Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [id] => 9
            [date] => 2022-10-19
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => Want to offer help? Ask first (and keep asking)
            [author] => Jacob Lesner-Buxton
            [article] => 
For those who don’t know, an ally means someone who takes particular action to support a person or a group or both. For instance, if an able-bodied person complains about a building inaccessible to those with disabilities, a person might be considered an ally. No two people with disabilities agree on all the traits that make someone a good ally, but most of us agree that listening to us is an essential part.

 

Unfortunately, some people with good intentions forget to listen to our needs before trying to help us. This often results in awkward and unsafe situations. Recently, my fiance, who is legally blind, asked a movie theater employee, “where can I get the popcorn?” The employee answered by grabbing her cane and pulling her toward the concession stand, him on one end of the cane and her on the other. The experience led her to feel disoriented, and frustrated.

 

Checking in with a person before offering help is important. Asking how you can best be of help is also imperative to assure that the help is actually helpful. 

 

Remember, if a person doesn’t require assistance at the moment, they might appreciate your help at a later date. While walking with my friend one Halloween night, I tripped and fell. When I asked my friend why he didn’t offer to guide me through the darkness, he replied, “you said that you didn’t need assistance six months ago when I offered.”

 

Besides knowing that a person's need for assistance may vary from day to day. I suggest not offering assistance out of guilt. I have been assisted by people who are impatient with the task we are doing. What they saw as helping me was really them helping themselves save time. For someone already a bit ashamed about asking for so much assistance, having someone complaining about the errands we are running makes me feel guilty for asking in the first place.

 

However, I do believe it’s appropriate to be honest with the person asking for help before the task. Asking the person for things like gas money for a ride or telling them about your bad shoulder that prevents you from assisting them with moving is extremely helpful to me. Like I said before, most people want to feel like they are not being a burden on others. Honest communication is essential to creating a helping relationship in which one person doesn’t feel like a burden and the other doesn’t feel like a savior.

 

        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [id] => 12
            [date] => 2022-10-19
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => Access in the News!
            [author] => Brittany Pudnos
            [article] => 
Did you know that Close to 30 million adults in the U.S. could benefit from hearing aid use? And that the average price of an adult hearing aid is about $2,000-$3,000. It can range from $1,000 up to more than $4,000 for each device, depending on the level of technology. The good news is that the push for easier access to assistive technology had a big win recently! On August 16th, The U.S. FDA issued a final rule to improve access to hearing aids. Certain hearing aids for those who are 18 and older will now be available with no doctor's visit or fitting necessary. These new over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids enable consumers with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment to purchase hearing aids directly from stores or online retailers without the need for a medical exam, prescription, or fitting adjustment by an audiologist. 

“Reducing healthcare costs in America has been a priority of mine since Day One, and this rule is expected to help us achieve quality, affordable healthcare access for millions of Americans in need,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Today’s action by the FDA represents a significant milestone in making hearing aids more cost-effective and accessible.”



What a great way to take down barriers and make healthcare accessible for all!

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-finalizes-historic-rule-enabling-access-over-counter-hearing-aids-millions-americans
        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [id] => 28
            [date] => 2021-04-15
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => What was I to do if the power went out?
            [author] => Anonymous
            [article] => 
These people are amazing and it is well worth your time to check them out. As a senior sometimes it is just plain strange because there are times when you may wonder if the modern world remembers the past at all and you may wonder where to turn for help, or with questions for people of our ages. Here is my story: The storms were coming and the weather reports were saying the power may be turned off or could be interrupted.

That was a big concern to me as I use oxygen at night and a nebulizer twice a day (that's a machine to take meds for the lungs).  What was I to do if the power went out? I saw a commercial on TV about the Access Central Coast and thought, well, what the heck? I will call them. Now, without complication ACC delivered a battery that can be used in case of a power outage. Just plug your equipment into it and bingo! You are safe to use your equipment no matter if a storm comes. 

The lady I worked with is Lauren Utterback and she is so professional and personable that you don't feel any discomfort at all asking for help. 

If you need help as a senior or disabled person certainly give them a call. It will be worth your time. 

-Anonymous, Consumer of Lauren Utterback, Emergency Preparedness Services Manager

        )

)
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