Living Accessible – Empowering Accessibility Everywhere
We believe in a world where accessibility is not an afterthought but a fundamental right.
About Us
At Living Accessible, we believe in a world where accessibility is not an afterthought but a fundamental right. Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities by providing comprehensive, up-to-date information about disabled accessible colleges, rental units, and businesses. We are committed to breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and creating a more accessible world for everyone.
Having access to a bathroom, a kitchen, a school and a retail building should be a consideration that every American has for our children, our veterans, and our communities.
Tony Joslin
CEO and Founder @ LivingAccessible.Com LLC
LivingAccessible.com LLC is solely dedicated to granting access to all buildings so that physically and mentally challenged individuals have the same access as everyone else. That access should start at home. Physically and mentally challenged individuals should be able to have access to each room. They should be able to cook, do laundry and go to the bathroom. Apartments and other rental units can skirt some of the legal requirements by saying that a building is accessible when it truly is not. We ensure that the building truly is accessible for every individual.
7% of US homes are not assessable for the physically challenged. Although one and four
Americans will have some type of temporary disability in the lifetime
With each home assessment we validate the home and add it to our database. We take great care in ensuring that our stamp of approval meets the highest level of standards. You can be assured that when you see the approval of LivingAccessible.Com LLC that we have reviewed the building with one of our agents.
We also want you to be able to rate access around you, if you see a building that is not accessible, please leave a note and we will add it to our database. We will gather the largest database of accessibility in the country to ensure that your voice is heard, and we will not rest until every place is accessible to all.
We will also suggest recommendations to public and private institutions on how to make their business accessible. We will provide guidance so that they can bring their buildings up to our standards. We will validate contractors that are educated in disabled building techniques and give them our seal of approval.
Universities are the center for learning and growth in our communities, however many of them are not openly accessible to physically and mentally challenged students. Some campuses claim that they are accessible, but they only have part of their campus accessible.
We often think of accessibility in terms of physical access, but inaccessible electronic technology
is also a barrier to individuals with disabilities.
Barriers to access may be obvious, or they may be things that we haven't thought about. Understanding the challenges to accessibility allows us to plan for a more inclusive university environment.
We will do a public standards assessment for your university. Now you will know before you go know what the accessibility rating for your university or college is. You will also be able to have a voice that helps make your place of education more open to the physically and mentally challenged community.
We also provide information to be given to colleges and universities to help them understand the needs of the physically and mentally disabled community so that they don’t stoop to just meeting the minimum requirements. We want them to rise to the highest our standards!
When I transferred schools to be back home near my family after my father’s heart attack, I was told that my new local college was accessible. But when I got to campus, I found out that it was not. I could only access half the campus. I was told I didn’t need access to the other half.
Tony Joslin
CEO and Founder @ LivingAccessible.Com LLC
Places of business have general accessibility requirements in most states, but as anyone with a physical or mental challenge can attest, there are many ways for them to meet the requirements of local ordinances without truly providing access to the public. We care about true access and understand that having access to businesses allow for a stronger community and for those businesses to grow. We encourage all brick-and-mortar businesses to ensure that they are accessible both for retail space and as a place for employees.
Drive Innovation
Integrating accessibility removes architectural, digital, and social barriers that can get in the way of innovation, for example:
- Accessible design thinking provides varied and flexible ways for users to interact with websites and applications, options that are useful for people with and without disabilities.
- Design of user interaction considers experiences other than screens when accessibility is a consideration. The result is interaction that is more human-centered, natural, and contextual.
- Accessibility is closely related to general usability – both aim to define and deliver a more intuitive user experience.
- Innovations like the typewriter, telephone, punch cards, text to speech, email, and voice controls were initially meant to include those with a disability, and all have found a much broader application.
- Driverless cars, so promising for the independence of blind people, are projected to also help solve traffic fatalities and congestion.
- Research and development of the artificial retina project to help restore sight for participants who are blind may also help future robots with real-time image-processing systems, effectively enabling them to “see.”
Accessible design is by its nature flexible, allowing content to faithfully render across a broad spectrum of devices, platforms, assistive technologies, and operating systems. In physical environments, everyone takes advantage of lower curbs, automatic door openers, ramps, and other features provided for disability access. On the web, accessibility features become options that are also often used more widely.
We will rate any business and teach them how to make their business accessible. Important questions to ask about every business are:
- What is the access of this business?
- How can your business improve access what is your access rating?
- What accommodations are you making for physically and mentally challenged individuals?
Using our rate my business portal will allow businesses to understand their deficiencies or to validate that they are up to the standard that LivingAccessible.Com LLC sets.
Accessible Design Tips and Products
People with disabilities meet barriers of all types. However, technology is helping to lower many of these barriers. By using computing technology for tasks such as reading and writing documents, communicating with others, and searching for information on the Internet, students and employees with disabilities can handle a wider range of activities independently. Still, people with disabilities face a variety of barriers to computer use. These barriers can be grouped into three functional categories: barriers to providing computer input, interpreting output, and reading supporting documentation. Hardware and software tools (known as adaptive or assistive technologies) have been developed to provide functional alternatives to these standard operations.
Mobility Impairments
With each home assessment we validate the home and add it to our database. We take great care in ensuring that our stamp of approval meets the highest level of standards. You can be assured that when you see the approval of LivingAccessible.Com LLC that we have reviewed the building with one of our agents.
Equipment which provides flexibility in the positioning of monitors, keyboards, documentation, and tabletops is useful for many individuals with disabilities. Plugging all computer components into power outlet strips with accessible on and off switches makes it possible for some individuals to turn equipment on and off independently.
Some technology assists individuals with little or no use of their hands in using a standard keyboard. Individuals who have use of one finger or have access to a mouth- or head-stick or some other pointing device, can control the computer by pressing keys with the pointing device. Software utilities can create “sticky keys” that electronically latch the SHIFT, CONTROL, and other keys to allow sequential keystrokes to input commands that normally require two or more keys to be pressed simultaneously. The key repeat function can be disabled for those who cannot release a key quickly enough to avoid multiple selections. Keyboard guards (solid templates with holes over each key to assist precise selection) can be used by those with limited fine motor control.
Sometimes repositioning the keyboard and monitor can enhance accessibility. For example, mounting keyboards perpendicular to tables or wheelchair trays at head-height can assist individuals with limited mobility who use pointing devices to press keys. Other simple hardware modifications can assist individuals with mobility impairments. For instance, disk guides can assist with inserting and removing diskettes; a dedicated hard disk or computer network access can eliminate or reduce the necessity to do so.
Speech input provides another option for individuals with disabilities. Speech recognition systems allow users to control computers by speaking words and letters. A particular system is “trained” to recognize specific voices.
Special software can further aid those with mobility impairments. Abbreviation expansion (macro) and word prediction software can reduce input demands for commonly used text and keyboard commands. For example, word prediction software anticipates entire words after several keystrokes and increases input speed.
Blindness
Individuals who are blind cannot access visual material presented on the computer screen or in printed materials
Most individuals who are blind use standard keyboards, however, Braille input devices are available. Braille key labels can assist with keyboard use.
Speech output systems can be used to read screen text to computer users who are blind. Special software programs (called screen readers) “read” computer screens and speech synthesizers “speak” the text. The availability of earphones for individuals using speech output systems can reduce the distractions for others nearby. Refreshable Braille displays allow line-by-line translation of screen text into Braille on a display area where vertical pins move into Braille configurations as screen text is scanned. Braille displays can be read quickly by those with advanced Braille skills, are good for detailed editing (e.g., programming, and final editing of papers), and do not disrupt others in work areas because they are quiet. Braille printers provide “hard copy” output for users who are blind.
Scanners with optical character recognition can read printed material and store it electronically on computers, where it can be read using speech synthesis or printed using Braille translation software and Braille printers. Such systems provide independent access to journals, syllabi, and homework assignments for students who are blind. Electronic versions of documentation can support computer users who are blind if it is delivered in an accessible format.
Low Vision
For some people with visual impairments the standard size of letters on the screen or printed in documents are too small for them to read. Some people cannot distinguish one color from another.
Most individuals who have visual impairments can use standard keyboards, but large print keytop labels are sometimes useful.
Special equipment for individuals who are visually impaired can modify display or printer output. Computer-generated symbols, both text and graphics, can be enlarged on the monitor or printer, thereby allowing individuals with low vision to use standard word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail, and other software applications. For individuals with some visual impairments, the ability to adjust the color of the monitor or change the foreground and background colors is also of value. For example, special software can reverse the screen from black on white to white on black for people who are light sensitive. Anti-glare screens can make screens easier to read. Voice output systems are also used by people with low vision.
Scanners with optical character recognition can read printed material and store it electronically on computers, where it can be read using speech synthesis or printed in large print.
Hearing or Speech Impairments
Speech and hearing disorders alone do not generally interfere with computer use. However, advanced speech synthesizers are close enough to human quality to act as substitute voices and thus provide a compensatory tool for students who cannot communicate verbally. Students with portable systems can participate in class discussions once adapted computers provide them with intelligible speaking voices. Word processing and educational software may also help students who are hearing impaired develop writing skills.
Students with hearing or speech impairments typically use a standard keyboard and mouse.
Alternatives to audio output can assist the computer user who is hearing impaired. For example, if the sound volume is turned to zero, a computer may flash the menu bar when audio output is normally used
Individuals with hearing or speech impairments typically do not have difficulty using standard written or on-screen documentation.
Specific Learning Disabilities
Educational software where the computer provides multi-sensory experiences, interaction, positive reinforcement, individualized instruction, and repetition can be useful in skill building. Some students with learning disabilities who have difficulty processing written information can also benefit from completing writing assignments, tutorial lessons, and drill-and-practice work with the aid of computers. For example, a standard word processor can be a valuable tool for individuals with dysgraphia, an inability to produce handwriting reliably.
Quiet work areas and ear protectors may make computer input easier for individuals with learning disabilities who are hyper-sensitive to background noise. Software that aids in efficient and accurate input can also assist. Some people can compensate for high rates of input errors by using spell checkers, thesauruses, and grammar checkers. In addition, word prediction programs (software that predicts whole words from fragments) have been used successfully by students with learning disabilities. Similarly, macro software which expands abbreviations can reduce the necessity to memorize keyboard commands and can ease the entry of commonly used text.
Some individuals with learning disabilities find adaptive devices designed for those with visual impairments useful. Large-print displays, alternative colors on the computer screen, and voice output can compensate for some reading problems. People who have difficulty interpreting visual material can improve comprehension and the ability to identify and correct errors when words are spoken or printed in large fonts.
Some individuals with learning disabilities find it difficult to read. Computer documentation provided in electronic forms can be enlarged on the screen and/or read aloud with speech synthesis systems to make it accessible.
Creating accessible design means answering several important questions:
- How should buildings be designed to make homes more accessible.
- How can you design for access without destroying decor? Or making everyone comfortable
- What exactly is accessible design?
Officially called universal design, it refers to the design of buildings, products and environments that are accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability. Other terms include “barrier-free” and “inclusive,” and for the most part they are used interchangeably.
Our team at LivingAccessible.Com LLC works hard to stay in touch with the community and the innovations that are leading towards an inclusive community. Our blog will feature stories about disability issues, both issues that we are struggling with and pieces of joy to celebrate. This is where you’ll get to know the team and hear the latest updates on access.
We are here for you and can chat directly.
When I was growing up it was hard to find people like me. And, when I was trying to relocate and wanted to talk to someone about accommodations at my new location, I couldn’t find anyone like me to talk to. Here at LivingAccessible.Com LLC, there will be people like you waiting to talk.
Tony Joslin
CEO and Founder @ LivingAccessible.Com LLC
You are not alone or boxed in. We are here to help you. We want to talk to you directly and hear what’s on your mind?
Featuring items geared for physically and mentally challenged people and created by people in our community we hope you enjoy our selections.
Every purchase goes directly towards supporting Living social and out mission:
Our Mission is to assist physically and mentally challenged with accessibility issues at home, work and school. Access our store and coffee mugs, shirts, and other apparel.
Having access to a bathroom, a kitchen, a school and a retail building should be a consideration that every American has for our children, our veterans, and our communities.
Tony Joslin
CEO and Founder @ LivingAccessible.Com LLC
Donations will go to our mission of creating, building, buying, and renovating properties for disabled people Thank you for your support. Please donate anyway you can. We thank you for your generous donation.
Our Story
LivingAccessible.Com LLC was founded by Tony Joslin. Born with cerebral palsy, he understands what it’s like to live in a world not designed for him. He started LivingAccessible.Com LLC with the mission to assist physically and mentally challenged with accessibility issues at home, work and school.
I have a brother that’s 15 years older than me. He shot himself when he was 4. From the beginning, my mother believed that her kids needed to be as independent as possible. Before she had kids, she was a nurse and understood disabilities and their limitations. But she also knew how much disabled individuals could accomplish.
Then, she had my brother and he shot himself when he was 4 and that created his disability. Then I was born with cerebral palsy. So, my mother had her hands full. When my other brother started to drive, my disabled brother wanted to drive to. My mother was a single parent and couldn’t keep him from doing normal things. Tony would go into different situations, and they would be totally inaccessible, like he was a pink unicorn and because he didn’t show up much, they wouldn’t even address it. Tony would travel to different areas of the country and would see that the west coast would handle things differently then the central and the east coast. In the east coast the people care more about the historical nature of the buildings so are slow to make them accessible.
This problem has to change. We have to work together to build a more inclusive world.
Tony Joslin
CEO and Founder @ LivingAccessible.Com LLC
CONTACT US
You are not alone or boxed in. We are here to help you. We want to talk to you directly and hear what’s on your mind?
Our Information:
📞 (123) 456-895
anthony@livingaccessible.com
Copyright 2023 | Created By Atomic Social