There are different types of physical and development disability camps for children. There may be disability camps that accept all handicapped kids, while there are others that accept kids with specific needs. These handicap camps range from learning disability camps to cancer camps to physical disabilities.

Camps for kids with disabilities

• The June Rusche Hamrah Camps for All : This is a non-profit organization that works in co-ordination with various special needs groups to provide an accessible environment for disabled kids. It offers ample opportunity for activities, education and therapeutic needs of children of all ages.

• Very Special Camps : This is an online camp directory for locating special needs camps. They have a variety of camps to choose from depending on your special need and activities preferred.

• Children’s Association for Maximum Potential : is a weeklong camping session held every summer to benefit kids with special needs.

• Timbertop Camp : This non-profit camp is jointly sponsored by YMCA and the Association for Services for Learning Disabilities. It is designed for children who require extra care and attention due to their various types of learning disabilities.

• Lose the Training Wheels : is an organization dedicated to teaching children with disabilities how to ride a two-wheeled bicycle and become independent bike riders.

• Camp Lee Mar : helps children with learning and development difficulties to participate in regular camping activities and improve on their interpersonal and activity skills.

Special needs camps for kids with disabilities are abundant in variety and availability. There are disability camps that serve specific needs and wants of children with learning, behavioral and physical disabilities. While regular camps are well equipped for disabled kids as well, there are also specific camps to help a child adjust better around similar children.

A handicap camp is one of the best ways to allow a child to interact with other kids who are in a similar situation and thus allow them to develop their communication skills, as well as make friends. These tips and resources may serve as a starting guide to your perfect special needs summer camp search.

What to expect out of a handicap camp?

A child with special needs has the same basic needs when it comes to the growing up process. With an extra emphasis on addressing their unique disabilities, a handicap camp is designed to benefit kids by developing their interpersonal skills and also making sure they have a good time.

Even though each disability camp has its own way of conducting activities, there are some basic aspects that must be expected out of all of them. Special needs summer camps exist to make sure kids are involved in several activities and unique interests that develop their athletic and creative sides. Some of these handicap camps are designed to address specific disabilities so that children do not have to feel out of place.

Moreover, this encourages interaction with other kids, and helps them develop inner confidence. These disability camps also allow kids to have an opportunity to develop friendships, respect elders and also develop leadership skills. As they are away from their parents for extended periods of time, they also learn to become independent and self-reliant.

Different types of special needs summer camps

Deciding on the correct kind of disabled camp for your child is very important. It is essential that you include your child in this decision as they might have specific requests as well. The first step is to determine the duration of the camp. Camps range from daytime only, weekend, or even entire summers. Talking to your child and figuring out what would be best for them and their special needs would benefit all. After deciding on the duration, one must look into the different types of camps.

Inclusionary camps are the main kind of camps that have existed for years. However, in recent years, the ADA – The Americans with Disabilities Act – requires that all camps must make appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities. This may include adding wheelchair accessibility ramps, wider hallways and so on. In this way, regular camps can now accommodate special needs kids and make them feel welcome.

Sometimes, the disability of a child makes it impossible for them to attend a regular camp. The family might even prefer not to send them to a regular camp for the fear that the child may feel out of place there. Camps for kids with disabilities are very common these days.

Finding the correct kind of special needs camp is essential to the growth and confidence building process of the kid. Conducting a lot of research and asking other parents for recommendations would help in making the right decision for your child. Refer to the List of Camps for Kids with Disabilities.

Various mobility products are now in the market which can be used to increase mobility within the household. Such daily living aids allows individuals to travel between rooms, take showers without dangerous bathroom accidents, go up and down the stairs and many other simple tasks that everyone takes for granted. The market identifies the needs of the disabled and continuously comes out with mobility products that will greatly benefit the disabled.

Importance of mobility aids

Without a doubt, personal safety and independent living are the topmost reasons for the innovative mobility aids that we see today. Innovators are continuously looking to improve the lives of disabled people and provide them with devices that may work as daily living aids in order to make every day a little bit easier. Not only are these disability aids now being widely used, they are becoming an important part of thousands of individuals’ lives who are benefiting everyday from some form of household mobility aids.

These mobility products are designed for the handicapped, as well as the senior and elderly who have lost the control of one of more muscles in their body and have difficulty getting around. Some people have difficulty with the smallest of tasks which we take for granted, such as bending down to pick up a dropped towel, washing plates, walking up the stairs or even just turning a key. These mobility aids provide make such tasks easy again for disabled individuals and allow them to lead a normal life.

Useful aids for daily living

There are innumerable amounts of mobility aids that are now available in various stores and locations. These are specifically create to address certain common issues faced by disabled and mobility challenged individuals. Some of the most commonly used and sold items today are:

• Stair lift chair : This mobility aid device is created for individuals who have stairs within their house. This electric mechanized device allows the individual to be transferred up and down the stairs while being seated on a wheel chair.

• Bathroom chair : These chairs are specifically designed for bathrooms to assist in handicap mobility. They are water resistant and have non slip handles and wheels. It allows for easy transfer to and from the bathtubs. Custom designed swing doors are often required and preferred in order to allow such chairs to be accessible.

• Mobility scooters : are very convenient disability aids that allow individuals with weak walking abilities to move around over extended periods of time.

• Bed mobility aids : Several custom adjustments can be made to beds in order to make it more comfortable for a disabled individual. Adjustments may include adjustable back rests, side railings, leg raisers or attached bed tables.

• Grab rails : These mobility aids can be installed in virtually all parts of the house. Simple railings can make it much easier for the mobility challenged to move around all over the house.

• Key extenders and turners : A small key may be impossible to use for some people. A key extender may be attached to a regular key to extend the surface area of the key. A key turner may also be used to get a better grip on the key.

• Grips : Grips may be put over things like a door knob, on tables, or even on the floor. The non-slip feature of this disability aid allows a person to get a better grip on slippery objects and ensures safety around the house.

Accessibility within one’s home is the most important thing to all individuals. Increasing mobility through disability aids gives more freedom to a person and allows them to do daily tasks with little or no help from others. Simple daily living aids like the ones mentioned here and many more contribute to a much better and safer home environment for disabled people. Everyday there are new mobility aids that are being discovered which makes it a little bit easier to complete daily chores.

Respecting individual needs and appreciating personal experiences will help us all see beyond the disability and help create a stronger, more supportive and welcoming community.

Communicate Better With Disabled People

Following are some tips that you should keep in mind when communicating with disabled people.

• Treat people with a disability with the same respect and consideration you have for everyone else.
• Don’t assume what a person can or can’t do.
• Speak to people with a disability directly, not through their carer, assistant or interpreter.
• Ask before you help – don’t just jump in.
• Can’t understand what’s being said? Don’t pretend – ask again.
• Take some time – people with some kinds of disability may take a little longer to understand and respond.
• Some disabilities are invisible. Get to know people.
• Guide dogs are working dogs. Never pat or speak to a guide dog while it’s wearing a harness.

Other Useful Communication Tips

• When talking with a person with a disability, speak directly to that person rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter who may be present.
• When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands. (Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting.)
• When meeting a person with a visual impairment, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.
• If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions.
• Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others. (Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulders.)
• Leaning or hanging on a person’s wheelchair is similar to leaning or hanging on a person and is generally considered annoying. The chair is part of the person’s body space.
• Listen attentively when you’re talking with a person who has difficulty speaking. Be patient and wait for the person to finish rather than correcting or speaking for the person. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a nod or a shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Instead, repeat what you have understood and allow the person to respond. The response will clue in and guide your understanding.
• When speaking with a person in a wheelchair or a person who uses crutches, place yourself at eye level in front of the person to facilitate the conversation.
• To get the attention of a person who is hearing-impaired, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly, and expressively to establish if the person can read your lips. Not all people with a hearing impairment
  can lip-read. For those who do not lip-read, be sensitive to their needs by placing yourself facing the light source and keeping hands, cigarettes, and food away from your mouth when speaking.
• Relax. Don’t be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted, common expressions such as “See you later,” or “Did you hear about this,” that seem to relate to the person’s disability.

What Is Medicaid Health Insurance?

Medicaid is a program funded by states and the federal government to provide various insurance coverages for low income citizens including families, children, elderly and the disabled.

What Is Medicare Health Insurance?

Medicare insurance is the nations largest health insurance program. Medicare coverages include people age 65 and over, disabled persons under 65 and persons with permanent kidney failure.

Other Medicaid Disability Insurance Details

• Individuals must have a certain basic income to qualify for Medicaid. While Medicaid is techniclaly administered by the federal government, states are allowed to set their own qualification rules. As a result, qualification requirements for Medicaid might vary from state to state.
• Disabled people covered by Medicaid are covered for hospital services, x ray services, home health care services and dental insurance for children as well.

Other Medicare Disabled Insurance Details

• The coverage for Medicare is divided into two parts. Part A is the Hospital Insurance and Part B is the Medical Insurance.
• Part A is usually designed for those over the age of 65.  If you have this type of Medicare, you do not have to pay an insurance premium as you have probably paid for it via taxes while you were working. However, if you have never worked or have not paid Medicare taxes then you might have to pay a certain amoutn of premium to be insured with Medicare Part A disability insurance. Part A Medicare insurance covers hospital care, nursing care and hospices.
• Part B Medicare insurance covers a variety of health services including but not limited to physicians, outpatient vists and all therapists that are considered absolutely essential for medical purposes.

These are the basic differences between Medicaid and Medicare.

Basketball In Wheelchairs

Wheelchair basketball is played by thousands of disabled people across the world. This disabled sport is governed by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) and is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee as a disability sport.

The IWBF has 82 National Organizations for Wheelchair Basketball, each participating in wheelchair basketball actively all around the year. As per the IWBF’s statistics, over 100,000 people across the world enjoy this popular disabled sport. Some of these players simply enjoy it for recreational purposes while others play professionally and even represent their country at international levels. Whether you are a man or a woman or even a child, you can play wheelchair basket ball too.

It must however be noted that wheelchair basketball is not just a casual sport and is in fact a very cometitive disabled sport and as a result, it is not surprising that it is one of the mot popular disability sports at the quadr-annual Paralympic Games.  Participants from several countries participate in the Paralympic Games, some of the most common including USA, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, The Netherlands and Japan. The winning country receives the Gold Cup for Wheelchair Basketball.

Basketball In Wheelchairs: Other Details

Wheelchair basketball first started being played in the 1940s through a rehabilitation program at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, England. It has since developed and grown into an internationall well known disability sport. While it was initially known as Wheelchair Netball, it finally developed into what is today known as Wheerlchair Basketball.

In addition to the Paralympics, players of wheelchair basketball also compete in several other events. One of the most important competitions for his disabled sport is the Wheelchair Basketball World Championship (WBWC).  It started in 1973 and was first played in Bruges, Belgium and the championships wre won by the team from Great Britain.  The next WBWC is due to be held in 2010 and will be hosted by Birmingham, England.

Showering, bathing, shaving, brushing your hair, brushing your teeth. Though these are activities that many take for granted, people with limb differences can find them very difficult to do alone. Your daily grooming routine is made up of movements that require hand and wrist dexterity and flexibility, arm extension and rotation, balance, strength and coordination. When these movements are difficult or painful, grooming can be a frustrating or even risky experience without the aid of assistive devices.

Unfortunately, because assistive devices for independent living are produced by only a small number of manufacturers and there is only a small market for them, they can be expensive. Moreover, Medicare does not cover the cost of bathing equipment, including bath seats, hand-held shower heads or grab bars.

With a little thought and ingenuity, however, you can find ways to do these activities with homemade or easily available and inexpensive aids. You shouldn’t neglect safety for convenience, however.

Disability Safety: Dental & Hair Care

Prosthetic hands and hooks often do not grip small or thin items as well as the human hand does. As a result, these items might be difficult to control or might slip out of your prosthesis. A simple and inexpensive solution for this problem is to add thicker, less slippery handles to such items as your toothbrush, comb, hair brush, bath brush and flossing device.

If you can’t find these items with readymade built-up handles, you can make their handles larger and easier to grip by wrapping them with a short section of foam rubber tubing. Or you can simply insert some of the items into a bicycle handle grip. Also, if your prosthetic device has a limited range of motion and you can’t quite get to those hard-to-reach spots with your bath brush, try attaching it to a wooden dowel or a flexible wire.

An easy technique for brushing your teeth without arms is to use a battery-powered toothbrush. If you can get toothpaste on it, turn it on, and get it in your mouth, you can use your mouth to move it around inside, letting the vibrating toothbrush do the rest.

Flossing with the traditional string-style floss would clearly be difficult for a onehanded person. Today, however, a onehanded person can take advantage of the newer “tuning fork” flossing tools, which do not require two hands.

If you have no hands and normally dry your hair with a hair dryer, you can mount it on the wall and simply move your head around in front of it until your hair is dry. The bracket that holds the dryer should allow movement, however, so that the dryer can be tilted in various directions.

When it comes to shaving, an electric rotary razor is much kinder and gentler than a blade. Flexible-headed razors require less hand movement to reach awkward places, and are often bulky enough to be used with a prosthesis.

If you use a wheelchair at the sink, any exposed pipes underneath should be wrapped to avoid burning your legs. Whether you’re seated or on your knees in a locked wheelchair, a folded towel or a thin pillow on the front edge of the counter will make long periods at the sink much more bearable.

Finally, you’ll probably like to look at yourself in the mirror to make sure you don’t leave toothpaste on your chin or unknowingly leave the house with “bad hair.” Two simple ways to make sure that you have access to a mirror where you need it is to install a full-length mirror or to mount a magnifying mirror in a convenient location, preferably next to an electrical outlet.

Safety Tips For Disabled: Grab Bars

Grab bars help support you while you are getting in and out of the bathtub, reducing your risk of a fall. They can be installed on the walls or on the side of the tub. Wall-mounted grab bars, installed properly into walls that are in good condition, are considered more stable than tub-mounted bars. Tub-mounted bars don’t require structural support from a wall and have the added advantage of easy removal, but they must be used with caution because they can easily (and suddenly) detach if fastened incorrectly. Test them carefully in advance by applying force in several directions before relying on them for support.

Although they come in different shapes and sizes, grab bars have common safety characteristics and requirements. Flanges on the ends of the bar should have sturdy screws for installation, preferably into wall studs. There should be enough room between the bar and the wall for you to get a good grip. They should be made of plastic or rust-resistant metal, with a rough surface to prevent slipping.

Keep Things Handy

Bathing is easier if everything you need is close at hand. If you bathe in a tub rather than showering, you can buy or make a shelf to sit firmly on the edges of the tub to hold soap, brushes or a magazine.

A more flexible option is a wire-frame shower caddy with suction cups that can be attached wherever you wish. You can also find a variety of rings and hooks to add more items to the caddy; the classic “soap-on-a-rope” is always handy, and some squeeze bottles of soap and shampoo are designed to hang on a hook as well. Other soaps and shampoos are available in pump dispensers.

Slippery When Wet

One of the most common problems that amputees encounter is maintaining balance while bathing and climbing in and out of the bathtub. Most tubs don’t have adequate slip-resistant finishes. To reduce the chance of a slip injury, your bathtub floor should have either a rubber mat anchored with suction cups or nonslip adhesive strips. Bath strips should be placed close to each other so that very little of the bathtub floor comes in contact with your foot.

Various floor materials respond differently to being wet. Some new ceramic tiles and rubber-based linoleum have better slip-resistance. Keep the floor clear of rugs or small objects on which you could slip or trip, and use cleaning products that don’t leave a slippery film.

Showering Tips For Disabled Safety

Scalding is another hazard of showering. Always check the water temperature before you get into the shower. This is particularly important for people with diabetes. Diabetic nerve damage can leave your feet numb and unable to feel heat, cold or even pain. And if you can’t feel pain, you might not notice any blisters until you have an infection.

You might want to try one of the many hand-held shower heads on the market, particularly if you shower in a seated position. Handheld units also allow getting into the tub without stepping directly into a stream of water, reducing the chance of slipping. Some models are made of rubber to fit over the tub tap, while some require installation but allow more freedom of movement. Make sure you can reach the mounting bracket from your seat and that the hose is long enough for you to spray all parts of your body. The handle should be easy to grip, and any knobs or controls should be easy to use (even when wet).

For more ideas, consult an occupational therapist or independent living specialist in your area. These professionals are trained to work with people of all ages and levels of ability to identify and recommend assistive devices or methods to help them cope with daily living activities

Mobility Aids For Disabled

There are a variety of mobility aids available for disabled people. We have listed some of these here.

Transfer Boards

Tansfer boards are mobility aids designed for disabled people who have limited strength and have trouble moving from one seated place to another. Transfer boards help transfer individuals, from say a wheelchair to a sofa and come in different shapes and sizes depending on the type of seat.

Seat Assists

Seat assists are designed are turntable type of devices designed to help people who have trouble getting out a seated position. User sit on the device which swivels and enables the suer to easily get out of their seated position. Some seat assists are designed like recliner chairs and help users get out of their seats the same way. Seat assists

Patient Transfer Aids

Patient transfer aids are yet another type of mobility equipment. They are poles that can be attached to the floor to help patients move out of their seated position. Users hold on to the pole and lift themselves out of their seated position independently. For those who have no or limited use of their legs, patient transfer aids also come with leg straps that can help with moving out of wheelchairs easier. Some patient transfer mobility aids also come with non slip mats, completel reducing the risk of any falls.

Bed Assists

For disabled people who are largely confined to their beds, bed assists are ideal because these disability aids help users get out of bed. Some common bed assist mobility aids are are mattress elevators that help raise the users head and also have adjustable backrests etc for maximum comfort. Other common bed assists include footboards and rope ladder hoists.

Bathlift

For users struggling to have a bath, a bathlift mobility aid can help. These mobility equipments help users get in and out of the bath. These devices are like lifts that are controlled by a handset and are lowered and raised to help the users get in and out of the bath. Bathing is a personal experience and by using a bathlift, users can gain a large amount of independence and not require help while bathing.

These are a few of the disability aids available, and there are many more available out there.

Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.”

IDEA is not a new concept. It previously existed under the name Education for All Handicapped Children Act but has grown considerably since.

More than 6 million children in the U.S. receive special education services through IDEA.Despite receiving large amounts of funding from the federal government, many states continue to doubt the importance of special needs education and do not believe it is necessary.

The U.S. Dept. Education, 2005a regulations implementing IDEA states: “…to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities including children in public or private institutions or care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled; and special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from regular educational environment occurs only if the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

The IDEA is a civil rights law however, states are not required to participate if they do not wish to. However, in order to encourage and assist states in complying with IDEA requirements, the Act has made funds available to all states that adopt at least the minimum policies and procedures specified in the IDEA. These policies concern the education of children with disabilities. Since the inception of IDEA, all American states have participated. However if a state does not provide appropriate education facilities, the federal government currently does not impose any strict fines or penalties.

The definition of related services in the IDEA includes, but is not limited to: transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes speech-language pathology and audiology services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and *mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes. The term also includes school health services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training.

According to the United States Department of Education, for children with disabilities who have been suspended for 10 days total for each school year, including partial days, the local education agency (LEA) must hold a manifestation determination hearing within 10 school days of any decision to change the placement of a child with a disability because of a violation of a code of student conduct following either the Stay Put law which states that the child shall not be moved from his or her current placement or interim services in an alternative placement if the infraction was deemed to cause danger to other students.

References:

IDEA – U.S. Department of Education

Understanding Children With Disabilities

Watch for facial expressions
Children often use unique facial expressions, sounds and body language to communicate. For example:

• Smiling, frowning or pouting
• Babbling, laughing and crying
• Turning their head away to mean ‘no’
• Using their eyes to point to people or objects.

Listen to your child’s messages
It is important to remember that:

• Nearly every sound and action your child makes is meaningful
• All children communicate differently.

Respond to your child

• It takes patience to learn to interpret your child’s messages. It will help if you:
• Act confidently when you know what they want
• Respond to all of your child’s sounds and actions
• Place yourself face-to-face and level with your child
• Imitate any sounds your child makes
• Copy any words they say
• Keep your sentences short and simple
• Make communication fun. Use bright colours and noisy toys to attract your child’s attention.

Talk to your child’s therapist about the most suitable physical positions and activities for your child.

Hold and carry your child – but let them move
Try to hold your child in a way that will let them develop strength, balance and let them look around. You can:

• Hold the child’s body against you but leave their arms and legs free
• Make a ‘chair’ out of your arms for your child to sit in.

How to make dressing time easier
Positions that may make getting your child dressed easier include:

• Lying your child on their stomach, side or back
• Sitting them on a chair or on your lap
• Standing them between your legs.

Nappy changing
Nappy changing may be difficult if your child’s legs are stiff. To help you can:

• Bend their knees to separate their legs
• Place a small pillow under their head.

Use different sitting and lying positions to build strength

Sitting and lying in different positions helps develop strength, for example:

• Lying on their side lets a child use their hands and feet
• Lying on their stomach strengthens back, neck and arm muscles
• Sitting on the floor with their legs straight stretches leg muscles
• Sitting on a chair develops upper body strength – make sure their feet are flat on the floor or footrest.

Encourage standing and movement
Regular standing and movement are needed for muscle strength and healthy bones and joints. You can help your child by:

• Using a standing frame if your child is unable to stand independently
• Placing a favourite toy just out of reach to encourage them to roll, crawl or walk.

Things to Remember With Your Disabled Child

• Learning starts at birth but children learn the most in early childhood.
• A child with a disability may take longer to tell you what they want.
• If you talk about daily activities like shopping it helps your child’s language to grow.
• Your child should sit as upright as possible at mealtimes.
• Your child’s therapist can help you choose the most suitable positions and activities for your child.