Regarding enABLES
in general
"Great site to provide info, dispel myths, decrease stereotypes."
"[I] like the site’s simplicity and format, making it
easy for both professionals and laymen to read."
"the use of AAC in functional activities is very helpful in
giving families, teachers, etc. ideas on helping enrich an individual’s
life"
"Video clips are especially effective with profiles to make
AAC users appear as people they are rather than clients, patients,
or even consumers."
"Real life examples are helpful."
"User-friendly, easy to navigate and informative."
"You found a perfect balance between explaining the information
on AAC while at the same time illustrating and making it easy to understand
and integrate into what one already knows.
Note: We have removed any names or identifying
information from these comments to be fair to all those profiled on
our site. All changes are shown within brackets, in italics.
"What you are doing is important, and I like how your site's
structure encourages people to get the message(s) rather than objectifying
the individuals in the clips."
"Thank you for sharing the web site. I went and visited and
read about [one young man]. If anyone wants an inspirational
story, go to the site and read about him. I have a daughter who is
similarly involved and this story helps me realize that there is a
very bright future for her.”
"Living in a rural area AAC users and their families need to
‘see’ and read about others who have been successful in
life despite their language and physical issues. This gives hope."
"I read the profile and saw the video about [one woman]
and realized that she lives in my neighborhood! So, last Friday, when
I saw her out on an errand, I struck up a conversation with her for
the first time. It was wonderful to talk to her in person."
"I read the profile of [one man] and was struck not
only by his talent, but also by his proactive personality. Many people
back away from difficult tasks, regardless of whether or not they
have a disability; however, [he] has not only found ways
to improve his life, he has also become an advocate for other people
in his situation."
"[This gentleman] seems to have learned how to work
with his disability, rather than live at odds with it, and it seems
to have helped him create a very successful life for himself."
"Your website is great. It helped me get up the courage to talk
to a young man who rides my bus every afternoon. He has a severe speech
impairment, but we were able to talk during the ride. I found out
that he works downtown and lives in the University District. I'll
see him in a completely different way from now on."
"Her no-nonsense demeanor and stubborn independence struck me
as familiar traits I see in myself. "
"I was impressed with [her] ability to temper her frustration
with communicating with the non-disabled in everyday contexts with
an intelligent, dry, sense of humor."
"I was amazed at how much time, patience, and effort one would
have to have in order to accomplish [the] seemingly simple
task [of communicating]!!"
"educates special educators and aides in the importance
of using a variety of AAC strategies and that all types of AAC should
be encouraged throughout the day "
"a terrific resource to encourage students to personally
examine their own attitudes about disabilities"
"It seems to me that [this young woman]
has had a very positive experience with AAC and is a role model for
those who are at all skeptical of the change it can make in an individual’s
life. She seems to be dispelling all the myths of a woman with a disability
and is breaking all the barriers."
"The page “People Who Use AAC Join the Working
World” will help decrease the preconceptions about employment
opportunities for people who use AAC"
"I found these profiles to make a perfect assignment for the
beginning of the semester and followed the suggested activity on your
website for teaching AAC. "
"My students all completed the assignment and really reported
that they gained new insights from the perspectives of people who
use AT and AAC in everyday life."
"For many of my students, this is the first encounter they have
had with people with disabilities and confronting the preconceptions
that they might have. I found their comments to be sensitive and reflective."
"Many [students] demonstrated new awareness of
the myths and stereotypes about people with disabilities not being
able to work, have relationships, communicate, and demonstrate competence."
"Not only did many students show that they better
understood the competence in people with disabilities but they also
showed that the experience of disability was demystified from their
own perspectives."
