Let's Blog Ability

Christmas Gifts for Grandparents

I was having trouble finding that perfect holiday present to give my elderly parents. Last year I gave them robes that I don't think they have taken out of the box. This year I found something that I think they will actually use. It is an amplified phone. With both parents over 75, they lose more and more of their hearing every year. Their hearing isn't quite bad enough to warrant hearing aids, but it is a chore to repeat everything over the phone and I'm sure it frustrates them to constantly have to say "What? Speak up!" to every caller. 

At EnableMart, we carry a line of amplified phones from Clarity that are perfect for people with moderate hearing loss, like my parents. It will be easier for our soft-spoken son to speak to his Grandma & Grandpa with a phone that they can adjust to amplify up to 50 dB. 

I am probably going to get them the Clarity C4230 which includes a headset, answering machine, call waiting, and caller ID. Although my parents won't need it, there are optional bed shakers and flashing lamps to help people with hearing loss answer know when a call is coming in. 

I am really excited about getting the Clarity amplified phone for my elderly parents. I think this is a great gift idea for anyone who is shopping for a senior citizen or another loved one with hearing loss. 

People With Disabilities Contribute to Record Voter Turnout

Many states across the country reported record numbers of votes cast in the presidential election yesterday. With the election over, many people with disabilities were just grateful for the opportunity to vote. 

At EnableMart, we are happy to have contributed to the electoral process in Oregon wit accessible voting stations.

The Help America Vote Act, HAVA, was passed by President Bush on October 29, 2002 - just over six years ago today. HAVA's goals include making the voting process more accessible to people with disabilities. To comply with the act, states are finally implementing assistive technology at the polls.  

Oregon is one such state that came to EnableMart to update the process to include all of their voters. Our sales rep, Cristian, spent a few weeks this past summer setting up voting stations for people with disabilities at polls throughout the state. 

The updates make it possible for people with disabilities to vote from home and to vote at polling places without an assistant. 

Each voting station consists of traditional computers components including a mouse, keyboard, printer, as well as specialty items for accessibility like a trackball mouse, joystick, Intellikeys custom keypad, and USB switches. The set up gives those with low vision, limited muscle control, and other disabilities an easy alternative to traditional voting methods.

The stations are used at polling places but are also portable so many people were able to vote from home this year. This easy access for people with disabilities contributed to a record voter turnout in Oregon with over 80% of those registered actually voting.

EnableMart commends the state of Oregon for creating accessible voter stations that helped many Americans cast their votes this year.