Parenting with a Disability
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Dear Friends:
I know from the letters
I receive that many of us are parents with disabilities
or parents-to-be with disabilities. Parenting is a
tough job in the first place, so having a disability
to boot can be very tough going. Some of us are ambivalent
about even getting started, while others take a pass
altogether. Don't be intimidated. People with disabilities
are used to doing things differently—parenting
is just another type of challenge to tackle.
However, if you are
a parent with a physical or mental disability or thinking
of starting a family, let the following special groups
lend their help and support. Help is out there. (Some
organizations also offer support for children with
disabilities.)
I encourage you to continue
searching for resources in your area. Look for publications.
Many organizations support the needs of children with
disabilities and when these children grow up, they
start families! My very best wishes to you and your
loved ones.
If you have any consumer inquiries
regarding disability or assistive technology resources,
we can help you locate solutions. Please indicate
whether or not we have your permission to print your
inquiry on the Internet.
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Through the Looking
Glass
http://www.lookingglass.org
Through the Looking Glass has pioneered clinical and supportive
services, training and research serving families in which
one or more members-whether parent or child-has any type
of disability or medical issue. TLG also has diverse publications
on parenting-related topics you may order.
Exceptional
Parent Magazine
http://www.eparent.com
Web site for EP magazine EP provides information, support,
ideas, encouragement and outreach for parents and families
of children with disabilities and the professionals who
work with them.
Family Resource Center
on Disabilities
http://www.ameritech.net/users/frcdptiil/index.html
Advocacy and resources for the entire family.
Equipment
Unfortunately, there are very few places selling adaptive
baby gear (see the companies below). So, parents are encouraged
to make their own adapted equipment or find new ways to
use ready-made baby equipment. Through the Looking Glass
and Disabled Parents Online offer many creative ideas (See
the first two resources above.)
Flaghouse
http://www.flaghouse.com
Offers five separate catalogs of adaptive equipment. Order
the one that's appropriate for you.
Hard Manufacturing
Co., Inc.
http://www.hardmfg.com
Pediatric furniture, hospital cribs and youth/age appropriate
beds. Call Hard Manufacturing for brochures describing their
whole line of safe, accommodating, and convenient age-appropriate
beds and cribs. Beds have hi/lo adjustment, standard or
custom sizes, and attain all orthopedic and comfort positions.
Styles come in a rainbow of colors,, epoxy finishes, and
laminate colors.
Kidability
http://www.kidability.com/
Adaptive clothes, toys and baby equipment
The Boulevard
http://www.blvd.com/
Links to manufacturers of all types of adaptive equipment,
including pediatric equipment-an ideal resource to bookmark
for future use.
Pip Squeakers
http://www.pipsqueakers.com/
Here's an interesting
idea - squeaky shoes for babies and toddlers. Pip
Squeakers baby shoes are an aid for BVI parents & BVI
babies. Parents can hear henever baby is on the move, always
knowing baby is close-by and safe. Baby shoes softly squeak
as each foot touches down, providing a parenting aid that
promotes safety and a baby product that encourages first
steps.
Innovative Crib Design
http://www.innovativecribdesigns.com
Adaptive crib producers offer a safe opening through the headboard, allowing easier access for a parent seated in a wheelchair. Company also accepts custom orders for adaptive crib design.
National Parent Information Network
http://www.npin.org
Nat’l Respite Locator
http://www.chtop.com
Pacer Center
http://www.pacer.org
Parents Helping Parents
http://www.php.com
Publications
Adaptive Baby Care
Equipment: Guidelines, Prototypes & Resources. This
2000 publication, a revised and expanded edition of the
1995 Adaptive Parenting Equipment: Idea Book, presents creative
solutions, including adaptive equipment and commercially
available products. The cost is $30 or $15 for low-income
families. An 86-page soft-cover book by Kris Vensand, et
al. Order from Through the Looking Glass, http://www.lookingglass.org.
Fun to Grow On:
Engaging Play Activities
for Kids with Teachers, Parents and Grandparents
The unlimited play activities in this book create enjoyment,
sharing, and spontaneity and presents playful ways to really
connect with children. No need to have special toys, all
that is needed is yourselves and/or household items like
cotton balls for cotton ball table-tennis or shaving cream
for drawing on tabletops. Activities are easy and straightforward-flip
through quickly to find one activity or a whole play session.
Activities are appropriate for home, classroom, and therapeutic
settings; grouped into simple categories, such as active,
eating, dressing, messy, cooperation, musical, etc.: ISBN:
1-890374-01-6. Available through Magnolia Street Publishers
1(773) 561-2121 or at http://www.amazon.com
Please also see Infinitec's
Parent Organizations page:
http://www.infinitec.org/totalresource/general/parents.htm
