Disabilities...+not+holding+quadriplegics+back!

**by Martha Brisson Miller ** In today’s technological world, it is a widely accepted assumption that most everyone has access to the internet and uses Web 2.0. People all around the world use Web 2.0 in everyday tasks such as shopping, finding information, filing forms, making appointments and paying bills, just to name a few. However, when disabilities stand in the way, using Web 2.0 can be a frustrating, difficult task. Dr. Glen J. House, a quadriplegic and physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, knows firsthand how difficult using Web 2.0 can be for people with physical disabilities. Therefore, he created disboom.com in order for people with disabilities to find support, share their stories and realize that they are not alone in their struggles. This is the first collaborative, evolving source of information that provides personal engagement for the disability community. His goal is to encourage people with disabilities not to be defined by their disability (House). Assistive technologies have improved considerably over the last few years. So much in fact, that a quadriplegic man was able to launch his own clothing line via Web 2.0. Giesbert Nijhuis from Amsterdam was injured in an accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down at age 26. Instead of giving up hope, Giesbert got to work. With his Mac, [|AssistiveWare's] KeyStrokes on-screen keyboard, a [|HeadMouse Extreme] and Photoshop, Nijhuis draws with his head. He designs movie posters, birth announcements, CD covers, and now apparel. Check out the [|Head Designed store] to see his magnificent ‘head designed’ creations (Dahlquist). It truly is amazing how new technologies are helping people with disabilities overcome the barriers that once kept them from really experiencing the Web 2.0 phenomenon! Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act provides guidelines for making federal websites accessible to people with disabilities. All federal websites must be compliant, however, many are not and it is hard to enforce and monitor with the astronomical amount of websites (Swire). Wouldn’t it be GREAT if all Web 2.0 applications were accessible for all to use to its fullest potential?; even with disabilities. With assistive technologies emerging each day, it is very possible that people with disabilities can use Web 2.0 with ease. Assistive technology devices can be purchased on line at various sites, such as [] which can enhance people with disabilities Web 2.o experience for the better! **Resources ** Dahlquist, David. "Quadriplegic Mac User Launches Apparel Line - CIO.com." //CIO.com//. 17 Dec. 2008. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. . House, Dr. Glen J. Living With a Disability | Disability Information & Resources - Disaboom. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. . Swire, Peter. "Six New Media Challenges." Legal and Policy Considerations for Federal Use. Center for American Progress, May 2009. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Disabilities… Not holding back the quadriplegics! **