In an article posted on the New York Times, those that use headphones or ear buds (inner-ear headphones) develop hearing loss by their mid-twenties. Though the article cites that we live in a noisy world with power tools, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, movie theatres, etc. there are preventative measures that can be taken such as wearing ear plug-type devices when around those types of activities.

Toys that meet the safety standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials can produce sound up to 138 decibels, as loud as a jet taking off. Yet workplace rules require hearing protection for those exposed to noise above 85 decibels.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says 110 decibels can produce hearing damage after just 1 minute, 29 seconds of exposure. The League for the Hard of Hearing cautions that “noise levels above 85 decibels will harm hearing over time” and that levels above 140 decibels - the pain threshold - can damage hearing after just one exposure.

The article also mentions that even ear phones that produce noise by conducting it through the skull may not solve the problem and once the receptors inside the ears are damaged, they can never be replaced. Enduring this kind of damage can make it harder hearing higher-pitched noises such as children or even women.

Read the whole story here: All That Noise is Damaging Children’s Hearing

In a story out of Malaysia, the Society of the Blind held a press conference on how to interview those with visual impairments. The focus of the conference was to raise awareness for employers, employees and providing proper contact information to the relevant organizations. According to Dr. Wong Huey Siew, 1% of the public sector employment must be allocated to people with visual impairments to ensure they have equal employment opportunities.

“Many people do not know how to interact with disabled people. At an interview, it’s wrong for interviewers to keep quiet just because they have no experience in interacting with PWDs,” said Wong.

“Get to know the candidate. Some interviewers tend to focus on the interviewee’s disabilities instead of their capabilities and strengths. They should access the candidate’s skills, motivation level, past working experiences as well as ask them how they can contribute to the company,” he said in the interview at the society’s headquarters in Brickfields, KL.

Read the whole story here: Don’t turn a blind eye to them

In a related story, this was also posted:  Working beyond their limitations

For the past decade and a half, the Center for Enriched Living has gathered on the weekend prior to Thanksgiving Day in order to prepare a meal.  Not only do people get to hone their kitchen skills, but also to allow those with physical disabilities to participate in something like stirring cranberries on a stove.

“It’s become very well-loved tradition around here,” explains Randi Frank, director of development for the center, which serves people with developmental disabilities.

But there is more to it than that. The best part, according to Frank, is spending time together and sitting down to break bread with friends. For some of the older members of the center, it’s the only chance they have to do so.

Read the full story here and look at a few pictures:  Giving thanks, with friends

iRun Magazine has recently named Alex Bain as Canada’s most inspirational runner, not because he’s 20 years old, but because he was diagnosed as autistic at age three. Being diagnosed with autism is not the sole reason for his recognition, rather that he runs for autism awareness. In preparation for his most recent marathon, Bain ran 20k-25k per day, running from tip to tip of Prince Edward Island.

Today, a huge part of Alex’s motivation each time he laces up his shoes is to promote awareness about autism – and the fact that he, and many others like him, wish for acceptance, not a cure. “Autism makes me different from my friends,” says Bain. “That’s OK.” As his trademark yellow race t-shirt spells out, Bain is “Running For Autism, Not Against It.”

Read the whole iRun Magazine article here: iRun for Autism Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion

Citizens of Topeka got the chance to learn about Americans with disabilities today. The Disability Media Initiative came to Topeka to display the “It’s Our Story Flag” outside of the Washburn University Memorial Union.

The 12 by 19 foot flag is made up of more than 740 Story Sticks. Each stick has a picture of an American with a disability and coincides with a video interview of that person.

The Disability Media Initiative is traveling across the United States.

View the video of this story posted here:  Traveling Flag Teaches About Disabilities

An unlikely source of therapy for kids with disabilities in Illinois, a horse which was bred for racing but was brought to an abrupt end when the horse suffered a debilitating accident.  Donated by a local resident thinking it might help the children of Camp New Hope, Nala will start making appearances in January 2009.

Sessions with Nala can help people with disabilities improve their self-esteem, emotional control and balance, as well as offer other benefits, Walk said. A first step for the Camp New Hope participants is making friends with the horse.

Read the whole story here:  Horse therapy set for area kids with developmental disabilities

The Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment is seeking information about concerns affecting the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families in the Kelso/Longview area, according to a press release from the committee. The group also is interested in learning about positive changes and success stories in the community.

The building is accessible and transportation from the meeting will be provided by CUBS.

Life and work issues faced by people with disabilities will be discussed from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Cowlitz PUD auditorium, 961 12th Ave., Longview.

The whole article with contact information about the meeting can be found here:  State panel to hold discussion on living with disabilities

Some Long Island Rail Road workers both retired and disabled are using passes to play golf for free in state owned parks. The Access Pass program was developed to ensure free access to state managed parks to those with permanent disabilities.

Between 1978 and 1980 New York passed into law regulations allowing for free access to golf courses and state parks for those unable to walk, blind, amputees, disabled veterans, deaf, requiring walkers or prosthetics and those fully disabled according to the Social Security Administration. Though the state has issued around 50,000 passes, only 215 are held by rail road workers; about 50 of those played on a course ranging from $24-$29 per round more than five times per month.

Read the whole article here: L.I.R.R Retirees’ Free Golf Not Justified, State Says (registration may be required)

Partners in advocacy, Maryland State Youth Soccer Association and Special Olympics Montgomery County sought to teach kids with disabilities soccer. With athletes with disabilities ranging from muscular dystrophy to down syndrome, play soccer and gain self-confidence.

U.S. Youth Soccer had been developing the TOPSoccer, or The Outreach Program for Soccer, a national program geared at children with disabilities organized by youth soccer association volunteers in individual communities. “It was the perfect storm,” said Yerg, who began the TOPSoccer program in Montgomery County, currently the only TOPSoccer program in the state.

Playing soccer boosts confidence as well as psychical ability for participants, according to Pamela Yerg, area director for Special Olympics Montgomery County. But for many, getting the chance to play after sitting on the sidelines watching their brothers and sisters is the real benefit, Yerg said.

Read the whole article here: Program teaches soccer skills for kids with developmental disabilities.

In a letter to the editor of the New Jersey Independent Press, it is noted that 221 golfers showed up at Royce Brook Golf Club to raise $44,000.  Over the course of its life the Drive for Autism Foundation has raised more than a quarter of a million for autism.

Proceeds from the previous events have benefited the Crossroads School of Westfield, the Morris Union Jointure Commission in New Providence, the Union County Education Services Foundation in Westfield, the Mother Francheska Elementary School and the Eden II programs in Staten Island, NY, and The Children’s Institute in Verona.

The whole letter to the editor can be found here:  Letter to the Editor - Golfers raise $44K for autism

More information about the Drive for Autism Foundation can be found here:  http://www.driveforautism.org/

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