Jason Hahr

The Voiceless Minority

Function is Not a Luxury: Insurance Should Cover Maintenance Therapy By:Jason Hahr

What comes to mind when you hear the words “physical or occupational therapy”? Most of you who will read this are probably only familiar with the words in the context of rehab. By that, I mean most readers of this post will associate physical and occupational therapy only with injuries or accidents. In my opinion, this is because these services are believed to “fix” a problem. If one hurts their meniscus or knee, as my now wife, Samantha, or as I like to call her “love bug,” did several months a...

Beyond the Guilt: Embracing the Necessary Pause

I have a question for anyone reading this. Have you ever gotten so involved in a project that you let it consume your whole identity? Have you become so involved that you forget that there are other parts of you that need to be looked after? Ok, I guess that was two questions, but anyway, back to my point. The last post on this blog was published in November of last year. Up until then, other members of the voiceless minority and I had been posting pretty regularly. However, sometimes we need a...

Ian Wadell Proves Even When You Have A Disability Age Is Just A Number, By Jason Hahr

Do you get overwhelmed by the world? Are you tired at the end of every day? A typical response to those questions by an average adult would be yes. As we age, we are conditioned to believe that when our bodies slow down, we should too. This article will shine a spotlight on one elderly individual who believes that age is just a number. When I was looking for my next article, I was introduced to Ian Wadell. After reading a profile/interview on him in Able Magazine, I envisioned one of those badas...

From Data to Dignity: What We Can Learn About Down Syndrome and Development By: Michelle Zeman

Did you know that there’s research out there that children with Down Syndrome meet developmental milestones much later than neurotypical children? According to a 2024 study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics, there was a significant difference in developmental progress. In the study, 842 children and adults with Down syndrome enrolled in the Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program were evaluated. It was reported that on average, most children with Down Syndrome walk without help...

Arthur Hughes Proves That Even Those with Disabilities Can Tell Compelling Stories on Stage and On Screen, by Jason Hahr

Recently, I wrote an article about how the word 'disability' is not a dirty word; however, for some people, the language they use to describe their disability is just as empowering as the word' disability. Whether you call it a disability or a difference, embracing it is key.British actor Arthur Hughes refers to his disability as an upper limb difference because he has radial dysplasia. Radial dysplasia is a disability in which the radial bone of one or both arms is missing. In some cases, such...

I Am Not Differently Abled, I Have A Disability and I'm Proud Of It: Disability Is Not A Bad Thing By Jason Hahr

Some disability advocates, such as Alice Wong and I, have taken back negative language and repurposed it for good. For example, the word crippled can be seen in a positive light with the voting campaign “Crip The Vote”. I don’t know if this stream of consciousness is making sense, but what I am trying to get out is that the word disability and the language used to describe it are becoming more acceptable. No, I am not referring to sanitized language. I am referring to the fact that late last yea...

When Living in Your Home Becomes A Daily Struggle: The Benefits of Accessible Homes and Universal Design By: Samantha Lebron

One of the first lessons a person with a disability learns is to adapt to the world around them. Those who cannot afford a fully customized accessible dwelling can find it frustrating and ultimately unsafe. When I moved into my first apartment. I was placed in a unit that had steps at the entrance. The steps had railings on both sides. I was able to lift my four-wheel walker up the steps one-handed while maintaining my balance by using my other hand to hold onto the railing as I walked up the st...

Beyond Purple Socks: How to Support Disabled Entrepreneurs By: Michelle Zeman

Seems silly, right? Well, the idea for this came about last year from Victoria Jenkins, an award-winning adaptive designer, speaker, disability advocate, and writer. She backed last year’s Purple Sock Day as a way to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  Victoria Jenkins' work last year was an incredible way to support entrepreneurs with disabilities. Oftentimes, people with disabilities like myself are often told that we will never amount to anything, much less design a business...

Gaming Can Be Accessible For All: Musings From A Future Twitch Streamer By Jason Hahr

I have been writing for this blog for 12 years. I have found a new passion in the form of advocacy, and over the last 12 years, I have not only found my voice but have also helped others find theirs. However, when I was younger, I had a slightly different passion, which some would have called an obsession. I was a hardcore gamer. The first system I could play by myself was the Super Nintendo. My favorite game was Bart’s Nightmare—one of the many Simpsons games that came out in the early '90s. I...

Inclusive Learning Has Become More Prevalent in the Modern Classroom, Which Gives Me Tremendous Hope for the Future, by Jason Hahr

To begin, let’s discuss what it takes to become a teacher in America versus other places around the world. To become a teacher in America, one has to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in either education or a particular subject. For example, I have bachelor’s degrees in History and Theater. I pursued a degree in History because I love the past and the lessons we can learn from it, and I pursued Theater because I’m a nerd and a musical lover, but I digress. As I was saying, after obtaining a...

How Donald Trump’s Second Term Has Impacted Medicaid and Other Disability Programs So Far: by Jason Hahr

Whether you love him or hate him, Donald Trump won a second term in the White House last year. There is no changing that. For the next three and a half years, barring an accident or his death, he will be the President of the United States and play a significant role in shaping policies that affect the Voiceless Minority. Members of The Voiceless Minority, like myself, have already seen President Trump make drastic cuts to Medicaid.For those readers who are unaware of the significance of Medicaid...

Adaptive Fashion Lights Up New York Fashion Week by Samantha Lebron

The simple act of getting dressed in the morning can be a genuine struggle for someone who has a disability. For not only themselves but for those assisting them. Adaptive fashion has made this simple task that many may take for granted much easier. Many recognizable clothing companies have now made it part of their mission to include adaptive wear in their collections. Some notable mentions include Zappos, Steve Madden, Tommy Hilfiger, Kohl's, Target, Victoria’s Secret, and PINK.Adaptive clothi...

Camping and The Outdoors May Finally Be Accessible To All: A Guide To Adaptive Camping, By Jason Hahr

I was born country, and that's what I'll always be. This old Alabama song lyric came to mind while I was researching for this article. For anyone who knows me, it's no secret that I love country music. Still, I prefer city creature comforts over country life, despite my claims to be a country enthusiast. However, my research for this article has given me hope that outdoor spaces may become more accessible to me and others like me in the future. I know nature is going to become less hilly and tre...

The Mental Health Needs of People with Disabilities Fall Victim to the Money Game, by Jason Hahr

Mental health is as important as physical health, but the way we treat people’s mental health needs in the United States, you wouldn’t think that we value mental health. A disturbing study that came out last summer in the Journal of JAMA highlights the poor standing of mental health in our society. The study focused on people who are on Medicaid, i.e., low-income or those with disabilities. While the study found that there were clinicians who “accepted” Medicaid, it found that in the five cities...

Having a Disability Does Not Mean One Cannot Learn By: Samantha Lebron

The term ‘glass ceiling’ is typically used in business settings, and it refers to the final position an individual reaches beyond which they are unable to advance despite having qualifications that make them eligible for higher-level positions. To be clear, this has to do with bias that exists in those environments, not necessarily the policies that are in place. However, for this piece, I will use it about those who have disabilities that have been, or are currently being, educationally stunted...

We Can All Learn Something from Noted Disability Advocate, Garret Frey By: Jason Hahr

Do you think your life is challenging? You must pay bills, work forty-plus hours a week, take care of a family in some cases, and find the energy to get out of bed, and that is just on a typical day. The above scenario may seem challenging or tedious to some people. Still, when we compare it to the struggles that noted disability advocates such as Garret Frey go through every day, we begin to realize that maybe we don't have it so awful after all. You may be wondering, "Who is Garret Frey, and...

Robots Like Rosie From The Jetsons May Soon Be Your Caregiver By Jason Hahr

As a journalist, it is your job to always be on the lookout for the next story or trend. I am no different; I am always looking for the next topic to cover on this blog; however, I never thought I would find it while chilling with my dad on a Tuesday afternoon. For those of you who don’t know him, let me quickly make an introduction. My dad is a loving, caring, ornery 63-year-old pain in my butt, but I love him with all my heart. Approximately 13 years ago, he became disabled, and we have grown...

Breaking the Ice With a New Caregiver: Essential Questions to Ask a Caregiver During An Interview By Samantha Lebron

Some people with disabilities require the assistance of a caregiver. Below are some questions you can ask during an interview. Interviewing a caregiver beforehand allows both you and that potential caregiver to get to know one another and see if the care they can provide can meet your needs. Note, these are not the only questions you should ask during an interview; the questions below are a good place to begin if you are unsure of what you should ask. These questions were transcribed from one of...

Disney Does Not Crip Cast, Instead Presents An Authentic Portrayal of Disability In “Out of My Mind” By Jason Hahr

Anyone who knows me knows I'd jump, not literally, unless we are talking about a spasm, if I saw a casting call flyer with the criteria listed above. The sad reality is, crip casting is a thing. Crip casting, for example, happened in the movie The Upside.Bryan Cranston, who I am not denying is a great able-bodied actor, was chosen to play the disabled character Phillip, even though it does not appear as if he has a physical disability himself. The example of crip casting in The Upside is not unu...

If the Program Doesn’t Exist—Then What? Advocating for the Right Fit By: Michelle Zeman

That’s right, the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance shares what to do when out-of-state requests are made. This also includes requests for postsecondary programs for people with Autism and/or other developmental disabilities. The document states that if a VR recipient is seeking services that fall into their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), the agency should accommodate an out-of-state option if there are none available in-state. I have not personally had any experience working wi...
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