities, there’s still much work to be done. Traditionally, astronauts selected for space missions have been highly trained, athletically fit, and able-bodied. This has led to knowledge gaps around the human factors, operational challenges, and technological limitations that prevent people with disabilities from becoming astronauts.
Only in recent years have researchers begun to investigate these hurdles and develop ways to help people overcome them. One organization leading the charge is AstroAccess, which Benthaus has been an ambassador for since 2022.
The advocacy group conducts microgravity and analog astronaut missions with disabled scientists, veterans, students, athletes, and artists to investigate how spacecraft environments can be designed so that all astronauts can work and thrive in space. When Benthaus became an ambassador, she participated in a parabolic flight that allowed her to experience zero gravity for the first time.
Achieving a major milestone
The commercial spaceflight industry—particularly space tourism—plays an important role in improving spaceflight accessibility by offering mission opportunities to a more diverse population. Earlier this year, deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) AstroAccess ambassadors completed astronaut training for New Shepherd missions.
Now that she’s completed her own training, Benthaus is poised to become the first AstroAccess ambassador to actually participate in a New Shepherd flight. Her achievement will help validate strategies for making spaceflight accessible to people with paraplegia and pave the way for future astronauts with this condition.
“I thought my dream of going to space had ended forever when I had my accident,” Benthaus wrote in her LinkedIn post. “I might be the first—but have no intention of being the last.”
If you want to run faster or farther, you have options. You can put in the work, getting up 40 minutes earlier to train, changing your diet, going harder and longer on each of your runs to build up strength.
Or, you can strap on one of Nike’s new robot shoes and mechanically boost your speed, your stamina, and your overall performance in a flash. Sounds way easier, and probably more fun too.
Today the footwear giant unveiled Project Amplify, an early design of a powered footwear system that Nike technicians are still developing with the goal of a commercial release in 2028.
Amplify has a few parts. At the top, an elastic cuff containing a ring of batteries fits onto the wearer’s calf. Attached to the battery array is a mechanical arm that points downward, with the thickest part sitting over the outside of the ankle. That thick part is where the motor lives, and that motor drives a hinged piece that’s attached to the heel of the shoe.
The shoe itself is a run-walk shoe with a carbon plate and modern Nike looks. (The company says you can detach the shoes and wear them sans motorized appliance; helpful for when the batteries need recharging.)
At the end of each step, the motor pulls up on the heel of the shoe. The device is calibrated so the movement of the motor can match the natural movement of each person’s ankle and lower leg. The result is that each step is powered, or given a little bit of a spring and an extra push by the robot mechanism.
Nike doesn’t expect that competitive athletes or distance runners will be able to strap these on and start shaving minutes off their marathon times. Rather, the device is meant to boost the movement of people who are thoroughly middle-of-the road runners or joggers. Nike cites the 10- to 12-minute miler as Project Amplify’s eventual target market. The company says a device like this will give the gentle assist necessary to help those folks either improve their overall fitness or help them endure longer distances while they’re on runs. It’s also being designed for everyday walkers and people who are on their feet for long stretches, basically giving any human the ability to stay mobile longer and with more comfort.
Nike has been developing Project Amplify for years; here are some prototypes.
The four environmental modes can be of some help here, but the best in my experience was the default Comfort mode, which “reduces the sharpness of high-frequency sounds and overall intensity, creating a more comfortable, balanced listening experience.” The Atom X’s Conversation mode was too sharp for much use, while the Crowd and TV modes didn’t make a big impact in comparison to the Comfort mode.
Photograph: Chris Null
I immediately noticed that there was a much lower level of hiss on the Atom X than on previous Audien hearing aids, but the overall experience still wasn’t all that effective. By blasting out lower frequencies I didn’t need amplified, I found I often heard worse with the hearing aids in than with them out—and this was exacerbated the louder I pushed the volume. At very low levels of amplification (10 or 20 percent at most), the hearing aids were at their most effective for me. Anything beyond that threatened to get painful.
At $389, the Atom X is a tough sell compared to the $249 Apple AirPods Pro 3, which have a tuning system, app control, outstanding noise cancellation, and overall better-quality hearing support. Yes, they are much larger and more visible than the Atom X aids, but if you never actually wear your hearing aids because they don’t provide a great experience, how much does discretion even matter?
So what is it about the Enhance Select 700 aids that makes them 200 better than the Select 500? The big sell is a new audio feature called SoundScape Auto Focus. This technology is designed to improve speech clarity in noisy conditions, filtering out background sounds and automatically prioritizing human voices. Auto Focus is integrated into the hardware and can’t be toggled off or tweaked; Jabra describes the technology as non-directional and dynamic, able to pick out voices even if they aren’t being generated directly in front of you.
I struggled a bit with Auto Focus when I first started using the Enhance Select 700, as I had trouble hearing my wife in a restaurant playing loudish music over the PA—exactly the scenario Auto Focus was designed for. I requested a programming change from Jabra to mitigate this issue, and new tuning was promptly pushed to the hearing aids through Jabra’s app. I’ve had better luck with them since, but technologies like this always tend to provide variable results from one environment to the next.
Overall, audio quality is otherwise up to Jabra’s high standards, but I wasn’t able to tell any dramatic difference between the 700 and their predecessor.
Tiny Filters
Photograph: Chris Null
The only other change of note is a minuscule feature on the hearing aid hardware. The microphones on the Select 700 are now covered with tiny filters that can be changed the same way the wax guards on the hearing aid receivers are changed, in the event they become dirty. Since the microphones are located on the backs of the hearing aid instead of inside the ear canal, chances are you won’t need to change those filters very often, but active users (or anyone who wears a lot of hair product) may find this a helpful way to streamline maintenance. To Jabra’s credit, tons of replacement filters are included in the box, along with a copious number of ear tips in multiple sizes.
The bottom line is that if you’re happy with your Enhance Select 500 (or 300), there is absolutely no need to rush to upgrade to the Select 700. The same calculus that applied to the decision of whether to purchase the 300 or 500 models also still applies: At $1,695, the Select 300 are $300 cheaper than the Select 700’s MSRP, and most users with mild or moderate hearing loss probably won’t be able to tell the difference between the two experiences. For that reason, the Jabra Enhance Select 300 remains my top pick for over-the-counter hearing aids, with the 700 making for a compelling product if price is no object.
Accommodations for employees with disabilities often cost little, and employers may be eligible for tax credits.
Inclusive workplaces foster higher morale, retention, productivity, and reflect a commitment to accessibility and acceptance.
Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) reminds us that an inclusive workforce is both possible and necessary. For the millions of Americans with disabilities currently employed, having a job is much more than a paycheck. A job represents the ability to contribute to society and have a life of fulfillment, independence and purpose.
The fact is that only about 37% of working-age people with disabilities are employed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Today, job seekers with disabilities are turned away before they get through the door. This is in part due to some business leaders believing that hiring a person with disabilities will come at a cost. However, in most cases, the benefit far outweighs the cost. As the leader of an organization that supports more than 350 people through a Vocational and Supported Employment Services, and also employs 46 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across various roles, I know the positive impact is much greater.
People with IDD bring a wealth of skills, experiences and unique perspectives to the workplace. They embody the very qualities employers’ value most: Problem-solving, independence, adaptability, loyalty and resilience. They have spent their entire lives navigating a world not designed for them. They overcome this challenge with persistence giving them strength that cannot be taught, only lived.
It is a privilege to watch employees working and thriving at Candleworks by ACLD, a business we launched in 2022 to create job opportunities. Candleworks makes hand-poured candles, wax melts and diffusers. Among our first employees was Frank, who quickly showed a talent for candle making. At first, he was quiet and reserved, but he steadily built his skills and confidence. I often saw him working diligently in the shop. He was focused, productive and increasingly engaged. Over time, he experimented with scents, shared ideas and eventually leading tours. Last year, he was promoted to lead production assistant, and recently he filmed content for Candleworks’ social media, affectionately called “#FrankCam.”
This October, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Candleworks will launch Frank’s own creation: A Pumpkin Pie candle. His journey is an example of when given the chance, individuals of all abilities can shine. This is an important example of how providing a job can have a profound impact.
In terms of the cost for hiring and making accommodations for a person with IDD, it is lower than expected. Over the last several years, the Job Accommodation Network, (JAN) funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, has been conducting research on the cost to employers for hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. Of those employers surveyed, 61% stated the accommodations needed cost nothing; 33% reported that the accommodations were a one-time expense, with a median of $300. Just 6% stated that the accommodation resulted in an annual median cost of $2,400 for the company.
Employers who hire any person who has consistently faced barriers to employment may be eligible to receive the Work Opportunity Tax Credit with a maximum credit of $2,400.
Being an inclusive employer creates advantages far greater than any tax credit. This approach demonstrates to current and perspective employees that the organization fosters a work environment rooted in inclusion, accessibility and acceptance. This strengthens internal morale, which leads to a boost in retention and even production. The theme for NDEAM this October is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”
To support NDEAM this month, I encourage business owners to explore this untapped workforce and see the ways they will benefit from hiring a person with disabilities.
Robert Ciatto is president/CEO of Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) in Bethpage.
Many businesses that provide goods and services to the EU’s 450 million consumers must comply with new accessibility standards that took effect in June. Like the GDPR before it, this new act had companies scrambling to adjust their websites, e-commerce platforms, and banking apps. But despite similar standards existing in the U.S., many still have a long way to go.
“One thing that surprised us was companies, even massive companies, coming to us two weeks before [the deadline] saying, ‘Oh we didn’t know anything about this,’” said Irish entrepreneur Cormac Chisholm.
His startup, DevAlly, is among the first to leverage technology to make it easier for businesses to detect accessibility problems. It also helps them comply with regulations like the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which promises hefty fines for new products and services that aren’t in compliance. (Existing ones get a grace period to comply until 2030.)
Launched in 2024, DevAlly audits for accessibility barriers such as, for instance, videos lacking captions on corporate websites. It also tracks customer-reported issues, helps companies create roadmaps for fixes and generate accessibility reports.
While human consultants can also conduct audits, DevAlly’s CEO Chisholm, believes a such an approach can’t scale to meet demand or adapt to the realities of shipping digital products and features. DevAlly has accessibility experts, too, but it leverages AI and accessibility LLMs to automate testing and issue tracking. This, Chisholm believes, helps integrate accessibility with the product development lifecycle.
This tech-first approach mirrors the path taken by cybersecurity compliance company Vanta, now valued at $2.45 billion.
The regulatory tailwinds and growing awareness around accessibility helped DevAlly secure €2 million in pre-seed funding (approximately $2.3 million), TechCrunch learned exclusively.
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With this new capital, the team plans to grow its team from 5 to 15 people by the end of the year — mostly in Dublin, where it participated in the NDRC accelerator program operated by Dogpatch Labs on behalf of state body Enterprise Ireland.
NDRC and Enterprise Ireland participated in the round, but it was led by Belgian fund Miles Ahead Capital, with participation from European angels. According to DevAlly’s founders, that’s in part thanks to tech conference Slush, where they made the top 3 of the startup competition and connected with their future lead investor.
“Traditionally in Ireland, the approach is to go with an Irish VC, but we went with Europe, and one of the things that we’re super excited about is to explore what that unlocks from this investor,” Chisholm said.
DevAlly will use Miles Ahead’s support to launch U.S. operations, starting with sales in San Francisco. The city proved valuable for connecting with heads of accessibility at large B2B software companies after DevAlly participated in TechCrunch Disrupt’s Startup Battlefield 2024. “A lot of our customers right now are on the West Coast,” co-founder and chief revenue officer Patrick Guiney told TechCrunch.
The startup has seen traction in Europe thanks to the EAA coming into force. So have other players, such as Barcelona-based QualiBooth, which recently reviewed the state of European e-commerce accessibility — retail is one focus of the EAA. But both startups also see opportunities in the U.S., where DevAlly is betting on procurement as a major driver of demand.
With estimates that disabled consumers and their households represent $8 trillion a year in disposable income, Chisholm is adamant that “good design is accessible design.” One in five people live with disability, and disability can also be situational — because heavy glare makes it impossible to read your screen in sunlight, or you are holding a baby and can’t access control buttons, he said. “So you want to try and create as much universal design as possible.”
The actions a company may take to address this range from screen reader support to higher contrast and gradients that work for the color-blind. But recent analysis conducted by UX/UI design agency Tenscope found that 94% of the top 1,000 US websites fail basic accessibility standards.
The travel industry was the worst performer, preventing many users from completing basic functions like contact forms, account creation, and online purchases. Even before the EAA, Spanish airline Vueling was fined for failing to make its website accessible.
With the EU-wide EAA now involving multiple jurisdictions, each with its own fines, big tech companies that operate in multiple countries could find themselves in search of help. “That’s why we’re positioning ourselves as a bridge to Europe for these U.S companies,” Chisholm said.
If they do, this will be good news for DevAlly and their investors; but possibly for all of us, Chisholm said. “The improvements that come with accessibility, like subtitles at Netflix, become massive advancements in terms of how we all use technology. It’s a much better form of design.”
Greenville SC’s very first totally inclusive playground named after Brooks Foster opens Tuesday, September 29th and we’ve got all the details.
Brooks Foster at Brooks’ Playground
Brooks’ Playground
Greenville, SC finally has their own inclusive playground with the opening of the brand new Brooks’ Playground, 10,640-square-foot playground at Cleveland Park. And it opens Tuesday, September 29th!
It is absolutely beautiful and a very special place for everyone. We went to the grand opening and got to see Brooks Foster and her lovely family, who put so much of their energy, time, finances, and love into the playground. It’s obvious how much they wanted to give this to the community.
“Our family loves being outside and Brooks’ younger sister, Ellie, always wants to play at the playground,” writes Reagin Foster, Brooks’ mother on the City of Greenville’s website. “Unfortunately, it has been difficult to find a playground where the girls can play together and have access to the necessary amenities. This is where the idea for Brooks’ Playground began.
Kids at Brooks’ Playground
The new playground is located near Shelter 6 at Cleveland Park near downtown Greenville and is named after Brooks Foster, a little girl with Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia (a rare neurological syndrome). Her family wanted to create a playground where anyone could play, regardless of their special needs.
The playground includes play elements designed for all kids ages six months to 13+ years.
The project was funded by $2.3 million from the City of Greenville and $1.3 million in private donations.
Elements of Brooks’ Playground
There are several fantastic elements of Brooks’ Playground that make it especially unique and helpful for families who have kids with special needs. Chris Yang, a Design Consultant with Carolina Parks and Play who worked on Brooks’ Playground, revealed tons of interesting information about why specific aspects of the design were chosen:
Look at all that shade!
Completely fenced in: parents of kids with special needs (and toddlers in general) need someplace where they are able to know their kids cannot escape without their notice. This was a key feature of the design.
Shade: we all know how hot summers are in the South and Brooks’ Playground has multiple sun shades to protect kids and caregivers alike. But there are more reasons why the shade covers 85% of the playground: 1) studies show parents who take their kids to the playground stay longer when there is shade and 2) some kids cannot regulate their body temperatures and the shade is crucial to help them with that.
Anti-static flooring: the ground of the playground is anti-static because static interrupts the hearing devices of kids who use them (and they are really expensive to fix). The roller slide at the playground is static-free as well. The floor is also anti-microbial.
Swings & Zip Lines: there are two zip lines at the playground plus a large swing that a child could lay down on and swing.
Merry-go-round: the merry-go-round is perfect for kids who want to sit, run around, or use a wheelchair.
Ramps: ramps at the playground go all the way to the top of the play structures. There is also a ramp through a really cool tunnel with stars. It’s cute!
Calming colors: the colors were chosen by the Foster family and are specifically calming colors of blues and greens. It’s beautiful.
Tactile aspects: the playground was designed with lots of different aspects to appeal to a wide variety of kids – a water mister, touch and feel, things that make sound, etc.
Enjoying the mister!
“We designed the playground so that kids of all ages and abilities and play together without technology,” said Yang.
I watched this design in action and saw kids who didn’t know each other playing together and having fun. It was honestly the sweetest thing to see.
Accessible Walkways and Bathrooms
The playground includes several accessible, paved paths but one of the coolest things is the three new bathrooms. There is a ramp up to them and they are huge.
Inside each one is a big, adult-size changing table. The Fosters knew that parents would not always have the opportunity to go home to take care of the needs of their kids and wanted to give them the space to do that outside of the home without having to leave the playground.
Bathroom at Brooks’ Playground
Visiting Brooks’ Playground
You can visit the playground near Shelter 6 at Cleveland Park, which is located at Cleveland Park Dr & East Washington in Greenville. If you’re coming from 385, when you turn into Cleveland Park, you need to go past the playground in front of the zoo and stay to the left. There is parking next to the playground.
The address is Cleveland Park Dr & East Washington, Greenville, SC 29601.
Everyone, no matter their ability, should get to play and enjoy all that Greenville, SC has to offer. Sometimes those places are hard to find, so we’ve put together some of the best spots in town and nearby that are fantastic options for families whose children need accessible and inclusive options.
Collectively, these spaces and programs demonstrate Greenville’s dedication to ensuring that no family is left out. From cheering at the arena to exploring museums, enjoying parks, and attending camp, inclusion is being thoughtfully and intentionally integrated into the fabric of the city.
If we missed any spots, don’t hesitate to email us!
TCMU
Accessible Playgrounds
There are several playgrounds in Greenville that have accessible equipment but the brand new Brooks’ Playground will be the city’s first fully inclusive playground, and it opens on Tuesday, September 30th. It’s designed so kids of any and all abilities can climb, swing, and play together.
Indoor Accessible Play Areas and Entertainment Venues
Local entertainment venues have made significant improvements to aid in inclusive and accessible options for all guests.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is an example of someplace that is always seeking to expand its accessibility efforts. An elevator and wheelchair-accessible walkway allow all kids to reach the top of the Climber, and similar to the BSW Arena, sensory bags are available to help children regulate.
“At TCMU, accessibility and inclusion are core to our mission and help guide all aspects of our museum experience exhibits to educational programming and events,” said Lauren Luneckas, CEO of The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. “We’re breaking barriers throughout the museum so children of all abilities can learn, imagine, and belong here.”
TCMU
Families can attend sensory-friendly events like the upcoming Halloween celebration, and on Mondays the museum offers adaptive visits for schools and organizations serving children with disabilities—ensuring a calmer, more controlled environment.
If you’ve ever been to an event at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, you know it can get pretty loud. The arena has an awesome Sensory Suite in Section 105, a space designed to help guests with sensory sensitivities feel comfortable at events. Families who may have skipped a hockey game or concert in the past now have a place where their child can enjoy the excitement without being overwhelmed.
Outfitted with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, softer lighting, and quiet zones, the suite makes it possible for everyone to share the same live experience—without stress. They also offer Sensory Bags (right outside Section 117) that families can borrow during events that include things like fidget toys, headphones, and antiglare glasses.
“The Sensory Suite launched in 2019 after reviewing our offerings for families and while ensuring the Arena’s commitment to inclusiveness and accessibility extended to the fan experience,” said Beth Paul, General Manager. “We believe live events should be a welcoming experience for everyone, and we’re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where people of all abilities, including those with sensory sensitivities, can enjoy music and entertainment in comfort and confidence. Our Sensory Suite provides a space that allows for memorable and special experiences for the entire family to enjoy together.”
Kelly Clarkson played Bon Secours Wellness Arena Saturday, March 30, 2019.
[GWINN DAVIS / for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal]
Additionally, you can purchase Sensory Suite tickets by emailing ticketing@bswarena.com. The Sensory Suite is open for shows that have a 360-stage as well as when the Suite is within sightlines of the show. The price of the Sensory Suite varies from show to show, there is no additional cost for fans to utilize the suite (ticket prices align with the cost of the seats directly under the Suite, in the same Section.)
South Carolina Children’s Theatre
A staple in the community for both families and performers, the SC Children’s Theatre aims to be the most accessible theatre in South Carolina. They designed their new building with that vision in mind and, making sure no physical barriers preventing anyone from taking part in what the theatre offers.
SC Children’s Theatre
“In the past year, we’ve taken significant steps to deepen accessibility across the organization,” said SC Children’s Theatre CEO Katie O’Kelly.
“This includes launching a more accessible website, creating sensory-friendly viewing areas in both of our theatres, and developing new systems to better welcome and support all patrons. These strides were made possible thanks to the generous support of Greenville Women Giving, the Community Foundation of Greenville, Messer Construction Foundation, the South Carolina Arts Commission, and nonprofit partners like AbleSC, who share our commitment to breaking down barriers.”
The theatre has even expanded the role of their Patron Services Manager to also serve as Accessibility Coordinator, meaning that she is in charge of making sure accessibility is worked into every decision, program, and production at the theatre.
The SC Children’s Theatre offers a hearing loop system to make the experience better for guests with hearing aids, helping remove background noise so there is clear sound right in the device. Just ask for it at the Box Office. They also have sign language interpreters and accessible seating available to make sure everyone can enjoy the show.
Dance Without Limits was founded by Beth Bradley, who wanted to create a space that was welcoming to all kids, regardless of ability. But here’s why Beth decided to create a dance studio that focused on including kids of all ages and abilities: she’s the oldest of 18 kids. Fifteen of her siblings are adopted. And her parents specifically adopted children that often had some kind of limitations in their life. DWL has specific classes for special needs students and those with disabilities.
Dance Without Limits
Yellowbobbypins
Longtime readers of Kidding Around will recognize Yellowbobbypins and we are so happy to add them to this list. They offer art classes and camps for ages 2-14 and owner Lauren Runion is such a delight. She said this about their accessibility specifically:
“We love to include children of all abilities in our classes. We do request that a caregiver reach out to find the best class fit for their child and on occasion (or as needed) we ask that an aide stay with the kid depending on the child’s ability level.”
Lauren and her staff love building confidence and joy for children of all ages.
Yellowbobbypins
Accessibility in the Outdoors
There are some fantastic options to visit and explore the outdoors that are accessible to everyone.
YMCA Camp Greenville’s Spectrum & Stargazers Camp
YMCA Camp Greenville’s Spectrum & Stargazers Camp creates a supportive, outdoor adventure family camp tailored to families that include children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental needs. It ensures campers can participate in hiking, stargazing, and camp traditions with the right support while parents know their child is fully included.
Greenville Zoo
This ADA-accessible zoo has teamed up with KultureCity to make visits easier for everyone. Guests can pick up a free sensory kit that includes noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, a “feelings card” to help express emotions, and a lanyard so staff can easily recognize and support visitors with sensory needs.
Dolly Cooper Park Accessible Kayak Launch
The accessible kayak launch at Dolly Cooper Park just outside of Greenville allows boats to enter and exit the water safely. Plus, it’s a really pretty stretch of the river to paddle!
NC Waterfall Tour
Because I just love waterfalls and want everyone to see them, I created this no-hike waterfall tour in North Carolina as a day trip option. I made it because my mother-in-law, who has limited mobility, was visiting and I wanted to do something fun with her and my daughters that involved the outdoors. We all had such an amazing time and since that trip, I’ve added some more places to the route. It’s definitely a day trip from Greenville but an awesome opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature without any hiking.
Caesar’s Head State Park
Caesar’s Head State Park This is one of the prettiest overlooks in Greenville County and it’s accessible via a short walk on a paved trail from the parking area. It’s especially beautiful in the fall – just get there early as it does get crowded. Look for the hawks as they migrate that same time of year.
On an iPhone or iPad, the process is only slightly different. Open System Settings, go to the Accessibility section, then the Display & Text Size section. From here you can tap the Reduce Transparency toggle. Do so and all the various glassy bits of the user interface will become solid.
I recommend changing this setting and seeing how you like it. It’s not a perfect fix, but it disables the most distracting part of Liquid Glass: the constant distorted transparency. I also tested this tweak on an old iPad that was feeling slow after the iPadOS 26 update, and it’s downright snappy now.
A Few Other Suggestions
Reducing transparency really undoes the worst part of Liquid Glass, but you can go a little further. Here are a few more tips.
The Increase Contrast option is in the same menu as Reduce Transparency. Toggling it will put an outline around all the arguably too-subtle edges and outlines throughout the operating system. It makes the interface elements on the screen look outright retro, which some people may not love, but give it a shot if you find it hard to see the edges of things while using your devices.
If you’re finding your older device runs slowly, even with reduced transparency, I recommend also toggling the Reduce Motion setting, which you can find in Accessibility > Motion. Toggle this setting and the various animations used by the operating system will be simplified. This should result in a device that feels faster and more responsive.
Before and after: On the right, you can see the elements on the iPhone’s screen are less transparent, the text is easier to read, and the background is free of visual clutter.
Courtesy of Justin Pot
Finally, on your iPhone, the toolbar in Safari, the default web browser, has been condensed in the latest update. Doing things like seeing all of your tabs now requires multiple taps. You can get the old toolbar back in System Settings by heading to Applications > Safari and scrolling down to the Tab Style section. Tap Bottom or Top, depending on your preferences, and you’ll find the old toolbar back.
Like I said: None of this will give you back the old, pre-Glass operating system you preferred. These tweaks do roll back the worst parts of the changes, though, so give them a shot if you’re annoyed.
MORRISON, Colo. — Red Rocks Amphitheatre hosts hundreds of shows and welcomes more than a million visitors each year, but for many, getting to and from the venue has always been an issue.
“I know it’s just such a pain to drive here,” said Daniel De La Corte, who was tailgating before Friday night’s Atmosphere & Friends concert.
Denver7 has reported on the push to expand public transit to the Jefferson County foothills. Now, a new public transportation option is in the works, and Saturday will mark the first test run.
“I hope that tomorrow is like planting a flag in the ground, that this is coming, that we need people to use it and to participate,” said Ean Thomas Tafoya, the vice president of GreenLatinos.
Denver7
Pictured: Ean Thomas Tafoya
Bringing public transport to Red Rocks is an idea Tafoya has backed for more than a decade.
“This is a solution that, clearly, we need,” Tafoya said.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, shuttle buses will conduct a trial run between the Jefferson County Government Center and Morrison, with stops at Red Rocks, according to Jefferson County.
Check out the shuttle buses’ stops on the map below
Next year, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the plan is to run buses from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
The pilot program will run from 2026 to 2028. It’s paid for by an $840,000 grant from the Regional Transportation District (RTD).
Denver7
Concertgoers walking into Red Rocks Ampitheater for a show
While the service will end before the start of most concerts, Tafoya said the plan is to expand those hours in the future.
“I hear people about being critical,” said Tafoya. “They want the whole tamale all at once, but we’re going to phase it in, and that’s the process.”
Ahead of Saturday’s pilot, several people at Red Rocks told Denver7 they see it as a long-overdue solution.
“Everybody needs access, everybody should have access,” said visitor Adriana Jimenez.
The Follow Up
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This $80 million funding opportunity for organizations across the state builds on the $86 million in capital awards announced by NYSCA earlier this year, including multi-year investments supporting large-scale capital projects that emphasize community development and placemaking.
“New York’s thriving cultural sector attracts global visitors, generates economic opportunity and strengthens our incomparable creativity, which makes us a global epicenter for tourism,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release about the fund.
“Through this transformative grant program, our world-class organizations will be able to develop innovative and sustainable projects that will serve New York residents and visitors for generations to come,” she added.
The program is designed to support arts and cultural nonprofits seeking state funding for capital improvements that enhance cultural programming for diverse audiences, promote accessibility and environmental sustainability, preserve and create jobs and drive growth in New York’s arts and tourism sectors.
“We are deeply grateful to Gov. Hochul for her continued investment in the arts, particularly at a time when cultural funding is being reduced elsewhere,” Lauren Wagner, executive director of Long Island Arts Alliance, told LIBN.
“The arts are a powerful catalyst for economic vitality, fueling local economies, strengthening communities and drawing visitors to our region,” Wagner said. “These grants will enable arts and cultural venues to become more accessible and sustainable, enhancing their ability to connect with audiences and serve as essential destinations for residents and visitors alike.”
Available throughout the state, the fund has three grant categories: Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants, Large Capital Improvement Grants and Capital Design Grants for Arts and Culture.
The Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants offer up to $2 million for construction and equipment projects, prioritizing accessibility, sustainability, artistry and community impact. No-match grants of $10,000–$99,000 are available to organizations with operating budgets under $2 million. Eligible projects align strong design with organizational capacity and community needs to support the future of arts and culture in New York.
Large Capital Improvement Grants are designed to provide grants ranging from $2 million to $10 million to support major capital projects with a total cost of $4 million or more. Covering up to 50 percent of project costs, these grants fund improvements that expand programming, increase accessibility and reach diverse audiences. Applicants must align with the state’s goals for economic development, social equity and public access.
The Capital Design Grants aim to support the development of mid-stage and advanced design documents for arts and cultural nonprofits with operating budgets of $10 million or less across the state that are planning eligible capital improvements and are currently in the early stages of design. Grants will range from $50,000 to $500,000, for a maximum of 50 percent of the design phase’s total cost. No-match grants of $10,000 to $99,000 will also be available for organizations with budgets under $2 million.
The application portal and guidelines for these opportunities are now open, and can be accessed on NYSCA’s website, arts.ny.gov. The deadline to submit completed applications is Jan. 13, 2026.
NYSCA will offer informational webinars and host virtual office hours to provide one-on-one support. Prospective applicants for the large capital grant program are required to consult with NYSCA Capital Projects staff to ensure their projects align with program priorities before applying. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in spring 2026.
“We encourage organizations to attend NYSCA’s upcoming webinar on Sept. 18 to learn more and to see if this funding opportunity is the right fit, and we stand ready to provide guidance as needed,” Wagner said.
BOULDER, Colo. — Boulder County is taking the first major step toward reimagining how residents get around, unveiling plans for its first-ever strategic transit plan and asking the community to weigh in on the future of transportation.
The effort, called “Linking Boulder County,” is a push toward a more coordinated, equitable, and sustainable transit network. That could include the Northwest Rail Line, which would link Denver to Boulder and Longmont.]
For longtime residents like Claudia Hanson Thiem, a board member of the nonprofit Boulder Progressives, current transit options leave much to be desired. Denver7’s Colin Riley spoke with Hanson Thiem at Boulder Junction’s Depot Square Station.
“I live about four miles away from this station, up in north Boulder, and it is actually easier, faster for me, to access this location in Boulder by bike than it is by transit,” Thiem said. “There are places that you can get to in the city of Boulder with transit, but if you need to change buses, for example, you’re looking at long wait times. You’re looking at unreliable service, and that’s the situation that I deal with.”
Thiem, who often advocates for communities that cannot drive or choose not to, fears these populations are too often overlooked.
“I think there’s a real tendency to leave them out. So if you look at our population here in Boulder, and really anywhere in the US, there’s 30% or more people who do not drive at all, right?” she said. “There are a lot of reasons why people are not traveling by private car. And yes, it’s hard to be heard.”
She points out that improving transit is not just about mobility, but also touches on affordability, climate change, and universal access.
“It’s part of climate action, because private car emissions are one of the largest local contributors to greenhouse gases,” Thiem said. “This is an area where we can make a big difference if we can change some transportation behaviors. One of the most important goals that we could have coming out of it is to have a focus on frequent and reliable transit service.”
Boulder County officials say the plan is intended to ensure that “these efforts are happening in a coordinated fashion,” and to work “towards common goals and a shared vision.”
Colin Riley, Denver7
Candidate for Boulder City Council, Jenny Robbins.
Jenny Robbins, a candidate for Boulder City Council and parent of two teenage daughters who regularly ride the bus, is encouraged by the new direction.
“I think it will help the whole community. From a climate perspective, it will help us reach our climate goals with our carbon emission reduction, as well as just be more equitable,” Robbins said. “It allows people to get from place to place where they need to go more efficiently.”
Robbins says the plan must address not only gaps in bus routes, but also work holistically to improve connections for pedestrians, cyclists, bus riders, train passengers, and drivers alike.
“We have to do that on bikes. We have to do that on buses. We have to do that on trains, and we have to do that by being able to walk from place to place,” Robbins said. “If all of these things can connect through our existing trails and our existing infrastructure, I think that would be fantastic. It would help our workers get to work on time. It would help our seniors with their independence. It would help our kids be safer and our students get to and from school.”
Both Thiem and Robbins emphasized the importance of incorporating a diverse range of voices in the planning process.
“Bringing the voices from the community together to talk about it is so important, because if you don’t have that, then you really don’t know what real-life experience is from people,” Robbins said.
Boulder County is currently recruiting members for a community advisory committee to help guide the project. Residents are encouraged to apply and contribute their perspectives to help ensure the new transit network reflects the needs and experiences of everyone who lives and works in the area.
If you are interested in joining the project’s community advisory committee, you have until September 19 to submit an application, which can be found here.
Boulder County seeks public input for first-ever strategic transit plan
Denver7
Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Colin Riley
Denver7’s Colin Riley is a multimedia journalist who tells stories impacting all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in reporting on transportation and our state’s senior population. If you’d like to get in touch with Colin, fill out the form below to send him an email.
The Orlando Museum of Art’s low-vision event series underscored the importance of expanding accessibility programs so that no one is excluded from the full experience of art. Courtesy Orlando Museum of Art and eSight by Gentex Corporation
For at least a decade, if not longer, museums that once acted primarily as stewards of art and artifacts have been tackling thorny challenges related to accessibility. We know how to hoard our treasures; how to share them equitably is something we’re still puzzling out. Economic accessibility is probably the easiest hurdle, even if free admission for all—the obvious and much-debated solution—isn’t the cure-all people assume it to be. But engaging audiences beyond those that museums have, rightly or wrongly, traditionally been designed for is much more difficult.
At least 2.2 billion people globally live with vision impairment, according to the World Health Organization. Approximately 6 million Americans have some degree of vision loss; 1 million have legal blindness. And the visual arts are just that: visual. Sitting at my desk, glasses perched on my nose and wondering if my relatively mild myopia qualifies me as one of the 6 million, I’m embarrassed to admit that I had never considered what an art museum might offer someone on the spectrum of blindness.
As it turns out, institutions have devised many ways to engage visitors with vision impairment and vision loss. Across museums, there are touch-friendly tours that facilitate the tactile exploration of selected works, 3D-printed models of artifacts for handling, increased-illumination days, apps that connect low-vision and blind visitors with people who describe art in real time, audio tours designed specifically for those with vision loss and sensory events that incorporate non-visual elements such as sound or scent into exhibitions. During verbal imaging tours, a visitor can explore the museum with a docent who provides detailed descriptions of artworks and context through conversation.
The Art Institute of Chicago has a dedicated space for non-visual art appreciation, the Elizabeth Morse Touch Gallery, though it includes only a handful of sculptures. In 2021, the Casselberry Sculpture House in Florida staged an entire exhibition, “ReVision,” geared toward people with visual impairment, that invited others to don blindfolds and interact with the art as it was designed to be experienced. “Sight isn’t the only pathway to understand art,” Carol Wilson, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Lunder Education Chair, pointed out in an interview with NPR, and there’s no one accommodation that works for every visitor. Simply describing an artwork to someone who has been blind since birth, for example, can be an empty, if well-meaning, gesture. Some visitors will benefit from magnification technology, others from tactile displays and still others from audio guides. The takeaway is that more is better when it comes to accommodations.
The collaboration between OMA and eSight was inspired, in part, by the experiences of Orlando-based artist Kelly Joy Ladd. Courtesy Orlando Museum of Art and eSight by Gentex Corporation
Very few museums, understandably, have explored technological ways to help those with visual impairments actually see the art. There aren’t many such technologies, and there are many types and degrees of vision loss. Here, too, what works for some won’t work for all. But when assistive technologies do work, the rewards can be profound, Orlando Museum of Art chief curator Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon told Observer. “It’s not just hearing about visitors’ experiences; it’s the reward of knowing people got the chance to experience something most of us take for granted.”
In recent months, OMA has held three “Art for All Eyes” events during which visitors with vision impairment could check out an eSight Go, a wearable assistive device that mitigates central vision loss caused by twenty different conditions, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. “The device projects the image near the eyes, flooding the retinal surface with that image,” Jamie Barendsen, marketing manager for eSight, explained. “For someone with central vision loss, the center part of vision doesn’t work properly, but the peripheral vision is still functional. eSight uses that peripheral vision to send the complete image to the brain, which then synthesizes it. Essentially, it allows the brain to ‘fill in’ what’s blocked.” Combined with magnification, it can also help people with blind spots or occlusions see more fully.
She demonstrated the eSight Go during our conversation. I had expected something like a VR headset; it’s closer to a bulky pair of sunglasses. You’d notice if someone nearby was wearing it, but it wouldn’t be long before your mind tuned it out. “From an art appreciation perspective, it lets the wearer actually see the colors, textures and details of a work, not just its outline or shape,” Barendsen said. “It restores the gift of detail and the ability to fully engage with the world again.” Institutions, she added, are interested in how the eSight Go can support accessibility.
For the museum, the event series was as much about inclusion and dignity as it was about introducing cutting-edge technology into the galleries. Courtesy Orlando Museum of Art and eSight by Gentex Corporation
The collaboration between OMA and eSight was inspired by Orlando-based artist Kelly Joy Ladd. In 2020, she suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her with disrupted vision. During her recovery, she tried visiting the museum’s annual “Florida Prize in Contemporary Art” exhibition, but she couldn’t see the work and left in tears. “I could see, but everything was distorted—my vision shook violently from side to side,” she told Observer. “I’m recovering, and I’m so much better than I was, but during that period, I really struggled with it.”
For the first few months after her injury, all she could do was lie on the couch, close her eyes and meditate. She couldn’t read, watch TV, look at her phone or computer, or even listen to music—it was all too stimulating. Engaging with her art—multi-layered, detailed and highly textured sculptural works made with paper—also proved overwhelming for a long time. “Eventually, I forced myself to start making work again, and it became a kind of vision therapy for me. At first, I could only work for ten minutes at a time, and the process was very slow.”
Eventually, though, she returned to the museum and the “Florida Prize” exhibition, not as a visitor but as one of the ten selected artists. “Contemporary art isn’t about teaching art history in the traditional sense—it’s about engagement, and that means accessibility and representation,” Claeysen-Gleyzon said. “Kelly’s story was so compelling; her experience made us think about what it would mean to enable people to see again.” When the museum’s PR firm heard Ladd’s story, they suggested OMA learn more about eSight’s glasses. “It was a natural fit, both for accessibility and for our goal of being a museum at the forefront of technology.”
According to Barendsen, the company is beginning conversations with institutions about how the glasses could fit into accessibility programs. Claeysen-Gleyzon confirmed that OMA is actively exploring how to make the eSight Go sustainably available to visitors. “It’s a valuable piece of equipment, so there are challenges—cost, maintenance, expertise,” she said. eSight reps attended the low-vision day events, presumably to troubleshoot but also to see what kind of impact the technology would have in a museum setting.
eSight wants to make museum exhibitions more accessible to visitors with vision impairment. Courtesy Orlando Museum of Art and eSight by Gentex Corporation
Or outside it. “The stories are incredible,” Barendsen said. “At the first one, one man’s wife explained he hadn’t seen her face in over ten years. When he put on eSight, he saw her clearly—for him, it wasn’t just about seeing art, it was about seeing his family again. His daughter said he usually stayed home because he couldn’t see, but this opened his world back up.” At the second event, another man with Stargardt disease—the condition that inspired the engineer behind the technology, Conrad Lewis, to create it—tried it. He had been struggling to keep his job, Barendsen explained, reading emails on massive screens with letters blown up 14 inches tall. “He put on eSight, went quiet, and finally said, ‘I don’t believe my eyes.’”
Cognizant that the eSight Go isn’t a fix for every type of vision loss, Ladd also created artworks that visitors at the low-vision days could engage with through touch, adding another layer of accessibility. The Orlando Museum of Art promoted the events through its usual channels, including Lighthouse of Central Florida, a nonprofit that works with people living with vision loss and blindness, though Claeysen-Gleyzon said word-of-mouth played a significant role in their success. “People even reached out to ask whether the glasses would work for their specific conditions,” Claeysen-Gleyzon said. “Clearly, there’s demand for this kind of programming.”
“Just because someone can’t see well doesn’t mean they should lose the ability to experience art,” Barendsen said. “Technology can open those doors.” And when it can’t, meaningful personal encounters can help fill the gap.
“I had a beautiful experience with a little girl who was too small to wear the glasses,” Ladd recounted. “I had samples of my work for people to touch. She and I spent time together, and later her mother told me she went home and started making ‘Kelly art’ by cutting and gluing paper. That was really special.”
The Kind Mind Co.™ aims to bring accessibility back into the act of creativity, breaking down barriers for those with physical impairments or disabilities. The debut collection includes a range of tools with unique design elements—such as T-shaped grips, varied size multi-directional handles, extending tool holders and more. With adjustable positioning and straps, lightweight materials and CVI friendly-high visibility colors—every tool is crafted to expand access to making art.
MORRISVILLE, Pa., December 12, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– The Kind Mind Co.™ is officially launching this December with a mission to make art accessible for everyone. A new initiative from WeVeel®, the new product line is focused on creating adaptive art tools for individuals of all motor skill and developmental abilities.
“We believe that everyone has the right to express themselves,” says Amy Houser-Curley, Global Creative Director at WeVeel®. “We’ve consulted with educational experts, artists, and the education community to design tools that meet real needs. Being mission-driven is at the heart of how we create.”
Part of the WeVeel® family, which includes kids brands like Scentos® and Yay Hooray!™, The Kind Mind Co.™ benefits from over 15 years of design expertise and industry leadership. The new brand also proudly give back to The Bridge School, a special education institution founded by musicians Neil and Pegi Young, Jim Forderer and educational expert Marilyn Buzolich. The Bridge School’s staff provided critical insights during the design process to ensure the products are effective for students and educators.
“At WeVeel, our mission is to spark joy for everyone, and that’s why we’re committed to serving underserved communities,” says Jessica Kubinski, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at WeVeel®. “Creativity is better when it’s inclusive. We want to make sure every person, regardless of ability, can experience the fun, freedom, and confidence that comes with self-expression.”
The launch of The Kind Mind Co.™ was inspired by a conversation between lifelong friends Valerie Marderosian, CEO of WeVeel®, and Bridge School board member Paula Blomquist. They discovered a need for adaptive tools when teachers and parents were using makeshift solutions like tape and plumbing equipment to help students engage with art successfully.
“California holds a special place in my heart,” says Marderosian. “Working with Paula has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m thrilled to see our partnership with The Bridge School lead to meaningful change. We’re excited to be at the forefront of adaptive art tools that can make a difference in people’s lives.”
Paula Blomquist adds, “At The Bridge School, we have been so fortunate to work with some of the best Occupational Therapists and Assistive Technologists. It’s now a dream come true to know that, through WeVeel, their expertise and creativity will reach children worldwide.”
The Kind Mind Co.™ launched on Black Friday (November 29, 2024) and is available on their website, thekindmind.co, on Amazon and through educational distributors School Health and Nasco. Educators, parents, and artists can explore the collection, watch product demonstrations, and join the movement for better access to creative expression for everyone.
ADAIR, Iowa — The blue-and-white highway sign for the eastbound rest stop near here displays more than the standard icon of a person in a wheelchair, indicating facilities are accessible to people who can’t walk. The sign also shows a person standing behind a horizontal rectangle, preparing to perform a task.
The second icon signals that this rest area along Interstate 80 in western Iowa has a bathroom equipped with a full-size changing table, making it an oasis for adults and older children who use diapers because of disabilities.
“It’s a beacon of hope,” said Nancy Baker Curtis, whose 9-year-old son, Charlie, has a disability that can leave him incontinent. “I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re finally there.’”
The white changing table is 6 feet long and can be lowered and raised with a handheld controller wired to an electric motor. When not in use, the table folds up against the wall.
The table was recently installed as part of a national effort to make public bathrooms more accessible in places like airports, parks, arenas and gas stations. Without such options, people with disabilities often wind up being changed on bathroom floors, in cars, or even on the ground outside.
Many families hesitate to go out because of the lack of accessible restrooms.
“We all know somebody who’s tethered to their home by bathroom needs,” Baker Curtis said. She doesn’t want her son’s life to be limited that way. “Charlie deserves to be out in the community.”
A sign outside a bathroom at a rest stop near Pacific Junction, Iowa, designating the presence of an adult-size changing table. Photo by Jenny Pohl.She said the need can be particularly acute when people are traveling in rural areas, where bathroom options are sparse.
Baker Curtis, who lives near Des Moines, leads the Iowa chapter of a national group called “Changing Spaces,” which advocates for adult-size changing tables. The group offers an online map showing scores of locations where they’ve been installed.
Advocates say such tables are not explicitly required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. But a new federal law will mandate them in many airports in coming years, and states can adopt building codes that call for them.
California, for example, requires them in new or renovated auditoriums, arenas, amusement parks and similar facilities with capacities of at least 2,500 people. Ohio requires them in some settings, including large public facilities and highway rest stops. Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota and New Hampshire also have taken steps to require them in some public buildings.
Justin Boatner of Arlington, Virginia, advocates for more full-size changing tables in the Washington, D.C., area. Boatner, 26, uses a wheelchair because of a disability similar to muscular dystrophy. He uses diapers, which he often changes himself.
He can lower an adjustable changing table to the height of his wheelchair, then pull himself onto it. Doing that is much easier and more hygienic than getting down on the floor, changing himself, and then crawling back into the wheelchair, he said.
Boatner said it’s important to talk about incontinence, even though it can be embarrassing. “There’s so much stigma around it,” he said.
He said adult changing tables are still scarce, including in health care facilities, but he’s optimistic that more will be installed. Without them, he sometimes delays changing his diaper for hours until he can get home. That has led to serious rashes, he said. “It’s extremely uncomfortable.”
Iowa legislators in recent years have considered requiring adult changing tables in some public restrooms. They declined to pass such a bill, but the discussion made Iowa Department of Transportation leaders aware of the problem.
“I’m sorry to say, it was one of those things we’d just never thought of,” said Michael Kennerly, director of the department’s design bureau.
A rest stop along Interstate 80 near Adair, Iowa, was one of the state’s first with an adult-size changing table. Without such tables, many travelers who wear diapers wind up being changed on bathroom floors, in cars, or even on the ground. (Tony Leys/KFF Health News)Kennerly oversees planning for rest stops. He recalls an Iowan telling him about changing a family member outside in the rain, with only an umbrella for shelter. Others told him how they changed their loved ones on bathroom floors.
“It was just appalling,” he said.
Iowa began installing adult changing tables in rest stops in 2022, and it has committed to including them in new or remodeled facilities. So far, nine have been installed or are in the process of being added. Nine others are planned, with more to come, Kennerly said. Iowa has 38 rest areas equipped with bathrooms.
Kennerly estimated it costs up to $14,000 to remodel an existing rest-stop bathroom to include a height-adjustable adult changing table. Incorporating adult changing tables into a new rest stop building should cost less than that, he said.
Several organizations offer portable changing tables that can be set up at public events. Some are included in mobile, accessible bathrooms carried on trailers or trucks. Most permanent adult changing tables are set up in “family restrooms,” which have one toilet and are open to people of any gender.
That’s good, because the act of changing an adult is “very intimate and private,” Baker Curtis said. It’s also important for the tables to be height-adjustable because it’s difficult to lift an adult onto a fixed-height table, she said.
Advocates hope adult changing tables will become nearly as common as infant changing tables, which once were rare in public bathrooms.
Jennifer Corcoran, who lives near Dayton, Ohio, has been advocating for adult changing tables for a decade and has seen interest rise in recent years.
The adult-size changing table at a rest stop near Adair, Iowa, is 6 feet long and 32 inches wide. It can be raised and lowered and has a guardrail and safety strap to keep people from rolling off. It folds up to save space. (Tony Leys/KFF Health News)Corcoran’s 24-year-old son, Matthew, was born with brain development issues. He uses a wheelchair and is unable to speak, but he accompanies her when she lobbies for improved services.
Corcoran said Ohio leaders this year designated $4.4 million in federal pandemic relief money to be distributed as grants for changing-table projects. The program has led to installations at Dayton’s airport and art museum, plus libraries and entertainment venues, she said.
Ohio also is adding adult changing tables to rest stops. Corcoran said those tables are priceless because they make it easier for people with disabilities to travel.
“Matthew hasn’t been on a vacation outside of Ohio for more than five years,” she said.
Kaylan Dunlap serves on a committee that has worked to add changing-table requirements to the International Building Code, which state and local officials often use as a model for their rules.
Dunlap, who lives in Alabama, works for an architecture firm and reviews building projects to ensure they comply with access standards. She expects more public agencies and companies will voluntarily install changing tables.
Maybe someday they will be a routine part of public bathrooms, she said. “But I think that’s a long way out in the future, unfortunately.”
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.
In the quickly evolving landscape of AI, education stands at the forefront. New AI tools are emerging daily for educators and students; from AI tutors to curriculum creators, the AI education market is surging.
However, the long-term impact of AI use on students is unknown. As educational AI research tries to keep up with AI development, questions remain surrounding the impact of AI use on student motivation and overall learning. These questions are particularly significant for students of color, who consistently encounter more systemic barriers than their white peers (Frausto et al., 2024).
Emerging in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and related declines in student learning and motivation, AI refers to a broad range of technologies, including tools such as ChatGPT, that use vast data repositories to make decisions and problem-solve. Because the tool can assist with assignments like generating essays from prompts, students quickly integrated these technologies into the classroom. Although educators and administrators were slower to adopt these technologies, they have started using AI both to manage unregulated student usage and to streamline their work with AI-powered grading tools. While the use of AI in education remains controversial, it is clear that it is here to stay and, if anything, is rapidly evolving. The question remains: Can AI enhance students’ motivation and learning?
A recent rapid review of research concluded that students’ motivation is impacted by their experiences in and out of the classroom. The review highlights how student motivation is shaped by more than just individual attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, and traits, but it does not comprehensively address the effects of AI on student motivation (Frausto et al., 2024).
To understand how AI may impact the motivation and learning of students of color, we need to examine the nature of AI itself. AI learns and develops based on preexisting datasets, which often reflect societal biases and racism. This reliance on biased data can lead to skewed and potentially harmful outputs. For example, AI-generated images are prone to perpetuating stereotypes and cliches, such as exclusively generating images of leaders as white men in suits. Similarly, if we were to use AI to generate a leadership curriculum, it would be prone to create content that aligns with this stereotype. Not only does this further enforce the stereotype and subject students to it, but it can create unrelatable content leading students of color to disengage from learning and lose motivation in the course altogether (Frausto et al., 2024).
This is not to say that AI is a unique potential detractor. Discrimination is a persistent factor in the real world that affects students’ motivational and learning experiences, and similar bias has previously been seen in non-AI learning and motivation tools that have been created based on research centering predominantly white, middle-class students (Frausto et al., 2024). If anything, AI only serves as a reflection of the biases that exist within the broader world and education sphere; AI learns from real data, and the biases it perpetuates reflect societal trends. The biases of AI are not mystical; they are very much a mirror of our own. For example, teachers also demonstrate comparable levels of bias to the world around them.
When we think about current AI use in education, these baked-in biases can already be cause for concern. On the student use end, AIs have demonstrated subtle racism in the form of a dialect prejudice: students using African American Vernacular English (AAVE) may find that the AIs they communicate with offer them less favorable recommendations than their peers. For teachers, similar bias may impact the grades AI-powered programs assign students, preferring the phrasing and cultural perspectives used in white students’ essays over those of students of color. These are just a few examples of the biases present in current AI use in education, but they already raise alarms. Similar human-to-human instances of discrimination, such as from teachers and peers, have been linked to decreased motivation and learning in students of color (Frausto et al., 2024). In this way, it seems AI and its biases may be situated to serve as another obstacle that students of color are required to face; AI learning tools and supports that have been designed for and tested on white students to a positive effect may negatively affect students of color due to inbuilt biases.
For humans, we recommend anti-bias practices to overcome these perceptions. With AI, we may yet have an opportunity to incorporate similar bias awareness and anti-discriminatory practices. Such training for AI has been a prominent point in the conversation around responsible AI creation and use for several years, with companies such as Google releasing AI guidelines with an emphasis on addressing bias in AI systems development. Approaching the issue of AI bias with intentionality can help to circumvent discriminative outputs, such as by intentionally selecting large and diverse datasets to train AI from and rigorously testing them with diverse populations to ensure equitable outcomes. However, even after these efforts, AI systems may remain biased toward certain cultures and contexts. Even good intentions to support student learning and motivation with AI may lead to unintended outcomes for underrepresented groups.
While AI-education integration is already occurring rapidly, there is an opportunity to address and understand the potential for bias and discrimination from the outset. Although we cannot be certain of AI’s impact on the motivational and educational outcomes for students of color, research sets a precedent for bias as a detractor. By approaching the implementation of AI in education with intentionality and inclusivity of perspectives, as well as awareness of potential harm, we can try to circumvent the inevitable and instead create an AI-powered learning environment that enhances the learning experiences of all students.
Eliana Whitehouse, EduDream
Eliana Whitehouse is a macro social worker with experience in supporting community-based initiatives and research throughout the lifespan. Currently, she is a Research and Evaluation Associate at EduDream, a Latina-founded, women-owned education research consulting firm.
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My first encounter with Elehear, an over-the-counter hearing aid brand, earlier this year was positive. The company’s Alpha Pro hearing aids are traditional behind-the-ear devices designed for users with mild hearing loss. They come with an online audiologist session to help new users get up to speed and a “remote sound” feature that lets you drop your phone in front of an audio source and have it piped directly to the hearing aids. At $459, they’re solidly priced and were good enough to earn a runner-up spot on my Best Hearing Aids guide.
Now the company is back with a follow-up: the Elehear Beyond. Outfitted with a larger operational frequency range, better noise cancelation, and a tinnitus mode, on paper the Beyond aids look like everything you get with the Alpha Pro and more. Unfortunately, as I discovered after a few weeks of testing, more doesn’t always mean better.
Photograph: Christopher Null
Let’s start with the hardware because it’s a big change, and I mean that literally. Elehear’s Alpha Pro hearing aids, weighing about 4 grams, aren’t exactly tiny, but the Beyond aids are even bigger. At 4.75 grams each, they’re nearly double the weight of Jabra’s 2.56-gram Enhance Select 500 aids, though both have a traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) design. I was taken aback by the size from the moment I unboxed them, and even more so after I looked in the mirror. There’s no hiding these gargantuan teardrops—they caused my ears to visibly stick out from the side of my head.
But let’s say you’re not as vain as me. What about the audio quality? Here, the Beyond aids didn’t overly impress me either. From the moment I put them on, these hearing aids exhibited a noticeable level of background noise, audible even at fairly low amplification levels. It’s better described as closer to a rattle than a hiss, a bit like an old desk fan nearby that’s grinding on bare metal as it spins.
All 10 members of the MTA board approved the proposal on Sept. 25, which includes purchasing new railcars across the subway and commuter rail systems; building at least 60 subway stations and six commuter rail stations; investing in signal modernization and fare gates; making critical structure repairs; and boosting station environments.
The plan now heads to the State Capital Program Review Board on Oct. 1, as required by New York’s Public Authorities Law.
But that is only half the battle for the MTA; the other half comes in the form of funding. Hochul halted congestion pricing, which aims to reap $1 billion in funding every year for the MTA through tolls from drivers entering Manhattan, just weeks before it was scheduled to start on June 30.
A taxi passes under an unused congestion pricing gantry.File Photo by Dean Moses
Hochul’s decision immediately threw the MTA’s capital plans into uncertainty and blew open a $15 billion hole that needed to be filled. Despite the governor’s promises that alternative funding would be found, no such plans have yet been proposed from Albany.
MTA Chief Financial Officer Kevin Willens said last week that the authority would propose issuing $10 billion in MTA-issued bonds to help fund the 2025-2029 Capital Plan. He also said the MTA expects to receive around $21 billion from federal funding and state and city bonds but noted that the agency has not yet put forward specific numbers because funding sources have not been approved.
Even so, Willens added, the MTA is not proposing a complete funding package in the plan; rather, the agency was focusing on the projects and requirements it needs to address over the next five years.
Willens said there is currently a deficit of around $33 billion and acknowledged that the remainder of the funding sources need to be identified.
The MTA quoted a JP Morgan analysis that stated that annual capital expenditures ranging between $16 billion and $23 billion were required if the MTA was to match comparable peers. A separate independent review from the Office of the New York State Comptroller estimated that the total capital needed for the 2025-2029 plan ranged between $57.8 billion and $92.2 billion.
