My ADA Anniversary Wish List This has been an unprecedented year for the disability community. As we celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we can reflect on many events that highlight the accomplishments and power of individuals with disabilities. Occurrences such as the film, “Crip Camp,” being nominated for …
Enough With Adding Another Label
This month Audacitymagazine.com celebrates its 17th year as the online lifestyle magazine for physically disabled people. AudacityMagazine.com has one birthday request from society. Stop giving us another label, especially the ones that demean us. Labels are becoming fashionable in our current society. I don’t mean Fendi or Chanel. Did you …
Disabled Artists are Audaciously Creative
Gustav Klimt said “art is a line around your thoughts.” Art is always about expression, about putting a line around your thoughts, but even more so when the artists are disabled. Whether it’s painting or performance or writing, it’s all about projecting your personality and ideals into the world, which …
Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Married
In the Facebook group for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta community, people from all over the world ask if marriage is possible. Personally, I don’t know why that’s a question but I knew I could help answer that question by asking those who are married. Here is the story of three Osteogenesis …
How Accessible and Inclusive is Clubhouse?
As a hard-of-hearing person, apps like Clubhouse are frustrating and exclude people like me by default. Let’s take a closer look at Clubhouse and its accessibility options. What is Clubhouse? Clubhouse is a social networking app that functions largely around speech and hearing. It’s labeled as ‘drop-in voice chat’ and …
Mentors. Be One. Get One.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and Wishbone Day. It’s only fitting that I write about these two topics under mentors. First, I am a veteran middle school teacher in Miami, Florida. So thank you to all the teachers! Wishbone Day is to bring awareness and I like to add …
With Hope in Your Heart
In the pre-ADA era, while struggling for inclusion and putting forth an unending effort, a leader in her own quiet way took on the system with no help from anyone beyond her immediate family and friends. She had cerebral palsy and dyslexia, and was in for the fight of her …
Lessons Learned Living with Covid
If you are a person with a physical disability who is also considered high risk for surviving Covid, then you are like me. Living with the Covid threat for one year is like waiting for the longest doctor prognosis ever. You see, during the day, I am not your Diva …
Disabled Dating Dynamics
Dating, for anyone, in today’s world can be awkward and confusing. First there’s trying to meet new people. Where exactly do single men in their 30s and 40s spend their free time? Then you have to decide what you really want in a potential partner or relationship. Once you’ve figured …