Welcome to the Adept-Able Living page, where you'll find odds and ends that relate to those of us "They" call disabled.  Actually, we're quite adept at adjusting to obstacles in various forms, whether they be objects, people, situations, inconsideration, or ignorance of the law. We become quite able to handle just about anything, living our lives not as brave inspiration for others but as people with goals and ambitions for ourselves and our loved ones.  This page will contain thoughtful quotes, helpful hints for maintaining equipment, suggestions for items that have helped make my own life easier, information about laws, maybe some humor here and there.

I welcome comments, reactions, and suggestions.  Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• If you intend to rent a home or condo, be aware that its owner doesn’t have to play by the same ADA rules as hotels. You may ask if it’s accessible and get a “yes,” then arrive to find out the owner’s definition of the word is far different from yours or the ADA’s. Be sure to ask very specific questions—any steps or stairs at all (including sunken family room); if dual level, any bedroom/bath on the ground floor; size of bathroom doors and tub or shower; located on a steep hill; etc. The more specific you are, the more prepared you can be. Also, if you don’t drive, ask about accessible transportation, like buses, vans, and taxis that are available in the area.

• Planning on flying? You may need to check in a wheelchair or scooter. First thing you should do when receiving it at your destination is to look it over very carefully for damage. Then drive it around a bit before leaving the airport. If there’s a problem, you must go at once to report it. That way, the airline will repair or replace it. Rules vary from airline to airline and whether you’re flying within the U.S. or abroad. Generally, though, airlines want to keep you as a customer and will work with you.

Make-Life-Easier Service:

Bookshare

Having dyslexia or another disability that makes reading print difficult does not mean the end of enjoying a good book.  Imagine hearing and reading that mystery novel or the textbook for your history class.  Or even the newspaper.  Maybe there's a magazine you'd like to read.  You can put in a request for it.

All this is available at Bookshare, a free service for students with qualifying disabilities.  It is supported by the U.S. Dept. of Education.  It offers print materials in accessible formats--using any device that supports digital text in DAISY, BRF, and text formats.  Members get two e-reader applications free.

Bookshare's goal is to break down the barriers to printed content and dramatically increase the quantity and availability of accessible books and newspapers.

For more information go to www.Bookshare.org.

For previously posted products or services, click HERE.

It's the Law: Caltrans Settlement

Those who ride Caltrans should take note of last year's settlement agreement on a class-action suit.  Caltrans must now improve disabled access in their Park and Rides and sidewalks, removing existing access barriers. Also, each time Caltrans resurfaces a road they must install new curb cuts and upgrade old, non-compliant ones.  Moreover, they must make sure newly constructed roads and sidewalks follow state and federal accessibility guidelines.  Walkways they must deal with include all types--pedestrian over-crossings and under-crossings, crosswalks, and any others Caltrans owns or maintains.

We, the public, are able to monitor them.  We can complain about any Caltrans access barriers we face.  We do so by completing the complaint form online at www.adaac.org/caltrans/ intakerequestform.aspx. Or by contacting the Statewide ADA coordinator at (866)810-6346, or Caltrans consultant for such complaints at (916)653-4913.

It will be a long process, but eventually accessibility issues on Caltrans walkways and Park and Rides will be a thing of the past.

For previously posted items on laws, click HERE.~~~

THAT'S A THOUGHT....

~~  "Every child is gifted.  They just unwrap their packages at different times."  --  Unknown ~~

For previously posted quotes, click HERE.~~~

Maintaining Equipment:

Reclining Lift Chairs

We don't give a thought to how many times we use our recling lift chair to relax in, then help bring us to a standing position.  So, of course, we don't think about how that function opens up the lower part of the chair, allowing in dog toys, rolling grapes, missing socks, water bottles, etc.  That area is a catch-all for dust bunnies and cat hair, and bits of edibles are a "Welcome" sign for mice.

Not only is this situation unhiegienic, but also it presents potential harm to the chair, at the very least in terms of extra wear and tear.  Those items can catch in the scissor jacks that lift the feet, for example, or in other parts of the lifting mechanism, interfering with the chair's performance and longevity.  Gathered dust can lead to unnerving squeaks, too, an indication that something isn't quite right.

The solution is simple: clean and vacuum under there regularly.  It's an easy task to overlook.  You just need to figure out a way to remind yourself or your helper.  Once the job is done, well, the chair is there, and you are tired....

For previously posted equipment maintenance ideas, click HERE.~~~

CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PAGE:  If you have a disabilities-related tasteful joke, thoughtful quote, product you've discovered, comment (positive or negative) about anything on this page, Email it to Jackie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  It will be published here, with credit given to you.  Unless you prefer to be anonymous, be sure to give your name and city/state you live in.