Tag Archives: bay area

Break out the popcorn.  Disability cinemas are coming to the Bay Area. First off, on Saturday, October 12, Superfest International, the longest running disabilities film festival, promises a fun evening filled with laughter and entertainment.  New this year is an award called “The Dissies”, given to the worst of the worst in film representation of disability.  After viewing short clips of nominated films, audience …

Come join in the Berkeley paralympic festivities at Opening Day 2013, conducted by the Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP).  Watch or join in sports such as wheelchair basketball, goalball, adaptive cycling, and power soccer. Event Schedule: 10:00 am – Welcome 10:30 am – Goalball demonstration and open games 11:30 am – Prep wheelchair basketball demo and open games 12:00 pm …

Recent scientific studies have shown that sitting for long periods, even for two hours, is unhealthy.   According to the Mayo Clinic, any extended sitting–whether behind a desk at work, in front of a TV or in a wheelchair–can be linked with a number of health concerns, including obesity and metabolic syndrome, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and …

Here in the Bay Area we are vulnerable to an array of possible disasters.  When I think of emergency preparedness, I usually think of “the big one”.  But the recent fire at the Chevron refinery in Richmond is a reminder that there are more things than earthquakes we need to prepare for.  Remember the 1991 Oakland hills fire? Even if you already have …

After you’ve watched the magnificent athletic prowess displayed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games (August 29 – September 9) on TV, you can test your own abilities in some of the same sports at 2012 Opening Day, an event sponsored by the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP).  You’ll have a chance to try goalball, adapted cycling, power soccer and wheelchair basketball. BORP describes it …

No doubt about it–these are very difficult financial times for many Americans.  I hope you are not among those who are struggling, but if you are, help is available.  That help comes in both governmental and nonprofit flavors. The government program websites I’ve included here have some overlap, but they are all worth perusing for assistance with unemployment, housing, food and health services. For …

I don’t know anyone who looks forward to doing their taxes, but fortunately for us, there’s a small army of volunteers out there waiting to help us–and for free, no less.  So what excuse do we have to procrastinate? Free tax preparation services are offered by various organizations, usually  targeting low-to-moderate income families and elderly taxpayers.  However, each organization has its own qualifications and …

A six-part training series for transition-age youth with disabilities and their parents will begin in January at the Ed Roberts Campus.  Designed for youth with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, etc., the Ramping Up for Independence series will be presented by East Bay Innovations, Ala Costa Center, Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and WorkLink. …

Unfortunately, there’s even more people in that situation than before.  The good news is the Bay Area has a variety of medical clinics available for people of limited means. If you live in Berkeley, you might first look into the Berkeley Free Clinic.  They provide general medical and dental services and some tests.  If you don’t live in Berkeley, or …

It’s fitting that the Ed Roberts Campus (a tribute to the late Ed Roberts, one of the primary leaders the Independent Living Movement) would itself represent yet another milestone in that movement. For the first time, a building specifically designed to be a national and international model of integrated and accessible service delivery for people with disabilities brings together under …