Accessible and inclusive playgrounds are becoming the new standard across the country, whether they’re in public parks or your backyard. If you’re a parent looking to set something up in your backyard, this guide should give you a great head start on how to find the right equipment and make an accessible setup. If you’re a planner for your local …
Parent and Caregiver Guide to Driving with a Child who has Special Needs
Traveling can be challenging for any family, but traveling with children who have autism spectrum disorder and other special needs can present unique challenges. Travel can also bring joy to kids with special needs and enable families to have memorable experiences and connections with loved ones. Parenting children who have special needs can be complex and costly, but that doesn’t …
Financial and Estate Planning for Children with Special Needs
Parents of children with special needs know that each day brings small and large victories. Parenting children with special needs also comes with unique challenges, including increased financial responsibilities and more complex planning requirements for the future. The cost of therapies, medical procedures, equipment and caregiving — on top of wages lost as a result of caretaking duties — can …
Talking to Children about Cancer
A cancer diagnosis can be very difficult for a family to navigate. It can be especially difficult to tell your child that their loved one has terminal cancer. That said, there are many ways to support your children as they face the challenge of a sick loved one. Learn more about tips you can use when talking to your children …
A Parent’s Guide to Safe Outdoor Play for Children with Autism
Outdoor play has profound benefits for children. Beyond physical activity, outdoor play contributes to a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, improves sensory skills, and boosts moods and concentration.Unfortunately for children with autism and other special needs, the outdoors is also fraught with risk. So how can parents design safe outdoor spaces where special needs children can play worry-free? Let …
A Guide to Flying for People with Disabilities
Traveling by plane is one of the fastest and safest methods of getting to a destination, but noisy airports, narrow airplane aisles and baggage restrictions can make flying challenging, especially when you have a disability that limits your mobility or ease of communication. Whether you have an ongoing disability or a temporary injury, you may encounter extra difficulties while flying. …
Navigating the Workplace – Tips for Women with Disabilities
Although women and minorities — including people with disabilities — are making great strides in the name of equality, there is still a long way to go. Pursuing a thriving professional career isn’t always easy. Navigating a workplace environment as a woman with a disability is wrought with prejudice and inaccessibility. So we’ve pulled together some great resources to help …
Guide to Special Needs Trusts
A special needs trust (sometimes called a supplemental needs trust) is designed to allow individuals with special needs to access additional funds without risking the loss of their government benefits. Many people with special needs face numerous expenses due to their disability or impairment. At the same time, these individuals also often rely on government benefits such as Medicaid benefits …
Tips for Coping with COVID Stress
COVID-19 is upending the lives of every American. Many public health officials remain cautious, anticipating the need to continue prevention efforts for an extended time. For people with disabilities, the impact can be severe, increasing barriers to accessing critical public health information, healthcare and support services. The coronavirus brings new challenges as well such as difficulty engaging in preventative measures …
Sensory-Friendly Home Modifications for Kids with Special Needs
When you have a child or family member on the autism spectrum, creating a safe and functional home environment is an important task. Autism can have a huge impact on an individual’s development, lifestyle, and social connections. People on the spectrum can be particularly sensitive to lights, sounds, and other stimuli. Many crave order and routines to make sense of the world. …