“Many people think that children with autism need the exact same routine every single day, but the reality is that preparing our child for real life means that she needs to be able to handle change and RVing offers the familiarity of home with the therapy of travel.”

DAVIE, Fla. (PRWEB)
September 04, 2020

Gigi Stetler, CEO of RV Sales of Broward and founder of the non-profit RV Advisor Consumer Association (RVACA), donated an RV to YouTube stars and full-time RVers the RV Odd Couple as part of RVACA’s new initiative RVs for Autism.

After the success of RVACA’s coronavirus assistance funds in helping frontline workers, the new RVs for Autism fund will provide families with autistic children free RVs so they can travel safely in a familiar environment while introducing their children to different parts of the country.

This is an important cause to the RV Odd Couple, John and Mercedes Condon, as their daughter, 4-year-old Sage, was recently diagnosed with autism.

“We feel like we have a responsibility to foster awareness of how therapeutic RVing is for autistic children and their families,” said John and Mercedes Condon. “Many people think that children with autism need the exact same routine every single day, but the reality is that preparing our child for real life means that she needs to be able to handle change and RVing offers the familiarity of home with the therapy of travel.”

When Stetler heard about their daughter’s diagnosis and how RV travel could be an effective form of therapy, Stetler knew she had the perfect way to help.

“We were initially talking about how we could partner to protect RV consumers’ rights through RV Advisor, but when they told me about their daughter’s diagnosis and that they were looking to get an RV, I immediately said ‘I have an RV for you,’” said Stetler.

Without delay, Stetler began preparing a Class C RV for donation with bunkbeds for Sage and a master bedroom for John and Mercedes. Yesterday, September 3rd, the RV Odd Couple picked up their RV and filmed a reveal video for their nearly 100,000 subscribers.

“I’m excited for them to be able to share these camping experiences with their daughter knowing that she’ll always have a familiar place to call home,” said Stetler.

To donate to the RVs for Autism Fund or to apply for an RV, please visit here.

About Gigi Stetler

A fearless entrepreneur, Gigi Stetler created and leads the first female-owned RV company in the United States, RV Sales of Broward. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, she is one of a handful of top RV experts in the country. Stetler also launched and runs The RV Advisor– an online platform to effectively connect millions of RV owners, dealers, and service centers that is considered the “Angie’s List” of the RV industry. Stetler is also the founder of the non-profit RV Advisor Consumer Association (RVACA), which provides RVs to healthcare workers who need a safe space to quarantine and isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“We see modest improvements in the employment-to-population ratio for people with and without disabilities, reflecting a recovery of economic activity,” said John O’Neill, PhD, director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. (PRWEB)
September 04, 2020

Kessler Foundation and University of New Hampshire nTIDE Report—featuring The Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Education for People with Disabilities (CEED) Project, an evidence-based, comprehensive entrepreneurship education and training program for people with disabilities and service providers in Illinois

August job numbers show improvement for Americans with disabilities, according to today’s National Trends in Disability Employment – Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). Experts express caution due to the many factors that could affect economic recovery.

nTIDE COVID Update (month-to-month comparison)

In the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Jobs Report released Friday, the employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 28.1 percent in July to 28.8 percent in August 2020 (up 2.5 percent or 0.7 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio also increased from 68.4 percent in July to 69.7 percent in August 2020 (up 1.9 percent or 1.3 percentage points). The employment-to-population ratio, a key indicator, reflects the percentage of people who are working relative to the total population (the number of people working divided by the number of people in the total population multiplied by 100).

Comparing month-to-month numbers (July 2020 to August 2020), “We see modest improvements in the employment-to-population ratio for people with and without disabilities, reflecting a recovery of economic activity,” said John O’Neill, PhD, director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation. “This is particularly encouraging for people with disabilities, who experienced a slight downturn last month,” he added.

The labor force participation rate for working-age people with disabilities increased from 33 percent in July to 33.6 percent in August 2020 (up 1.8 percent or 0.6 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the labor force participation rate also decreased from 76.4 percent in July to 76.1 percent in August 2020 (down 0.4 percent or 0.3 percentage points). The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the population that is working, not working and on temporary layoff, or not working and actively looking for work.

“The modest increase in the labor force participation rate is also a good sign, compared to the decrease we saw last month,” said economist Andrew Houtenville, PhD, professor of economics and research director of the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. “It suggests that workers are staying engaged in the labor force, meaning they are employed, on temporary layoff, or actively looking for work. While the numbers are positive, caution is warranted,” he added. “There are many factors that could affect recovery over the next few months, including the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19.”

nTIDE August COVID Update – Friday, September 18 at 12:00 pm Eastern

Stay tuned for more about the employment of people with disabilities as we follow the impact of COVID-19 and look at the numbers in more detail.

Traditional nTIDE Numbers (comparison to the same time last year)

The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 32 percent in August 2019 to 28.8 percent in August 2020 (down 10 percent or 3.2 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio also decreased from 74.6 percent in August 2019 to 69.7 percent in August 2020 (down 6.6 percent or 4.9 percentage points).

The labor force participation rate for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 34.7 percent in August 2019 to 33.6 percent in August 2020 (down 3.2 percent or 1.1 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the labor force participation rate also decreased from 77.4 percent in August 2019 to 76.1 percent in August 2020 (down 1.7 percent or 1.3 percentage points).

For reference, in August 2020, among workers ages 16-64, the 4,178,000 workers with disabilities represented 3 percent of the total 137,553,000 workers in the U.S.

Beyond the Numbers

As the nation continues to grapple with the effects of the ongoing pandemic, intense pressures are transforming every aspect of society, including education, government, health care, business, and employment. For all Americans, the world of work is changing rapidly, requiring workers to consider all the options for staying in the labor force. Starting one’s own business is an option that gains traction during periods of recession, according to Kate Caldwell, PhD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Disability & Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Innovation is a necessity for people with disabilities, who are accustomed to finding ways to overcome challenges in daily life. Self-employment and entrepreneurship offer a pathway for individuals to apply their ingenuity in the workforce and strive for financial self-sufficiency on their own terms. The impact of self-employment and entrepreneurship extend beyond the direct economic benefits for individuals with disabilities. Creating new businesses often means providing new products and services and developing solutions to challenges faced by people with and without disabilities.

Policies and programs that support disability-owned businesses are critical to maximizing the potential for job growth in this area. When entrepreneurs with disabilities succeed, they create jobs for people with disabilities. Dr. Caldwell serves on the project team for The Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Education for People with Disabilities (CEED) Project, which offers an evidence-based, comprehensive entrepreneurship education and training program for people with disabilities and service providers working in disability community agencies and small business development centers in Illinois. Using a person-centered approach, the program targets the specific needs and barriers experienced by people with disabilities looking to start or grow a business.

The CEED Project projects the potential for entrepreneurship to create U.S. jobs. Based on data showing 10% self-employment among workers with disabilities, there are an estimated 850,000 entrepreneurs. If 65% of their businesses survived, and they were able to hire one person, more than 550,000 jobs would be created for people with disabilities. Sustainable businesses would continue to add workers each year, and build capacity to fuel community development and support social missions, helping address the poverty that underlies social inequities.

Given the evolving economic conditions, programs such as The CEED Project are critical to keeping options open for workers with disabilities. “There are many uncertainties about the future of work,” notes Dr. Caldwell, “Acquiring the skills to start and grow a business is an important way for people with disabilities to prepare for that future.”

Ask Questions about Disability and Employment

Join our nTIDE Lunch & Learn series today, September 4, at 12:00 pm Eastern. This live broadcast, hosted via Zoom Webinar, offers attendees Q&A on the latest nTIDE findings, provides news and updates from the field, as well as invited panelists to discuss current disability-related findings and events. For this episode, Kate Caldwell, PhD, Department of Disability & Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago joins Dr. Houtenville, Dr. O’Neill, and Denise Rozell, Policy Strategist at AUCD. Join live or watch the recordings at: ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE.

NOTE: The statistics in the nTIDE are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers but are not identical. They are customized by UNH to combine the statistics for men and women of working age (16 to 64). nTIDE is funded, in part, by grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) (90RT5037) and Kessler Foundation.

About Kessler Foundation

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes — including employment — for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. For more information, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

About the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire

The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. For information on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, visit ResearchonDisability.org.

For more information, or to interview an expert, contact:

Carolann Murphy, 973.324.8382, CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, two in three people diagnosed with arthritis are younger than 65. In fact, 300,000 children are living with the disease, including Chil Wellness’ founder’s daughter Aspen.

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB)
September 01, 2020

Chil Wellness, a new-generation wellness company that formulates high-quality CBD products to assist others with a more healthy, active lifestyle, today announced a year-long partnership with the Arthritis Foundation as a proud sponsor. The partnership will support scientific research and advocacy for people living with arthritis.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, two in three people diagnosed with arthritis are younger than 65. In fact, 300,000 children are living with the disease, including Chil Wellness’ founder’s daughter Aspen.

When the founder Kevin DeMeritt learned his daughter, Aspen had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at 18-months-old, he teamed up with farmers and scientists who helped him find natural, safe solutions to help with Aspen’s flare ups. At the same time, the DeMeritt family became very involved with the Arthritis Foundation early on to help raise money for the awareness of arthritis. Eventually, Kevin learned about CBD and its potential for relief. When he added CBD into the formulas he already had for Aspen, it worked even better for her. 12-years later, Chil Wellness launched with its first CBD salve to restore the health and joy of consumers.

“After years of research and development, we are joining forces with the Arthritis Foundation to help people living with arthritis or pain find relief and elevate their quality of life,” said Kevin DeMeritt, founder of Chil Wellness. “We are on a mission to help people find relief, joy and movement again. The journey to helping my daughter has become a journey to help others. It is truly a blessing to have this opportunity.”

In 2019, the Arthritis Foundation released its first CBD guidance for adults living with arthritis to address top questions. The medical experts that put together the clinical guidelines did state that CBD may help with arthritis-related symptoms, which is exactly why Chil Wellness was founded – to help individuals (with arthritis) live a healthier, happier lifestyle.

“The Arthritis Foundation represents the voice and needs of people with arthritis. We welcome new treatment options because no single drug, supplement or therapy works for everyone,” said Ann McNamara, Arthritis Foundation senior vice president Development and Community Giving. “Managing pain affects every aspect of an individual’s life. That’s why we appreciate the innovative way that Chil Wellness is helping people living with pain to live their best life.”

For every purchase of a topical product by August 31, 2021, Chil Wellness will donate a portion of the sales towards the Arthritis Foundation, with a minimum contribution of $100,000. So far, the wellness company has donated over 40 thousand dollars to the Foundation. Consumers can track the donation progress on https://chilwellness.com.

For more information on the relationship, please visit https://www.arthritis.org/letsgriparthritis/lgga-partners. To learn more about Chil Wellness and its products, visit https://chilwellness.com.

About Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. We lead the fight for the arthritis community and help conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. Our goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life — and making each day another stride towards a cure.

About Chil Wellness

On a mission to help his daughter restore her active lifestyle, Kevin DeMeritt founded Chil Wellness to provide alternative ways to address the aches and discomfort from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis that were robbing his daughter of joy with friends and family. Today, the CBD formulas and products that Chil Wellness has developed are the radiant outcome of love, and they have not stopped since. The company pledges to be transparent with its commitment to using only all-natural ingredients, CBD grown from socially responsible sources and 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back. To learn more about Chil Wellness and its products, visit https://chilwellness.com.

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Map of FSHD Clinical Trial Research Network sites

“With the prospect of a growing number of FSHD clinical trials on the horizon, it will be critical for the CTRN to have the capacity and bandwidth to not only carry out the existing research studies but also successfully recruit and participate in clinical trials.” – Jamshid Arjomand, PhD

LEXINGTON, Mass. (PRWEB)
August 11, 2020

The FSHD Society announced today that it has awarded $300,000 a year to expand the Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trial Research Network (FSHD CTRN), with consideration of follow-on funding of $300,000 a year in 2021 and 2022. The network is a consortium of academic research centers in the United States and Europe with expertise in FSHD clinical research or in neuromuscular clinical trials. Jeffrey Statland, MD, University of Kansas Medical Center, and Rabi Tawil, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center, serve as co-directors of the network. The FSHD CTRN helps close gaps in trial readiness and also provides a network of sites with a centralized streamlined regulatory process, specific, common expertise in FSHD, and an engaged patient population ready to conduct efficient, high quality clinical trials.

Because of its prominent role in clinical trial readiness for FSHD, the CTRN is receiving FSHD Society funding to expand the existing consortium in the United States by four additional sites. The new sites are at the University Florida in Gainesville, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, University of Colorado in Denver, and the Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California. “This funding aims to ensure better coverage and access to patients,” said Jamshid Arjomand, PhD, chief science officer of the Society. “It also provides resources for the effective management and coordination across the entire network.”

The CTRN was formed to create an infrastructure of clinics with the expertise to accelerate therapeutic development for FSHD: by ensuring site training of key personnel; streamlining regulatory oversight and data capture; validating novel clinical outcome measures; and refining clinical trial strategies. Currently the network is running an NIH-funded study named Clinical Trial Readiness to Solve Barriers to Drug Development in FSHD (ReSolve), an 18- to 24-month observational study following 220 individuals with FSHD. The network was initially financed with seed funding from the FSHD Society, as well as other non-profits, and has since been awarded millions in additional funding from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and biotechnology companies that are pursuing therapies for FSHD.

The current CTRN encompasses a total of 15 centers, with 12 sites in the United States and 3 collaborating sites in Europe. The central coordinating center is housed at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and the data and statistical coordinating center is at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “With the prospect of a growing number of FSHD clinical trials on the horizon, it will be critical for the CTRN to have the capacity and bandwidth to not only carry out the existing research studies but also successfully recruit and participate in clinical trials,” said Arjomand.

“We are grateful to the FSHD Society and like-minded organizations that have made it possible for the network to form and carry out studies to help bridge the gaps in clinical trial readiness,” said Jeffrey Statland, MD, associate professor of neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center and co-director of the CTRN. “The additional sites will ensure that the CTRN will be able to meet the goal of trial preparedness and ensure well-trained FSHD clinical centers.”

About the CTRN

The Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trial Research Network (FSHD CTRN) is a consortium of fifteen academic research centers (12 in the United States, and 3 in Europe) with expertise in FSHD clinical research or in conducting neuromuscular clinical trials. These centers leverage existing clinical trials infrastructure: including clinical investigators, research coordinators, study evaluators, and institutional resources like Clinical and Translational Science Research Awards (CTSAs) and local Research Institutes for clinical trial budget and contracting, and Clinical Research Centers, which provide subsidized clinical research space and facilities.

About the FSHD Society

The FSHD Society is the world’s largest research-focused patient organization for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most prevalent forms of muscular dystrophy. The Society has catalyzed major advancements and is accelerating the development of treatments and a cure to end the pain, disability, and suffering endured by one million people worldwide who live with FSHD. The FSHD Society has transformed the landscape for FSHD research and is committed to making sure that no one faces this disease alone. The Society offers a community of support, news, and information through its website at https://www.fshsociety.org.

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Spaulding Youth Center students participate in equine therapy programs.

“Spaulding is honored to receive this grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation,” said Susan C. Ryan, President & CEO of Spaulding Youth Center. “These programs give our students the chance to participate in a fun activity while creating positive therapeutic outcomes.”

NORTHFIELD, N.H. (PRWEB)
August 10, 2020

Spaulding Youth Center is excited to announce it has received a $15,000.00 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. This grant was funded by gifts from the Charitable Foundation’s Daisy Hale Fund. The grant will directly support Spaulding’s equine therapy programs.

Horseback riding and horsemanship serve as a unique and effective form of therapy for Spaulding children and youth facing behavioral, emotional and physical challenges. Children create an emotional bond with the horses and participating in this activity encourages them to build social skills and confidence in a positive atmosphere. Spalding’s board-certified behavioral analysts (BCBAs) use Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to develop and monitor plans for each student to build structure, set goals and promote skill acquisition based on their individual needs and abilities. The grant funding will cover the costs associated with transportation, instruction and materials. Historically, Spaulding students have received programming from both Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center (BITS ETC) and Lakes Region Riding Academy, and Spaulding intends to continue both collaborations.

Located in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, BITS ETC is a 501(c)3 non-profit that offers therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities for people living with disabilities in central New Hampshire. BITS ETC was the first facility in the Northeast to be licensed by SpiritHorse International to offer its award-winning curriculum of special use for riders on the autism spectrum.

Lakes Region Riding Academy, located in Gilford, New Hampshire, is home to Spaulding’s Healing with Horses program. The program provides residential students the opportunity to experience horseback riding in an intimate, calming setting. Students receive personal lessons from founder Julie Lawrence once a week for a four-week session and learn about the care and maintenance of horses.

“Spaulding is honored to receive this grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation,” said Susan C. Ryan, President & CEO of Spaulding Youth Center. “The funds directly support our participation in equine therapy programs in partnership with BITS ETC and Lakes Region Riding Academy. These programs give our students the chance to participate in a fun activity while creating positive therapeutic outcomes. We thank the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for continuing to support our mission.”

Visit https://www.nhcf.org/ to learn more about the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

ABOUT SPAULDING YOUTH CENTER

Spaulding Youth Center is a leading provider of services for children and youth with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning and/or developmental challenges, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and those who have experienced significant trauma, abuse or neglect. Services include academic, residential, clinical, community based, foster care, and family support. Established in 1871 and known as Spaulding Youth Center since 1958, our scenic hilltop campus is located on nearly 500 acres in Northfield, NH and welcomes boys and girls from ages 4 to 21 from around the state of New Hampshire and beyond. Spaulding Youth Center is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For information about Spaulding Youth Center, visit http://www.SpauldingYouthCenter.org.

ABOUT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is New Hampshire’s statewide community foundation, founded in 1962 by and for the people of New Hampshire. The Foundation manages a growing collection of nearly 2,000 funds created by generous individuals, families and businesses, and awards nearly $40 million in grants and more than $6 million in scholarships every year. The Foundation works with generous and visionary citizens to maximize the power of their giving, supports great work happening in our communities and leads and collaborates on high-impact initiatives. For more information, please visit http://www.nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.

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Warehouse CInemas

“We’re excited to reveal our equipment and plans for better closed captioning experiences and open captioning programming.” says Kyle Kops, General Manager of Warehouse Cinemas.

FREDERICK, Md. (PRWEB)
August 03, 2020

Warehouse Cinemas, a locally owned, premium movie theatre company offered a private tour with local advocates for the deaf and hard of hearing moviegoing community on Friday, July 31st. This is part of a continued effort to dialogue and bridge the gap to the 6,000+ deaf and hard of hearing members of the Frederick community to offer the best moviegoing experience possible for all!

“We’re excited to reveal our equipment and plans for better closed captioning experiences and open captioning programming.” says Kyle Kops, General Manager of Warehouse Cinemas.

Warehouse Cinemas promises no more uncomfortable and heavy CC glasses. Their QSC CCR-100 closed caption devices are made to provide each user with a simple and effective CC movie experience. An arm mounted closed caption receiver provides each user with a private display that is attached by an angled flex arm with a base and cupholder. The built-in optics present a distant virtual image to the user so the caption and movie screen can be viewed without refocusing the screen.

Along with the top of the line CC equipment, Warehouse Cinemas plans to also roll out an open caption screening program. They will offer, for example, premium open captioning access for early screenings of big films on traditional opening Thursday nights, whenever possible.

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About Warehouse Cinemas: A venture of HighRock Group, Warehouse Cinemas offers a unique, premium movie going experience by providing first-run movies, dynamic pricing, leather recliner seating, high-quality picture and sound, premium food and drink options, modern-industrial décor, and special community events.

About HighRock Group: HighRock Group is a privately held holding company headquartered in Hagerstown, Maryland. Companies currently under HighRock Group include HighRock Studios, a full-service marketing agency, Warehouse Tap Room, a restaurant and tap house, LeftBrain Technology, a data and marketing automation company, and Warehouse Cinemas. Learn more: highrockgrp.com.

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