Community Curbcuts for People with Aphasia

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS

AN ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT Developed by People with Aphasia and

Their Families, Friends and Staff for People with Physical and/or

Communication Difficulties

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS“Community Curbcuts” is a project developed by the Aphasia Support

Group at The College of St. Rose with the main goal of identifying places,

resources and products in the community that are accessible for

people with physical or communication difficulties that result

from a stroke or other neurological impairment.

COMMUNITY CURBCUTSCOMMUNITY BARRIERS

Members of the Aphasia Support Group track their successful and unsuccessful communication and physical experiences as they go about their daily routines in the

community.

During weekly group meetings,

members report on encounters with places, resources or products

that have

either facilitated their success in the community or presented a

significant barrier to their participation in the community.

COMMUNITY CURBCUTSCOMMUNITY BARRIERS

INDEX

WHAT IS APHASIA?………………..……….6

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS…………………..6

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INDEX

PLACES………………………….7

EXERCISE…………………………………8-9

RESTAURANTS……………..…………10-15

SHOPPING…………………………………15-17

SPORTS…………………………………….18-19

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INDEX RESOURCES……………….20

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY…….20-21

ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT..…………..22

TECHNIQUES…………………..23-27

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RESOURCES (con’t)

TRAVEL…………………………..28-30

ENTERTAINMENT…………………30-32

PRODUCTS……………………… 32-35

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES..36-39

INDEXQuickTime™ and a decompressor

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INDEX COMMUNITY BARRIERS………….40

COMMUNICATION BARRIERS………………….41-42

PHYSICAL BARRIERS..………………………………42-47

RESTAURANTS…………………..43-47

SHOPPING………………………………………..47-49

ENTERTAINMENT………………………49-50

PRODUCTS……………………………...51

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INDEX

SAMPLES OF PICTURE SUPPORTS……………..51-56

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WHAT IS APHASIA?Aphasia is an acquired communication

disorder that impairs a person's ability to process language, but does not affect intelligence.

Aphasia impairs the ability to speak and understand others, and most people with aphasia experience difficulty reading and writing.

-The National Aphasia Association

www.aphasia.org

ACCESSIBLE

PLACES, RESOURCES AND PRODUCTS FOR

PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL

OR COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES

IN THE CAPITAL REGION OF NYS

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS

&

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS

PLACES

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS: PlacesEXERCISE

Gold’s Gym

– Staff was observed to be very accommodating and supportive of an individual with communication difficulties

480 Balltown Road

Niskayuna, NY

(518) 370-1500

YMCA

• East Greenbush, Guilderland and Clifton Park

East Greenbush location has asked Sr. Char to speak to staff about how to support individuals with aphasia

20 Community Way,

East Greenbush, NY

(518) 477-2570

www.cdymca.org/branches

Center for Disability Services

– The center has an accessible swimming pool for individuals with disabilities and staff that can assist people in the pool

314 S Manning Blvd,

Albany NY 12208

Vita Train for Life

• Allie Capo-Burdick, fitness trainer, was helpful in communicating information to group members about health and fitness through the use of Aphasia-friendly materials that include:– Prepared questions– Simple words– Picture supports– Individualized plans*see attached*

While her training studio is located in Vernon, CT, Allie is happy to answer

health and fitness questions and provide information in a manner that is

aphasia-friendly.

(860) 478-6006www.vitatrain4life.com

ADAPTIVE ARCHITECTURE

• http://www.adaparch.com/location.html

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS: PlacesRESTAURANTS

Dunkin’ Donuts

Employee took the time to listen and understand the order

Route 7 to Schenectady

1-800-859-5339

Breugger’s Bagels

• Physically accessible

55 Congress Street

Troy, NY

(518) 274-4469

OLD CHICAGO

Upon request, staff will modify

food to any consistency to

meet dietary needs.

111 Wolf RoadAlbany, NY 12205

518 435 8007

The Cheesecake Factory

• Colonie Center

• Accessible, but difficult

(518) 453-2500

Lakeview Restaurant

• Physically Accessible

6 Winners Circle

Albany, NY 12205

(518) 459-7152

McGreevy’s Restaurant

• They do have a ramp, but patrons have to make a request for direct access into the restaurant

Waterford, NY

BFS Restaurant

Large restrooms

1736 Western Ave

(518) 452-6342

Albany, NY

El Mariachi Restaurant

• Physically accessible

Albany, NY

144 Washington Ave

(518) 465-2568

Latham 76 Diner

• Physically Accessible

722 New Loudon Rd.,

Latham NY 12110

(518) 785-3793

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS: PlacesSHOPPING

RADIO SHACK

A Salesperson was helpful and

responsive when a member

used her alphabet sheet to spell

the word “tape recorder”

(518) 456-3652

Family Shoe Store

• Accessible

• Staff is very helpful

and accommodating

Marra’s Pharmacy

• Staff is very helpful and accommodating

• Reasonable prices

217 Remsen St., Cohoes NY 12047(518) 237-2110

Delmar Bootery

– Specializes in special

occasion shoes

– Size shoes around braces

Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany NY 12203

(518) 438-1717

www.delmarbootery.com

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS: PlacesSPORTS

Joe Bruno Stadium • Tri-City ValleyCats: Minor league baseball

• Good accessibility

• Helpful staff

80 Vandenburgh Avenue

Troy, NY 12180

www.tcvalleycats.com

Pittsburgh Pirates Stadium

• Very accommodating when

you call ahead

115 Federal Street,

Pittsburgh, PA

1-800-289-2827

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS

RESOURCES

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS: Resources

Assistive Technology

Northeast Association of the Blind

Provides free assistive computer equipment

such as enlarged keyboards for computers for

anyone with visual impairment.

301 Washington Ave,

Albany NY 12206

518-463-1211

REGIONAL TRAID CENTERSTechnology Related Assistance For Individuals with Disabilities

 Provides a comprehensive system of access to assistive technology by

persons with disabilities. Services are available to persons with disabilities of all ages, their families, service providers, employers, educators, employers, and others who are interested in disability issues or assistive technology.  Services include an assistive technology and equipment loan center.

Capital Region TRAID Center:Tammy Whitt (Director)Southern Adirondack ILC (SAIL)

71 Glenwood Avenue Queensbury , NY 12804 518-792-3537 Voice 518-792-0505 TTY 518-792-0979 Fax [email protected]

For a list of all TRAID centers in New York State:http://www.nstraid.com/Region.html

MILLVIEW COMPUTER EXCHANGE PROGRAM• Robert Dawson, a Brain Injury survivor, developed a computer exchange program to help people obtain free computer parts.

• He also collects donated computer parts to be distributed to people in need.

To donate or request computer parts

call Robert during business hours at

518-235-3744

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS: Resources

Adaptive Equipmentfor Recreation

FISHING HAS NO BOUNDARIES

A non-profit organization that

allows individuals with disabilities

the opportunity to go on fishing trips

Provides individuals with disabilities adaptive fishing equipment

Belvedere of Albany sponsors a local chapter

of FHNB518 694-9400

Contact Chris Albee for information

www.fhnbinc.org

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS: Resources

Adaptive Techniques for Independence

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

• Allows someone to tie their own shoe with one hand

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

STEP 1: One side of the lace

is laced through the shoe and

the other is pulled down the

middle and knotted.

This side of the lace will be

tucked into the shoe.

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

STEP 2:

Begin by pulling

the larger lace to

tighten the shoe lace.

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

Step 3:

Tuck the larger lace

under the first loop

of the shoe.

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

Step 4:Pull the lace to make a large loop.

Step 5: Take the

end of the lace and

tie it around the loop.

Then take the end

and pull it through

the loop.

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

Step 6: Pull the

lace to tighten

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

STEP 7: Take the

end of the lace and

tuck it into the knot.

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

ONE-HANDED SHOE TIE TECHNIQUE

STEP 8: Pull the end

through to make a

bow and then tighten.

COMMUNITY CURBCUTSTRAVEL

Wheelchair Getaways of New Mexico

• Accessible Van Rentals

Albuquerque, NM

1-800-408-2626

www.wheelchairgetaways.com

Mobility Works– Has minivans that are wheelchair accessible

to rent for travel– Minivan can fit 2 wheelchairs and 4-5 mobile

passengers

www.accessiblevans.com

(518) 346-9059

MASS Turnpike Rest Stops

• Many rest stops look to be recently renovated, • Has wide doorways, • Easily accessible, • Spacious bathrooms,• Assistance button low

on gas pump

Blandford Rest Area

JOHN DILLON PARKThe park provides individuals

with an accessible opportunity

to enjoy a restful camping

adventure in the beautiful,

natural landscape of the

Adirondacks (photo from John Dillon Park website)

2150 Tupper Rd, Long Lake NY

www.johndillonpark.org

COMMUNITY CURBCUTSENTERTAINMENT

Tang Museum Skidmore College Very physically accessible,

from the parking lot, to

elevators to the

restrooms

Plenty of room to

view the exhibits

815 North Broadway

Saratoga, NY

(518) 580-8080

www.tang.skidmore.edu

THE CLARK MUSEUM • Good parking,

• elevator,

• accessible restrooms

• Wonderful art

225 South Street Williamstown, MA

413.458.2303 www.clarkart.edu

Free admission Nov1-May 31

$12.50/adult

TANGLEWOOD

• Wheelchair accessible

• Staff very helpful and accommodating

• Limited accessible parking which makes it difficult to get to the entrance

1-800-833-8193 Lenox, MA

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS

PRODUCTS

ONE-HANDED MIXING BOWL AND STAND

• Allows for one-handed

mixing and pouring

KRUPS CAN OPENER

Allows for one-handed can opening

ADAPTED CUTTING BOARDS

• Allows for one-handed cutting

• Spikes and adjustable walls hold food steady for cutting

• Suction cups keep the cutting board from sliding

ROCKER KNIFE

• A rocker knife allows for one-handed cutting

Premier Assistive: Scan & Read ProSoftware

• Allows all written documents to be scanned into a computer so that they can be read aloud

• A group member stated that this is good for bills, mail, books, newspaper articles

13102 Blaisdell Dr., DeWitt MI 48820 (517) 668-8188

www.readingmadeeasy.com

COG-LINKE-mail program designed by a Speech-Language Pathologist and aComputer Programmer

Intended for people with communication or cognitive difficulties

$10.00 per month

Useful for keeping in touch with family & friends

To arrange for a personal demo contact [email protected]

&[email protected]

in the same email

www.coglink.com

COMMUNITY CURBCUTS

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

Use of Picture Supports

A group member

successfully

used visual supports

(communication book)

while grocery shopping

Use of a Letter Board

A group member noted that she has become more comfortable using her letter board due to practice.

She also stated that to be successful, you “need to be willing to be helped.”

Use of Communication Book

• An individualized communication

book helps one member better

than a higher-tech device

Use of Key Wording

• Some members write key words to communicate longer messages

Use of Pictures to Support Words and Concepts• All group materials are presented with pictures

to facilitate BOTH expressive and receptive communication

• Following Recipes for Cooking (see attached)

Use of Pictures to Support Words and Concepts

Asking a Fitness Trainer

Health and Fitness

Questions

(see attached)

SYMBOL WORLD

• www.symbolworld.org• A live website where people can read

news, movie reviews, recipes & more

in pictures

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COMMUNITY BARRIERSPlaces, resources or products that

have created barriers to life participation for people with aphasia

are cataloged as Community Barriers.

INACCESSIBLE

PLACES, RESOURCES AND PRODUCTS FOR

PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL

OR COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES

IN THE CAPITAL REGION OF NYS

COMMUNITY BARRIERS

&

COMMUNICATIONBARRIERS

COMMUNITY BARRIERS

During the Fall 2007 semester, the Aphasia Support Group had a

number of guest lecturers speak about various topics.

The following slide describes what is NOT helpful when presenters

share information with people with aphasia.

GUEST LECTURERSPresentations are not helpful if:

• The presenters talk too fast

• The presenters give too much information at once

• The presenters don’t use visuals to support the information

PHYSICALBARRIERS

COMMUNITY BARRIERS

COMMUNITY BARRIERS:RESTAURANTS

The Ripe Tomato

• Wheelchair accessible to

get into the restaurant

• Bathrooms are

inaccessible due

to narrow hallways

(518) 581-1530

Smith’s Pizza Tavern

• Not wheelchair accessible

LOMBARDO’S

Inaccessible men’s bathroom

121 Madison Ave, Albany(518) 462-9180

The Purple PubInaccessible parking

Wheelchair accessible entrance

Have to come through the kitchen to get into the restaurant

2 Cohoes Road Watervliet, NY(518) 273-9646

The Golden Fox

No accessible restrooms due to a step and no handicap stalls

Troy, NY(518) 272-4369

SHEA’S RESTAURANT

Claims to be physically

accessible, however,

there are two steps

to enter

Albany, NY

(518) 489-4231

The Western Diner

The restroom is inaccessible unless the use of a cane is a feasible option

Albany,NY

J.J. Rafferty’s

The restroom is

inaccessible

Latham, NY

COMMUNITY BARRIERS:SHOPPING

Wheelchair accessible

to enter

Once you are in,

it is difficult to get around

579 Troy-Schenectady Rd

(518) 783-0701

Dick’s Sporting Goods (Latham)

K-MART (Latham)

Wheelchair accessible to enter

Difficult to maneuver because of narrow, cluttered aisles

(518) 783-6101

– Narrow walkways within the store

– Boxes on the floor restricting movement

1816 Central Ave., Albany NY(518) 456-4556

KOHL’S (Central Ave)

COMMUNITY BARRIERSENTERTAINMENT

ST. SACRAMENT

Staff was not

Accommodating

Staff were annoyed to

have to let a male into

the women’s bathroomLake George Steamboat CompanySteel Pier, Lake George, NY

(518) 668-5777

COMMUNITY BARRIERS

PRODUCTS

3 Hole Dish

• Not really sure of the benefits or function