I’ve always loved The Wizard of Oz movie (flying monkeys notwithstanding), and I’ve seen Wicked, the musical prequel about the unlikely friendship between Glinda/Galinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, several times on stage. But I’ve always felt conflicted about Wicked because of how Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose, is portrayed. She’s…
Commentary: Will New ‘Wicked’ Movie Defy Wheelchair Stereotypes?
Abilities Expo Announces 2025 Dates, Venues
The first 2025 show will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in March.
As the final 2024 stop on the national Abilities Expo tour approaches — Dec. 6-8 in Dallas — the consumer show series has released its 2025 schedule of dates and venues. The 2025 schedule kicks off at the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 7-9. That event is followed by the New York Metro Abilities…
Briefly: CMS Adds Inclusion Body Myositis to Seating Consideration List; Nonprofit Debuts Caregiver Website
Featuring NCART, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and I AM ALS.
CMS Adds Inclusion Body Myositis ICD-10 Code for Seating Considerations The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) has reported that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has added the ICD-10 code for inclusion body myositis (G72.41) to the Group 2 and Group 4 lists for consideration for a skin protection and/or…
Commentary: 3 Takeaways from the DOT’s $50 Million American Airlines Fine
Why this historic penalty could change the way airlines treat wheelchair riders and their equipment.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined American Airlines $50 million, saying in an October announcement that the carrier “failed to provide safe, dignified, and prompt wheelchair assistance and mishandled passengers’ wheelchairs.” This is hardly the first time airlines’ poor treatment of wheelchair riders and their equipment has made the news. But this particular DOT…
American Airlines Fined $50 Million for Mistreating Wheelchair Riders, Mobility Devices
Department of Transportation fine is the largest penalty assessed against an airline for violating disability regulations.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined American Airlines $50 million for mistreating passengers using wheelchairs, and for mishandling those passengers’ wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. The DOT made the announcement in late October and noted that the fine “is 25 times larger than any previous DOT penalty against an airline for violating disability…
Briefly: Hibbs Receives ASCIP Award; New Disney Film Stars Young Actress with CP
Featuring the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and Disney+.
University of Pittsburgh’s Rachel Hibbs Receives ASCIP Excellence Award Rachel M. Hibbs, DPT, NCS, ATP, received the Excellence Award from the Therapy Leadership Council at the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (ASCIP) annual conference. The award is given to a member “who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership in the clinical application of SCI/D…
Briefly: United Spinal Offering Grants for Wheelchair Users; NSM Sponsors Pilgrimage Music Festival
Featuring United Spinal Association and National Seating & Mobility.
United Spinal Mini Grants Available for Wheelchair Riders Affected by Disasters United Spinal Association is accepting disaster-relief grant applications from wheelchair riders who have been impacted this year by disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires or floods. To qualify for the grants, which are provided by the Neilsen Foundation, applicants must have spinal cord injuries or…
Briefly: Senate Companion Bill to H.R. 5371 Expected Soon; Paris Closes Paralympics Games
Featuring AAHomecare, Medtrade, and the International Paralympic Committee.
Report: Sen. Marsha Blackburn to Introduce Ultralightweight Upgrade Bill Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is preparing to introduce a Senate bill “that would restore access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries and for individuals covered by plans that follow Medicare policy and coding,” according to a report from the American Association for Homecare…
Briefly: Paralympians in Paris; AI Robot on Sidewalk Patrol
Featuring the 2024 Paralympic Games and Daxbot.
2024 Paralympics Get Underway The summer Paralympic Games are underway in Paris, where hundreds of elite athletes with disabilities will compete in 22 sports. Access Mobility Management’s Paralympics primer for information on how to view the Games and when your favorite sports will be contested. Competition continues through Sept. 8. Dax the Robot Looks for…
Briefly: Colin Farrell Launches a Foundation; CP Foundation Updates Research Study Opportunities
Featuring the Colin Farrell Foundation and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
Actor Colin Farrell Launches Foundation to Support Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Irish actor Colin Farrell has launched the Colin Farrell Foundation, “committed to transforming the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual disability through education, awareness, advocacy and innovative programs.” In an Aug. 7 announcement, the Oscar-nominated actor launched his foundation’s website, which noted…