AMERICAS BIGGEST FIREWORK DISPLAY!

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

What better way to celebrate the 4^th of July than by attending a firework spectacular? If you have yet to make plans for the rapidly approaching Independence Day, consider taking your family to the 36^th annual MACY’S FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS!

This year, Macys will be igniting the night live from the Hudson River in New York City on July 4^th starting at 9 p.m. The Macy’s fireworks show is America’s BIGGEST fireworks display! If you’re looking to build family tradition, this is a great way to start!

Will you attend Macy’s fireworks this 4^th of July? Let us know on your Facebook page linked HERE! 

What Does Aging In Place Mean For You?

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

Have you ever heard of the term aging in place? Do you know what it means? Aging in place is when a senior citizen wants to live in the residence of their choice as they age, while having the services and support they may need over time as their needs change. As well as choosing to age in the place that the individual feels most comfortable, it should maintain or improve quality of life as well. Quality of life should cover yourself, your home, finances, care and other items.

As you age, there are many changes that come along with it. Some of these changes include reduced vision, decreased muscle strength or endurance, reduced mental processing capabilities, increased risk of falls due to balance, increased risk of illness, reduced hearing and decreased mobility.  These changes can impact and effect daily life in the ways of getting around the home easily, driving safely, transportation, socializing, home upkeep, health maintenance and various other ways.

If you are having trouble deciding if you should age in place ask yourself these questions. How would you like to spend your retirement years? How do you want your home to be setup? What are your healthcare options currently and what will they be? What type of assistance is right for you? And what are your wishes for major life events including sickness, housing transitions and financial decisions.

Have you thought about aging in place? Do you know anyone who’s made this decision? Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE! 

Beautiful "Accessible" Home For Sale In Chappequa!

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

This beautiful brick exterior home sits on 3.2 acres of land located in Northern Westchester County’s Chappaqua, NY offers full handicap accessibility features.

The exterior is brick with cedar shingle along with an unilock driveway and walk. The heated garage includes a  Vertical Lift (Porch) from garage to main living level.

The first floor has a two story entry with Aladdin Chandelier lift, living room with oak floors covered with wall to wall carpeting, formal dining room, family room with gas fireplace and cathedral ceiling, oak floor with a fireplace, powder room and study den. 

The kitchen has separate heating zone equipped with thermador convection oven, KitchenAid dishwasher, warming drawer, GE Monogram gas 6 Burner cook top, granite counters, built in desk and CD/Radio intercom system.

The first floor suite Includes bedroom with attached accessible bathroom including a barrier free shower, Therapy room, Aide/Nurse bedroom, indoor heated pool with radiant heat in floors , pool lift “ready” , Desert Air System and Flat Screen TV.

he first floor also is equipped with Barrier Free Living Spaces, wide open hallways, wide doorways and smooth room to room floor transitions (no saddles).
 

The second level has Master Bedroom suite with Master Bathroom  which includes Sitting room door to balcony, Cedar walk in closet, Second walk in closet, High ceiling, Oak floors.Master Bathroom has two sinks, Separate shower, Whirlpool tub. The second floor has an additional two bedrooms and a hall bathroom.The lower level is finished along with storage room and exit door to the outside.

A natural Bluestone ramp leads to expansive bluestone entertaining patio on the 3 ½ acre flat lawn surrounded with private trees. This beautiful home also includes Light Fixtures,all appliances, wall to wall carpeting, blinds and a natural gas barbeque.

For more information about this home please contact Kerry Fedigan of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate at 917-327-8766. This Chappaqua home lends itself to easy installation of an interior elevator rendering in the 100% accessible home.  

ADA Lifestyles can customize this home to be comfortable for any living situation. For more information about how ADA can help create a better environment contact Daniel Szalai or Martin Watters  at (914) 231-6107.

New Bill To Protect People with Special Needs!

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

This past weekend, state leaders announced a deal to create a new agency designed to crack down on the abuse of the developmentally disabled.  Governor Cuomo is calling this his top remaining priority of the legislative session.  The new bill creates the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs that will have a special prosecutor and inspector general with the same authority of district attorneys to investigate reports of abuse at state-run or contracted facilities.

The bill is also going to create a new registry of workers who committed serious acts of abuse and neglect and prohibit them from working with those individuals with special needs.

Governor Cuomo also commented on the bill saying that it will help protect the civil rights of more than 1 million New Yorkers with disabilities and special needs who haven’t had the protection and justice they deserve.

What are your thoughts about the new bill? Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE! 

Are You Having Trouble At The Pump?

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

Alike many other public accommodations, gas stations are required by law to provide equal access to those individuals with disabilities. Because businesses are constantly cutting back on employees, disabled motorists may find it increasingly more difficult to receive assistance at the pump when only one attendant is working!

Many gas stations have also turned over to “self-serve” which has also added to the fewer amount of employees being seen at gas stations. Nowadays, most stations only have one person working at a time and they are required to stay at the register, therefore leaving those individuals who may need some assistance without any. 

According to the Department of Justice's interpretation of ADA as far as self-serve gas stations go, if necessary to provide access, gas stations must provide assistance upon the request of an individual with a disability. However, if only one employee is on duty, the employee is encouraged but not required to provide assistance. Employees of the gas station must also let motorists know through appropriate signage that those with disabilities can request assistance by honking a horn or whatever system that gas station has developed. 

Have you found yourself at the pump with no assistance? Let us know your story on our Facebook page linked HERE! 

Aging In Place! A Trend for Baby Boomers!

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

More and more baby boomers are quickly beginning to prepare for retirement. Some chose to move to traditional assisted living facilities and senior homes, while others may choose to move in with family members.

There are also select groups that choose to stay in their homes for as long as possible. These individuals may need to incorporate some changes into their home to make sure it is a safe and comfortable living environment for a senior citizen. There is a new trend being seen in the remodeling and interior design community referred to as “aging in place.” This new type of design tackles these issues head on and represents a move toward a more holistic building project that incorporates future-oriented planning through architecture and interior design.

If baby boomers are opting to stay in their current homes, there are a couple of ways they can make their houses more comfortable for years to come. Individuals can incorporate wider doorways and roll-in showers to accommodate seniors with walkers or wheelchairs.

There are numerous amounts of baby boomers retiring every single day who want to maintain their freedom and stay in their current homes. Contractors and builders across the country are working on incorporating “aging in place” into many new innovative plans for the boomer generation!

What are your thoughts on “aging in place?” Let us know on ADA Lifestyles Facebook page linked HERE!

App Contest To Help Improve Employment Opportunities for Disabled!

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

The Department of Labor (DOL) is sponsoring an app contest to improve employment for people with disabilities. The app contest is honoring the winner with $10,000 in cash prizes!

Submission for the app contest must be received by August 23, 2012. The contest is sought out to help build innovative tools to improve employment opportunities for those with disabilities. The app challenge is also requiring contestants to help build publically available information, tools, resources, and employment data to build tools that promote employment for the disabled.

Would you consider being a contestant in this contest? Let us know on ADA Lifestyles Facebook page linked HERE! 

Tips To Help Disabled Prepare For A Disaster

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

In the event of emergencies such as floods, fires, tornadoes or hurricanes, those individuals with disabilities need to be prepared to get out of their homes as quickly and safely as possible.  Therefore, they need to be prepared.

Preparing for a disaster for those people living with a disabilities is slightly more difficult than those individuals with fully-able bodies.

Here are some tips to help disabled individuals prepare for a disaster in the even that one may occur:

·         Practice getting out of the house quickly at least twice a year.

·         Discuss any special needs with a local emergency-medical-services provider.

·         Plan where to go for shelter and how to get there, and who may need to provide you with assistance.

·         Compile an emergency-preparedness kit that can last 24 to 48 hours. It should include items such as medication lists, contact numbers, medications, catheter supplies and a first-aid kit.

·         Think about shelter and supplies for your service animal.

Do you have any additional tips? Let us know on ADA Lifestyles Facebook page linked HERE! 

Washington State Students Invent Tricycle for Students with Disabilities

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

Recently, a group of high school students in Washington State helped in creating a computer-controlled tricycle for a fellow student with spina bifida and other students with physical disabilities and limitations.

Kalyz Lara was thrilled with the tricycle along with her family who were extremely relieved that Kalyz would now be able to ride the trike when she’s feeling too tired to walk.

The group of student inventors responsible for creating the tricycle received a $9,985 grant from a Massachusetts Institute of Technology program.

The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam program grants money each year to a handful of teams across the country to create and complete a year-long invention project that aims to help a real world problem or challenge. These students at Lynden High School were the only ones in Washington State to receive the grant.

The tricycle contains a carbon fiber chassis, two wheels in the back and one wheel in the front that uses a hydraulic lean mechanism which is controlled by an Arduino computer chip! 

The Campaign for Disability Employment Awareness Videos Announced the Winners!

ADA LIFESTYLES

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

Last month, The Campaign for Disability Employment  (CDE), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, chose the winning videos for their contest entitled “What can YOU do”.

The contest was a nationwide one which challenged filmmakers to come up with a disability employment awareness video that reflects the diversity of skills that those with disabilities possess. Often times, individuals with disabilities skills are misconceived by employers.

The contest winners were selected in three categories including employer, youth and general public. Contestants were judged on originality, content, reflection of campaign themes and categories, production value, impact and accessibility.

The winner of the employer category is, Adam Dylewski of Washington, D.C., and the Chemists with Disabilities Committee of the American Chemical Society were recognized for their video, "Chemists with Disabilities: We All Can." The video, which features chemists with disabilities sharing the value and talent they bring to their industry, demonstrates ACS' leadership on the issue of disability employment and the benefits of fostering a work culture welcoming of the talents of all individuals, including workers with disabilities.

The winner of the youth category is Jake Johnson of Clarence, N.Y., for his video "What WILL You Do?" The video illustrates the importance of developing and reaching goals and believing in oneself.

Lastly, in the general public category, the winner was Dylan Johanson of Rosendale, N.Y., for his video "Challenge Your Assumptions." The video shares the true story of Margaret, a school cafeteria employee who helped a child who was choking, potentially saving her life. Margaret is a hard-working and valued employee who has a disability. 

CDE is encouraging everyone to watch these videos and to share them with your friends and family to spread awareness!

What do you think about the contest? Will you watch the videos and share with your friends? Let us know on ADA Lifestyles Facebook page linked here!