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The Freedom Stick is a system, it can be downloaded and installed on a 4gb Flash Drive and carried everywhere by the student, plugged into and used on school computers or public library computers, or even employer computers – anywhere any version of Microsoft Windows is installed (including on Apple Macintosh computers which can have Windows installed as a second operating system). Or it can be installed directly onto your own computer. It is safe in all computing environments, tested globally since development began in Scotland with EduApps. This version was developed with US Department of Education and Michigan Department of Education grants through Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) in order to bring Universal Design Technology to American schools. The Freedom Stick is a collection of free, open-source programs which provide the widest range of supports for differing student needs. It is also a system supported by a range of learning tools – including a full set of “how to use” videos and presentations. It is easy to adapt to the students own needs, and it works with the supports included in Windows to create a true Universal Solution Set.

Morris is a dance professor at the University of South Florida, and more recently, an inventor. She was introducing kids with spina bifida and cerebral palsy to a chair she dreamed up. On this weekend in their class, the chair would let them dance. Not pretend to dance, not be pulled by a dancer, but actually dance.

Freedom Scientific/Learning Systems Group Announces their WYNN Lesson Plan Portfolio

We are happy to present our newest educator resource, our WYNN Lesson Plan Portfolio! It is a new link on our Web site dedicated to presenting lesson plans for using WYNN to enhance the learning process.

Imagine you're a child or an adult with a developmental disability: You just want to live your life, like everyone else. But at some point in your young life—probably at the time of diagnosis—everything changed and people have treated you differently ever since. Most people pay attention to what you cannot do. Few make the effort to see what you can do. And some of what you can do looks different as compared to others, so it's still "wrong" or doesn't count. Throughout your life, you've been surrounded by people trying to "help" you: trying to get you to do things you cannot do—"normal" things—that must be important to them. Your feelings about these things, and your other wants, needs, hopes, and dreams, don't seem to matter much to anyone else. And for as long as you can remember, people have "placed" you in special settings, surrounded by others who also cannot do "normal" things. You're not allowed to have experiences like other people; your parents, teachers, service providers, etc. think you're not ready, not able, not competent. You're also not expected to do what others do, like learning the three Rs, being responsible for yourself, living on your own, having a real job, and more. They also work hard to protect you. So you learn not to expect too much out of life; you learn not to do too much; you learn not to try, because it doesn't make any difference; you learn to be helpless. You've never really had friends—not really, not like other people do—no one to call when you're lonely or when you want to share a secret. You'd like to fall in love and kiss and more, but that will probably never happen. You'd like to have the freedom to do what you want, when you want, how you want, and the freedom to say NO—but that seldom happens. There are so many things you want to do, so many places you want to go, so many people you'd like to know, and so much you want to feel—and you've wanted these things for days, and weeks, and months, and years. You've waited and waited and waited; it's so hard to keep waiting. You really feel angry and you also feel sad. You don't feel very important; you don't feel needed; and you haven't accomplished much in your life—but then no one expects these from you, so maybe you shouldn't expect these things for yourself. All the different people in your life exert a great deal of control over you, and they probably all have good intentions, but...

If you or a family member has special needs, traveling and touring may not be the first thing on your to-do list. Lack of accessibility, amenities and understanding are just some of the barriers that may be in your way. Luckily for you there are some great organizations that will give you the freedom to see the world no matter what your disability is!

On July 4, the ADA legacy bus tour stops at Caras Park in downtown Missoula. It's called the Road to Freedom Runs through Montana. The tour ends in Washington, D.C., July 26.Darren Larson, of Missoula, finds a reason to celebrate every day. He's a friendly, familiar face in the downtown business district he works in.

Ah, summer camp. The mosquitoes, the swim races, the friendships, the bug juice, the postcards home. What child wouldn't benefit from the fun and structured freedom camps provide? Kids with special needs are no exception. But the prospect can seem daunting to parents and kids alike — how can you be sure that your child will get the attention he or she needs? Will your child be able to participate fully? What about the other kids? Will your child make friends? Will they understand your child's special needs?

ZoncoArm manufactures Mobil Arm Supports for people with upper-limb disabilities which can help with rehabilitation, and can add more freedom and independence to such activities of daily living as feeding, using a computer, and controlling the joy stick of a power wheelchair.