Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius won his appeal Friday and can compete for a place in the Beijing Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the 21-year-old South African is eligible to race against able-bodied athletes, overturning a ban imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations. The court said the unanimous ruling goes into effect immediately. "I am ecstatic," Pistorius told reporters in Milan, Italy. "When I found out, I cried. It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It's a great day for sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people." read more

Often when human rights are discussed the needs of the world’s largest minority group are ignored or simply not recognized. As bloggers unite today to bring attention to human rights around the world, its important to remember those with disabilities, especially those living in under-developed nations across the globe. read more

Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor spoke publicly for the first time today about the difficulty of her husband's Alzheimer's and how it forced her to retire from the Supreme Court. Her statements were given at a hearing at the Senate Committee on Aging. In her prepared remarks, O'Connor leaves behind much of the formality she exuded as a justice and shares the personal anguish that one of the nation's most powerful women felt as she watched her spouse fade away. read more

And, as we reach part 3 of our Hideous tale as always , expectations shape everything. John is not walking as the AP finishes their series. But he is a little stronger than previously expected. Is it that the therapy he got was so great, or was it the commonality of being around other families who upended their lives that helped the most? But Ms. Arrillaga was sent to write a medical miracle story, damn it, so she is keeping her sights squarely focused on the medical miracle workers at Project Walk, counting steps and cataloging minor milestones. read more

Rai Henniger has been connecting fans and the Sky Sox for 17 years, specializing in birthdays, marriage proposals and promotional nights. In 2007, Henniger was badly injured while preparing fireworks that was to be used during a game. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick recently visited with Henger, his family and fans of the team to see how his life has changed. read more

While trying to catch up on some news items from the past week I noticed this video of a deaf ADAPT protester being taken to the ground by police appeared on Youtube. The video shows police taking the woman to the floor while she and others try to explain to the officer that she could not communicate with police. Its not clear, other than the protest itself, what prompted the actions of the officers. This incident took place in the offices of Senator John McCain while ADAPT was in town. read more

This short podcast features a news update covering the latest headlines from the disability community. The update features the latest on the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, charges filed in the wheelchair dumping incident last January in Tampa Florida, America's most accessible city for 2008, and much more. You can get a transcript in Word format by clicking here. News updates on DisabilityNation is provided by Inclusion Daily Express, the International Disability Rights News Service. read more

Alzheimers disease has a profound impact on both the individual with the illness and those who serve as care givers. Phoenix NPR station KJZZ recently featured a program focusing on the disease and those who live with it. While some of the information in the show focuses on Arizona, the information will be useful to almost anyone concerned about this issue. Click the play button on the player below to listen. read more

Hideous Media part 2. AP reporter Pauline Arrillagais at it again. This time, maybe not so much with the pathos, although she does refer to John's leg as "lifeless" when "paralyzed" might fit just fine, although it is far less(sniff) tragic and prize-winning that way, isn't it? read more

DN62: He set a world speed record for a blind skier, lived in a remote village in Ghana, worked as a spy for the CIA, and had a procedure done that restored some of the vision he lost in a chemical accident at age 3. For Mike May, life has been an adventure and a constant effort to live on the edge. read more

I'm thinking that Disability Nation should run an occasional column about the worst of the worst of media depictions of PWD. Our crusading editor Larry, the J. Jonah Jameson of our little empire, here, found a real pip this week. And, so, a column idea was born, thanks to the Associated Press, whom I used to worship as a little baby ink-stained wretch. But, much like Yale and the White House, it's increasingly apparent, they now let anyone in. We've seen it all before. Usually from medical-model pitchmen like Jerry Lewis who have missed several memos about what year it is and seem to find it acceptable to refer to those children on whose backs he has built a reputation as a humanitarian as "half a person". read more

Although I believe the point of exercises like blogging-against-disablism day is to share the great strides (see, even my metaphors aren't clean of bias) one has made in learning to understand that we all share a common history of oppression, of having our best gifts denied by a larger culture that just sees our liabilities and blah-blah-blah. I'm working on it. I even understand a bit about inter-disability bias from having my stock shrink in some "brother" or "sister"'s mind when they find out how much attendant services I really need. This really hurts. read more

As season 2 of Friday Night Lights opens, Jason Street is having a tough Fall.The assistant-coaching gig that helped him through in the wake of his paralysis has been diminished by the new Dillon football coach, who whiplashes between respecting his experience and dismissing him as the "team mascot,". He's still fighting with his self-destructive best friend Tim Riggins, only partially because Riggins carried on an affair with Street's girlfriend while he was in rehab. read more

Certainly there are many here in Arizona who are proud that our long-time senator, John mcCain is a candidate for President. However, as the following press release illustrates, our senator is out of touch with the disability community and the people of his own generation who, rather than having access to greater independence in their homes are often forced to live in nursing homes. read more

Disability Rights Advocates Challenge McCain and Republicans on Lack of Support for Community Choice Act: McCain’s Office Responds by Arresting Over 40 read more

As an Apple fan and Mac user I find myself sometimes torn between appreciation for the steps that the company has taken to move accessibility forward by including several products including a screen reader and magnification program with their OS. And yet, I continue to be upset with Apple for the inaccessibility of the iPhone and iPod line of products. read more

Family therapist and call-in radio host Dr. Dan Gottlieb was a guest today on the NPR program Fresh Air. Gottlieb has assisted many people through difficult events and circumstances in his life. However, he's had many challenges of his own following an accident 29 years ago that left him paralyzed from the chest down. read more

ADAPT Activists Win Meeting with HHS Sec. Leavitt to Work on Medicaid Reform HHS Staff Affirms that Access to Community is a Civil Right Washington, D.C.--- 500 ADAPT activists closed off all access to the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, headquarters for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and kept it closed until HHS Sec. Michael Leavitt agreed to meet with ADAPT on the multiple policies that force people into nursing homes and other institutions, and prevent them from moving back to their own homes and communities. read more

I was surprised to see this terrific ad in the middle of my favorite newscast. read more

I never thought I’d care whether some forty-year-old guy from Texas decided to skydive to commemorate his big day. In fact, I think in some other broadcast I’d write it off as some big cliché. However, Brian Scheele is no ordinary white guy from Texas. read more

The prosthetic-enhanced athlete will be able to run faster, jump higher and pitch harder than mere mortals…this brave new world is just around the corner and the cover story for this week's issue of ESPN The Magazine, now on newsstands. read more

From the Associated Press: John Fernandez should not have been playing lacrosse Saturday in the Army-Navy alumni game at Madison Square Garden. By all rights, the former U.S. Army first lieutenant should be dead. But luck intervened. Check out the following video where you will meet John and learn more about his service to our country and life after his time in the military. read more

From coverage of the latest disability news to some important announcements, this brief audio update from DisabilityNation is packed with information you need to know. Also, be sure to watch the DisabilityNation blog this week for coverage of the ADAPT 25th Anniversary Celebration happening in Washington DC. read more

From Ratify Now: A total of 24 countries have now ratified the international disability rights treaty, called the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The most recent four include Mali (April 7), Honduras, and Egypt (both on April 14) and the Philippines (April 15). Of these 24 nations, 14 have also ratified the Optional Protocol.

I’m pleased to welcome a new writer and voice to DisabilityNation. Over the next few days you should begin seeing writings from Erika Jahneke on the site. She will be posting to the DisabilityNation blog and offering her insights and observations about the disability experience. read more

The nation's three major consumer credit reporting companies today unveiled a comprehensive program to provide improved access to important credit information for people who are blind or visually impaired. The initiative, crafted with the American Council of the Blind, its California affiliate and several individual members of the blind community, will help protect the credit information of individuals who cannot read a standard print credit report. read more

Parking in spots designated for drivers with disabilities seems to be the popular theme of the week. Only this time its for real. I'm all for advocacy and educating people about disability issues, even for blocking in people who park illegally. I'm not sure I'd block in the police though. read more

In case you missed this...and, with a little luck most of you had better things to do on Sunday night. Desperate Housewives isn't high on my list of priorities. Okay, its not on the list at all. Anyways, check out this highlight...footage...from the show.

From the Associated Press: Lesson No. 1 on Celia Chacon’s television cooking show — use what you have, find substitutes for what you don’t. Except this food TV host isn’t just talking ingredients. She’s teaching viewers to use touch, smell and sound instead of sight. That’s because her viewers are mostly listeners. Like Chacon, most are blind or visually impaired. read more

This short podcast brings you some brief updates about upcoming episodes of the show and changes at the DisabilityNation web site. Also, you can hear the latest news from the disability community provided by Inclusion Daily Express. You can get a transcript of this weeks news by clicking here. read more

When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it's not usually good news. But for Pat Mozgala the wake-up call was a happy one. On the other end of the line was her son Gregg, an aspiring actor, calling from New York. "Mom, the reviews are out," she heard her son say. "And it's got a great picture of me!" The review was for "Romeo and Juliet," an off-Broadway production by Theater Breaking Through Barriers. The play recently finished a monthlong run of seven performances a week. Read more here.

The blog world is still active with commentary and opinion about the incident that happened in France with the Olympic torch recently. Jin Jing finally is speaking out about what happened. read more

A disturbing story out of Texas regarding abuse at institutions located in that state. According to documents just released, over 800 employees at 13 of the largest facilities in Texas have been either suspended or fired since 2004. In response to an open records request from The Associated Press, the Department of Aging and Disability Services said that 239 employees were fired or suspended in fiscal year 2007 for the abuse, neglect or exploitation of residents. read more

DN61 features an interview with Canadian singer-song writer Justin Hines. Justin says that music is something as essential as breathing. Released in 2006, Sides features 14 tracks and lyrics that will move you. read more

The Associated Press featured an interview today with Re. Patrick Kenedy regarding his own issues with depression and how they have helped him while working in Congress. read more

Detroit Metro Airport and Northwest Airlines staff dropped disabled passengers to the floor, failed to provide boarding assistance to the disabled, damaged wheelchairs by tossing them in baggage storage and failed to provide an area for seeing-eye dogs to relieve themselves, a lawsuit filed today in Detroit says. Five disabled travelers have sued the Wayne County Airport Authority and Northwest Airlines in U.S. District Court in Detroit. The suit seeks no monetary damages, but asks that the airport and Northwest follow basic federal laws and rules. read more

DisabilityNation brought you coverage of Free Wheelchair Mission last year in episode 34. This is an update on the organization and its ongoing efforts to donate wheelchairs to people around the world. Free Wheelchair Mission is set to embark on a nationwide tour to benefit people with physical disabilities in poor and developing countries. Called Mobility in Motion, the tour will launch at Mariner's church in Irvine, CA on April 20, 2008. read more

The coverage that has come out of China related to this story has been interesting to follow. While I suspect much of this heros welcome is simply propaganda being put out by the government of China, perhaps some awareness of disability issues will also come to pass. read more

There are about 16,000 golf courses across the country and Richard Thesing is ready to play them all — in a courtroom. The retired lawyer has taken on the task of forcing operators to make their golf courses accessible to mobility-impaired persons, who usually require a single-seat cart that can stabilize a player enough to get over the ball. read more

Check out this trailer for the upcoming movie "Blindness." The basis for this film is that everyone in society goes blind after being exposed to a virus. The representations of what life is like for blind people in this film should be interesting. A quote from the film, "The only thing more terrifying than being blind is being the only one who can see." read more