YW; I gave info to several lawyers about the American with Disability(ies) Act (ADA) and Virginians with Disability(ies) Act (VDA); I was trained, and with HUVA (Handicaps United of Virginia). A few of us (with Disabilities) flew to St. Louis, MO to "craft' the ADA in early 80's... folks from ALL over USA were there. Returning to Virginia, we "crafted" the VDA. Independent Living MOVEMENT was BIRTHED... CIVIL RIGHTS for persons with DISABILITIES! NOT doing much, today; if lawyers call... I answer. Wife is also Para-Legal... and was a Probation Counselor & JUDGE for Juvenile Correction. BTW, we met at the MAX Security Prison in Virginia, where I was Treatment Programs Supervisor/Top Administrator on Duty (Acting WARDEN); she was Corrections Counselor (Adult Institution).
TW: Lynne, Harrison, Petty, Dylan, Orbison WERE great; got ALL their LP's... HA! WHAT are LP's...?
25 year anniversary A.D.A. signing. Thank you for your input Reb.
I understand much of your effort is elsewhere but here's some chair ramblings.
Far to go yet,far to go. We have it good here compared to many third world countries though. Possibly tens of millions short on proper or any chairs.
Working on buying a rough rider chair from whirlwinds outfit that not long ago parted ways with the university they were tight with so long.
A kidney punch of sorts requiring change, but Ralf has made a difference in many lives. And in places that shows a disabled person is a person regardless of where they live.
A man going into countries around the world with purpose of helping disabled help themselves and others.(Ralf Hotchkiss).
Due to that change instead of a chair being sent to a country/person there that needs it with each chair sold, now it's a half a chair,or two sold one donated.
Donating chairs is not the real goal though. Many donated chairs sit broken or unusable. A big reason for the roughriders design with vast input,not a Rube Goldberg committee but from users that build and the college and ...nations of users.
A recipient in need ponies up at least something as a means of being vested. The whirlwind chair is not delivered till proper fit is established on size and chairs are more suited for environment and availability of parts in places resources are scarce,particularly bearings.
Most bike mechanics can deal with any repairs beyond users scope though chairs are designed to be commonly maintainable.
Whirlwind Wheelchair - Who What & Why
Like yourself his awareness created inputs action.
One mans efforts yielding fruit long after original input.
Combined; making even greater difference.
A difference that can be a real treasure when mobility is regained for some.
A difference when disabilities are recognized as simply; a difference.
Varied in requirements of accommodation that are often simple enough, and cost little when planned in advance but sometimes overlooked due to perspective of designers.
For others it is not so simple. Yet understanding perspective takes a lot of the friction out of the equation.
Many unique. Many common. All differently similar. Humans.
