Neurological conditions

Soft robotic wearable restores arm function for people with ALS

Proof-of-concept device is comfortable, safe, easy to use. This soft robotic wearable is capable of significantly assisting upper arm and shoulder movement in people with ALS. Photo credit: Walsh Lab, Harvard SEAS By Kat J. McAlpine, … READ MORE

Wearable brain-machine interface could control a wheelchair, vehicle or computer

Combining new classes of nanomembrane electrodes with flexible electronics and a deep learning algorithm could help disabled people wirelessly control an electric wheelchair, interact with a computer or operate a small robotic vehicle … READ MORE

Jason DaSilva’s new film tackles the unpredictability of MS

Jason DaSilva’s award-winning film, When I Walk, raised awareness of what it is like to live with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Photo by Charlie Samuels Ian Ruder, New Mobility February 22, 2022 Award-winning filmmaker and … READ MORE

Autistic-friendly Scouts group: Calgary families find joy, acceptance and support

Infinity Scouts provides opportunities for achieving goals and family adventures. These beavers and cubs with Infinity Scouts are learning about irrigation and the best ways to transport water. Colleen Underwood CBC CBC News Calgary … READ MORE

Tobii TD Pilot brings gaze-based typing, text-to-speech and app navigation to iPad

TD Pilot is an eye-controlled communication device for iPad. Designed to empower people with conditions such as ALS/MND, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy to communicate and use their favourite apps, this iPadOS-based speech … READ MORE

Plans revealed for $12M disability arts venue in northwest Calgary

National AccessArts Centre to be constructed on Brownsea Drive NW An artist’s rendering shows what the new National accessArts Centre in northwest Calgary will look like. In-Definite Arts Society. CBC CBC News Calgary August 10, … READ MORE

Disabled researcher calls for better support for faculty

Academic institutions need to do much more to support faculty members with disabilities and to create an environment in which they can thrive, argues a commentary published May 18 in the journal Trends in Neurosciences. Breaking … READ MORE

For the health of it: Plagiocephaly and torticollis integrative rehab

Tyler Ryan and Hima Dalal discuss an affliction that can have a lifelong impact. Plagiocephaly and torticollis integrative rehab. Youtube April 6, 2021. Tyler Ryan, ABC Columbia April 6, 2021 LEXINGTON SC (WOLO) – Plagiocephaly … READ MORE

Student develops low-cost device to help people with speech disorders

Individuals with speech disorders often rely on expensive devices to help them communicate with others, but an Illinois Institute of Technology student has developed a cheaper, yet equally effective, alternative. The device will be … READ MORE

Standing frame intervention improves life for people with MS

John Kendrick, from Sparkwell, near Plymouth, has progressive multiple sclerosis, and never thought he’d be able to walk any distance again. Now, thanks to taking part in a clinical trial at the University of Plymouth, he can … READ MORE

A next-gen EEG could help bring back lost brain function

SLAC and Stanford researchers are developing a device that combines electrical brain stimulation with EEG recording, opening potential new paths for treating neurological disorders. Researchers at SLAC and Stanford are developing a … READ MORE

Robotic neck brace dramatically improves functions of ALS patients

Comfortable brace incorporates both sensors and actuators to restore roughly 70% of the active range of motion. A study participant wearing the neck brace. Photo and Video credit: Haohan Zhang and Sunil K. Agrawal, Columbia … READ MORE

Switch Control changed my world

I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to independently send my wife a text for the first time. Meet Todd Stabelfeldt. He’s been using Tecla since February 2014. We asked Todd to share with us his thoughts since introducing Tecla … READ MORE

DIY tools TalkBox and SenseBox help people with disabilities to communicate

The new devices, developed by a collaborative team based in the US, Canada, and Kenya, are easy to use and allow people in different cultural contexts to quickly enhance their ability to communicate. Figure 1. The first prototype (top … READ MORE

The curious case of Charles Krauthammer

Charles Krauthammer, Pulitzer-prize winning columnist for The Washington Post, best-selling author, Fox News commentator and well-respected conservative rhetorician, died on June 21 after an aggressive return of cancer following … READ MORE

Jason DaSilva’s “The Disability Trap” is beautiful and infuriating

The acclaimed documentary filmmaker and New Mobility’s 2014 Person of the Year, Jason DaSilva, just released a powerful new documentary in collaboration with The New York Times. Jason DaSilva on Vimeo By Seth McBride, New Mobility … READ MORE

How the iPhone and App Store have redefined accessible software

Everyone acknowledges the societal and technological effects the iPhone has had on the world. In late 2007, Time named the original model its “invention of the year,” and rightfully proclaimed it “the phone that … READ MORE

Researchers harness virtual reality, motion capture to study neurological disorders

Neuroscientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center, URMC have a powerful new state-of-the-art tool to study diseases like Autism, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injury. The Mobile Brain/Body Imaging system, or MoBI, … READ MORE

We’re on our own: Home health care workers report inadequate support from employers

Home health care work is not only physically demanding, but also emotionally taxing. Last station nursing home. Ulrich Joho photo, November 7, 2009. Flickr City University of New York September 4, 2018 Home care workers do an … READ MORE

With a few small adjustments, these kids experience the joy of sport

Active Living offers adapted sports camp for youth of all abilities. Campers take part in a new adapted camp at the University of Calgary, on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. Justina Contenti, Faculty of Kinesiology By Justina Contenti for the … READ MORE

New gym created to help people with disabilities stay fit

UFIT is a fitenss center in Dublin Ohio that provides people with special neurological, developmental, or physical needs the opportunity to workout in a gym this adaptable for them. Owner Peggy Mills, second from right, oversees the … READ MORE

Two-thirds of Albertans with developmental disabilities unemployed

The majority of Albertans with developmental disabilities are not employed, in part, because employers aren’t aware of how to properly bring in — and keep — these workers on-the-job. By Brennan Doherty, StarMetro Calgary June … READ MORE

First look at how children with cerebral palsy develop language skills

A new study of children with cerebral palsy could help ease the speech and language challenges many of these children face as they get older. The Hustad lab studies how speech, language, and communication abilities develop and change … READ MORE

Mayo Clinic researchers uncover methods to quantify the yips and golfer’s cramp

The findings could open the door to improved treatment options. Banff Springs Golf Course and Hotel. Banff, Alberta. Jim McVeigh, Mayo Clinic News Network July 19, 2018 SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Almost every golfer knows the feeling. … READ MORE

Disability arts group returns ‘home’ with plans for new campus

Indefinite Arts Centre was forced out of its home when the adjacent Fairview Arena roof caved in. Jung-Suk Ryu, of the Indefinite Arts Centre, says that the organization is happy to be back in its space in Fairview in southeast … READ MORE

Child care providers often lack the training, resources to serve children with disabilities

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law nearly 30 years ago, a recent statewide survey of child care providers and early interventionists in Illinois suggests little has changed with regard to promoting the … READ MORE

Headset allows persons to point to objects using their eyes

People with disabilities such as ALS, spinal injury or Lou Gehrig’s disease, often lose use of their legs, arms or hands. Even at advanced stages of the disease, one may still retain movement in their eyes. Experimental eye tracking … READ MORE

How music helps rehab patients learn to move again

‘Music is part of the most complex auditory language the brain ever invented.’ Music therapist Jennifer Buchanan works with post-stroke patient Alan Hubbard at the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured in … READ MORE

Leg exercise is critical to brain and nervous system health

In a new take on the exercise truism ‘use it or lose it,’ researchers show neurological health is an interactive relationship with our muscles and our world. MabelAmber Pixabay CC0 Frontiers in Neuroscience, Science Daily … READ MORE

Dance aids healthier ageing

Queensland Ballet and QUT today released the results of a joint project examining the health and wellbeing benefits of ballet for older Australians. Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin leads a Ballet for Seniors class. Ali … READ MORE

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