“We have been making these products for children for the past four years and realized more than half our customers are adults in wheelchairs. We chose to make bags for veterans, as our entire team has family in the military,” says company founder and CEO Lisa Radcliffe.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PRWEB)
March 02, 2020

PUNKINFUTZ ENTERS THE ADULT ADAPTIVE NEEDS MARKET

With Every Wheel Carry Accessory Bags

Designed for Adults in Wheelchairs

Formally Launches TODAY

With the virtual beat of a drum and the blare of a trumpet, PunkinFutz, the company that creates award winning and innovative sensory play products and accessories for children with adaptive needs, formally enters the adult category today with the introduction of Every Wheel Carry accessory bags. The bags will help lifelong and new wheelchair users keep critical items at hand including wallets, phones and licenses.

Leading up to today’s announcement, Every Wheel Carry recently partnered with the NYC Department of Veteran’s Services and the James J. Peters Veteran’s Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Unit (Bronx, New York) to provide the bags to their clients for testing and review.

“We have been making these products for children for the past four years,” says company founder and CEO Lisa Radcliffe, “and realized that more than half of our customers are actually adults in wheelchairs. We specifically chose to make bags for veterans, as our entire team has family in the military. It is our way to recognize their service and to give back.” Radcliffe’s brother is a Colonel in the Army.

“The bag, itself, is very innovative. It’s very convenient,” says Julius Brice, Army veteran, vocalist, writer and producer. “Every Wheel Carry came to my VA hospital (James L. Peters), gave bags to veterans and asked for our feedback. I really believe in this project. The fact that the company is giving opportunity to other disabled people, who produce these bags, is just icing on the cake.”

All Every Wheel Carry bags are made in the United States by adults in adaptive work environments and Every Wheel Carry employs a fully adaptive workforce.

In 2018, there were 19.2 million men and women veterans in the United States, 90% of whom are men.1 There are nearly 85,000 veterans in wheelchairs today.2

“The opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life for wheelchair users, and especially veterans, is vital,” says Radcliffe. “Our goal is to ultimately create a positive environment where adults with disabilities can work and thrive. We want our staff to be empowered by their work experience,” says Radcliffe. “The way we employ is central to our mission as a company.”

“I think more people should be aware of what our employees are capable of doing,” says Melissa Rassmussen, of the Michael J. Raymond Resource Center in Jamestown, NY. “We do our best to employ individuals with all types of disabilities, who help with the production of Every Wheel Carry. “This gives our staff the opportunity to work and to be independent.”

“All bags are put through quality control and then packaged for shipping in our Brooklyn headquarters,” adds Radcliffe. “After we decide that that the bags are of a quality we would put our name on, we ship them out. Our next step is always to go back to those who use the products to drive our next round of design.”

Created for both manual and motorized wheelchairs, as well as scooters and walkers, Every Wheel Carry bags are water resistant; made of highly reflective fabrics created for the U.S. military and first responders; ensure easy access with reinforced pull zippers and Velcro straps; and are durable and washable to make for easy cleaning and use. They feature a grey background and a large hook strip to support your favorite patch. An American flag or choice of military branch patch is available on the website.

The bags retail for $35.95 and can be purchased exclusively at http://www.everywheelcarry.com.

About Every Wheel Carry

Every Wheel Carry is produced by PunkinFutz, an award-winning brand dedicated to changing the experience of children and adults with a broad range of physical, sensory, developmental and emotional needs. All Every Wheel Carry and PunkinFutz original products are manufactured in the U.S. in supportive and adaptive workplaces using the highest quality materials and responsible sourcing.

1 https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/vet.pdf

2 https://www.forwardfree.org/wheelchair-bound-veterans/

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We have worked diligently with our partners and collaboratively with the Ohio Department of Education to reach a comprehensive settlement that delivers what the law requires, a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (PRWEB)
March 03, 2020

The Honorable Judge Michael H. Watson of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has granted final approval to a comprehensive settlement agreement in the class action Doe v. State of Ohio, case number 2:91-cv-00464. Disability Rights Ohio, the Judge Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson worked with the Ohio Department of Education to reach a settlement that will improve the State’s support for special education throughout Ohio and support improvement in student outcomes. In addition, the settlement will provide intensive support to 11 of Ohio’s school districts to secure measurable improvements in student performance and inclusion for children with disabilities. The settlement will be in effect for five years.

“This is a monumental day for Ohio’s students with disabilities,“ said Kerstin Sjoberg, Disability Rights Ohio Executive Director. “We have worked diligently with our partners and collaboratively with the Ohio Department of Education to reach a comprehensive settlement that delivers what the law requires, a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities. The plan will enhance academic achievement, promote inclusion and improve the supports students with disabilities receive in school. After years of litigation, this settlement will improve outcomes for students with disabilities in real and concrete ways and that is cause for celebration.”

The settlement commits the State to improving rates of integrating students with disabilities in general education settings, and improving their academic achievement, particularly in the 11 districts where experts found systemic denials of a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE). The settlement will also focus on the educational foundation of literacy and language as well as improving special education services to students with disabilities, by, among other things, emphasizing the use of assistive technology and universal design for learning (“UDL”). The latter is a way of teaching that uses different methods to teach the same material so as many students as possible understand what is being taught. Both help students with disabilities fully participate in the classroom and succeed in school.

An Advisory Group will assess the state’s progress and determine whether the required outcomes are being achieved. If they aren’t, the plan will include mechanisms for modifications. There is also a dispute resolution process that allows DRO and its co-counsel to bring concerns to the Ohio Department of Education and, ultimately the Court, if the state is not meeting the settlement’s objectives.

Tweet This: Judge approves @DisabilityRightsOhio and the Ohio Department of Education groundbreaking settlement to improve the integration and academic achievement of Ohio students with disabilities. Details at http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org

About Disability Rights Ohio

Disability Rights Ohio is the federally and state designated Protection and Advocacy System and Client Assistance Program for the state of Ohio. The mission of Disability Rights Ohio is to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio. Disability Rights Ohio provides legal advocacy and rights protection to a wide range of people with disabilities. Find more information at disabilityrightsohio.org.

About The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national legal advocacy organization protecting and advancing the rights of people with mental disabilities. The Center promotes laws and policies that enable people with mental disabilities to live independently in their own homes and communities, and to enjoy the same opportunities that everyone else does.

For more information, visit http://www.bazelon.org.

About Steptoe & Johnson

For over 100 years Steptoe & Johnson LLP has earned an international reputation for vigorous and successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and for creative representation of clients before government agencies and in business transactions. Pro bono service at Steptoe and fostering the public interest in major cases like the present matter, is an integral part of the firm’s ethos, history, and operations.

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A $14,000 grant will help adults with intellectual disabilities develop new skills and participate in paid work through expansion of Camphill Communities Ontario’s maple syrup social enterprise.

“As we celebrate the Camphill movement’s 80-year legacy of compassion and inclusion, our Board of Directors is pleased to award so many 2020 grants focused on extending Camphill’s impact far into the future,” said Karen Murphy, Executive Director of Camphill Foundation.

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. (PRWEB)
March 03, 2020

Camphill Foundation today announced that it will award $375,000 to 17 Camphill communities, affiliates, and organizations worldwide in 2020. The funds will be delivered through grants aligned with Camphill Foundation’s mission of supporting, strengthening, and safeguarding the Camphill movement, and are designated for initiatives that meet recipients’ pressing needs.

Camphill Foundation’s 2020 grants include:

Capital Needs

• * Camphill Village Kimberton Hills (Kimberton, PA) will receive $32,000 toward the construction of a new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) building, helping the community expand its successful Sankanac CSA enterprise while providing community members with nutritious food and meaningful work opportunities.
• * As part of two-year renewable grant, Camphill Ghent (Chatham, NY) will receive $30,000 to install a state-of-the-art fire safety system that provides the community’s vulnerable elder population with the highest level of fire security and protection.
• * As part of a three-year renewable grant, Camphill Communities California (Soquel, CA) will receive $25,000 to install solar panels on its properties, equipping the community to manage ongoing energy crises in northern California while improving future sustainability.
• * Plowshare Farm (Greenfield, NH) will receive $10,000 for the construction of a 480-foot accessible path connecting households, workshop areas, and community centers.
• * Triform Camphill Community (Hudson, NY) will receive $6,000 toward the purchase of a multi-passenger, energy-efficient vehicle to provide safe travel between Triform’s main campus and its Stewardship Community.

Capacity Building:

• * As part of a three-year renewable grant, Glenora Farm (Duncan, British Columbia) will receive $25,000 to create a new administrative assistant position, which will reduce volunteer coworkers’ administrative workloads and allow them to focus exclusively on program and community member support.
• * Raphael Village (New Orleans, LA) will receive $15,000 to build community awareness by increasing its outreach coordinator’s weekly hours, and to expand skills of faculty and volunteer coworkers through new training opportunities.
• * Camphill Communities Ontario (Angus, Canada) will receive $14,000 to expand and update its maple syrup production social enterprise, through which adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities develop new skills and participate in paid work opportunities.
• * Camphill Hudson (Hudson, NY) will receive $10,000 to fund a software implementation that streamlines volunteer coworker scheduling and paperwork, bolstering efficiency and compliance while enabling workers to dedicate more time to direct community support.
• * Camphill Foundation Canada will receive $8,000 for a 2020 planned giving campaign that will help sustain the Camphill movement in Canada by securing donors who wish to support Camphill beyond their lifetimes.
• * Heartbeet Lifesharing (Hardwick, VT) will receive $8,000 to launch an endowment campaign that enables the community to build a strong financial future.

International

• * East-West Exchange Fund (Asia) will receive $48,000 for residential renovations and repairs at Camphill Sadhana in India, as well as funding for volunteer coworker training, educational tools and resources, and other vital needs at Camphill communities in Asia.
• * Camphill Agualinda (Colombia), an emerging Camphill community, will receive $10,000 in core programmatic support.
• * Respirar Comunidad (Argentina) will receive $9,000 to fund program expansion, including acquisition of music rehearsal and workshop space and staff training.
• * Camphill Nodibinājums Rožkalni (Latvia) will receive $5,000 for the repair and refurbishment of facilities where volunteer coworkers and villagers live and work.

Regional Capacity Building

• * The Camphill Association of North America (Ghent, NY) will receive $75,000, the fourth installment of a five-year award, to strengthen regional operations, volunteer coworker development, research and policy initiatives, and community development.
• * Camphill Academy (Glenmoore, PA) will receive $45,000, the third installment of a five-year award, to support day-to-day operations, training, and ongoing curricula and leadership development.

“As we celebrate the Camphill movement’s 80-year legacy of compassion and inclusion, our Board of Directors is pleased to award so many 2020 grants focused on extending Camphill’s impact far into the future,” said Karen Murphy, Executive Director of Camphill Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to our donors and supporters, whose generosity makes this important work possible.”

Since 1966, Camphill Foundation has provided more than $10 million in strategic grants and low-interest loans to Camphill communities. Camphill Foundation’s grantmaking program is funded by donor appeals, as well as the Camphill Foundation Annual Gala.

Camphill Foundation accepts grant requests from existing Camphill communities and affiliates. Priority is given to Camphill organizations in North America, though special consideration is afforded to communities in high-need areas of the world. Visit http://www.camphillfoundation.org/grantmaking/ for details about Camphill Foundation’s grantmaking program.

About Camphill Foundation

Founded in 1966 to support two fledgling Camphill communities in New York and Pennsylvania, Camphill Foundation has grown dramatically over the past six decades. Today, its mission is to grow, strengthen, and safeguard the Camphill movement at 15 Camphill communities and affiliates in the United States and Canada. Camphill Foundation accomplishes this mission through strategic grants and low-interest loans that help grow and sustain the Camphill movement. Visit http://www.camphillfoundation.org for more information.

About the Camphill Movement

Camphill is a worldwide movement of vibrant lifesharing communities that provide a unique model of care for persons with special needs. The Camphill movement draws inspiration from the principles of anthroposophy. In valuing the profound significance of each human being, practicing the art of daily living, and emphasizing mindfulness of man’s responsibility to the earth, the Camphill movement offers a model of renewal for the wider society. Learn more about the Camphill movement and Camphill communities in North America at the Camphill Association of North America’s website at http://www.camphill.org.

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