Kristina Rhoades, the 2005 Ms. Wheelchair California, recently drove to Sacramento in the MV-1, the world’s first specially designed van, factory-built from wheelchair users feedback. A spokesperson for the manufacturer, Rhoades demonstrated the features of the MV-1 at Shriners Hospital for Children and was interviewed by the media. After suffering a spinal cord injury as an infant, Rhoades was a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children from 1997 to 2004. She has used a wheelchair most of her life. Rhoades was joined by Richard Rosebush of Destinations Mobility, a division of Paratransit, Inc. Because of Paratransit’s national presence, its long history in the mobility industry and i

The Sessions Directed by Ben Lewin “The Sessions” is a wonderful film that tells the true story of Mark O’Brien, a Berkeley man and polio survivor who spent most of his life in an iron lung, and whose time outside the machine was still spent flat on his back and limited by the parameters of his physical disabilities. Given his condition, O’Brien reached his mid-thirties having never had sex or a romantic relationship of any kind and decided to remedy that situation. The film is adapted from an article he wrote entitled “On Seeking a Sex Surrogate.” O’Brien is played brilliantly by John Hawkes, with William H. Macy as his sympathetic (and amusing) priest, and Helen Hunt in a career revivi

The manufacturer of the first vehicle designed for wheelchair users recently awarded the Northern California license to Destinations Mobility, the new division of local nonprofit Paratransit, Inc. The MV-1 from Detroit-based Vehicle Production Group LLC is the first specially designed van built with wheelchair users’ feedback rather than converted from already-built vans. “We are really proud to be part of this new venture,” said Richard Rosebush, Destinations Mobility division manager. Destinations Mobility was given the license because of the local nonprofit’s national presence, its long history in the industry and the staff’s experience in disability issues. Destinations Mobility Divi

Destinations Mobility recently began sponsoring other nonprofits’ events, including the local Walk to Defeat ASL this past Saturday. The new division of Paratransit, Inc. also signed on to the upcoming Santa Rosa Disability Tech Expo. With 1,500 participants, the Greater Sacramento Chapter of the ALS Association’s walk raised $198,000. “We are pleased to support these organizations and their causes,” said Richard Rosebush, Destinations Mobility Division Manager. “And we proud to be able to start sponsoring other nonprofits in their fundraising efforts.” Destinations Mobility sells mobility equipment and specially equipped vehicles for people with disabilities and seniors. They also have

On September 22, INALLIANCE will change the way we think about people with developmental disabilities. Later this month, hundreds of Californians will gather on the El Dorado Trail for the 4th Annual Gold Rush Fun Run to raise awareness of people with disabilities, and increase understanding of the vital programs INALLIANCE provides to the greater Sacramento area. INALLIANCE is a nonprofit organization that supports the independence, health and safety of people with developmental disabilities through community based programs. “We chose to host a fun run, because it brings together people from all walks of life in an inclusive activity,” says Executive Director of INALLIANCE Diana DeRodeff

Although the four-letter word “hate” doesn’t get censored, the actions that are fueled by it do. According to psychology Professor, Dr. Gayle Pitman, hate stems from individual psychological issues—fearing or hating what people are, or psychological issues projected outward caused by social, institutional and religious teachings. “In some ways, religion is a good thing, but it can also be used as a powerful and dangerous tool,” said Pitman, who has taught psychology of sexual orientation and psychology of women for 11 years at Sacramento City College. In 2009 and 2010, two hate crimes were reported in the Los Rios District—both occurred at City College, according to Los Rios District P

Q. As a landlord, I have a strict “no pets” policy. A prospective tenant says they have a certified service animal. All other qualifications being met, am I required to accommodate them? Thanks, Frank A. Most likely, yes. The Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) requires property owners to make reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability, to enable them to enjoy the residence on an equal basis with tenants who are not disabled. 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B). Regulations promulgated under the FHA state that “[i]t shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services, when such accommodations may be necessary to afford a h

Registration is now open for the Gold Rush Fun Run in El Dorado County on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The event features a series of races through the Sierra Nevada Foothills along the El Dorado Trail, which was once the historic Southern Pacific Railway line, and now features picturesque scenery and an abundance of wildlife for trail goers. The Gold Rush Fun Run hosts runners and walkers from across Northern California for a 10 mile run, 10K run, 5K run/walk and a 1 mile stroll. All races culminate in a finish line celebration where participants enjoy refreshments, music, raffle prizes and awards ceremony. Synergy Race Timing will chip time the 10K, 10 mile and 5K races, and medals w

2012 marks the tenth anniversary of our region’s premier culinary competition the Sacramento Chef Challenge, and organizers are inviting local restaurants, wineries, breweries and specialty shops to showcase their fare at the June 23rd event. The Sacramento Chef Challenge is a culinary extravaganza featuring two live cooking competitions, lavish food, wine and beer sampling, live music, raffle prizes and more. The event is expected to draw a crowd of over 1000 guests in celebration of INALLIANCE, a local nonprofit that has provided support to people with developmental disabilities for 60 years. “Our vendors draw a huge crowd each year by providing a variety of samples to our guests,” say

Runners, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts will take to the trails on Saturday, October 8, 2011 when local nonprofit InAlliance hosts the 3rd Annual Gold Rush Fun Run & Walk fundraiser on the El Dorado Trail beginning in Placerville. Participants will weave their way through the Sierra Nevada Foothills in 10 mile, 10K, 5K and 1 mile races along what used to be the Michigan California Lumber Company railway corridor. Following the races, guests will enjoy a Finish Line Celebration featuring refreshments, music, vendors, raffle prizes and awards ceremony. The races will all be chip timed by Synergy Race Timing and all race winners will receive custom medals. The event is an annual benefit for

There’s something unusual happening at the Orangevale Recreation and Park District. It’s not ballet classes or a magic show—although those things are happening. It’s something that has grown behind the scenes and yet is a key part of the parks we enjoy. For almost 13 years, Orangevale parks have benefitted from a crew that does everything from waxing the slide at the pool, to chalking the baseball diamond. What’s unique about this crew is that it consists of three individuals who have a range of developmental disabilities. You might not normally think that people with developmental disabilities would be shredding almond branches through a wood chipper, or driving giant lawn mowers across

Josh Blue has refused to let cerebral palsy keep him from doing what he loves – exploding onto the stage and making people laugh. Although his disability is clearly evident, Josh uses it to his advantage and propels himself into the limelight with off-putting jokes that would make many blush. In 2006 Josh won NBC's ‘Last Comic Standing’ in part due to his ability to laugh at himself and in part to being able to make others laugh. In general, he wins the audience over by being comfortable with the person he is and the hand he was dealt (figuratively and literally) in life. Friday night’s performance at the Punch Line in Sacramento was no different; Josh got up on stage and immediately mad

Chants and cheers from nearly 800 concerned citizens filled the Downtown Sacramento streets on February 22 as the “Mommy Tsunami” protest walk finished its final leg from Caesar Chavez Park to the California State Capitol. The walk began on February 19 in Yuba City, where a group of Generation Y moms began a 60 mile journey to the Capitol in protest of Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed $1 billion budget cut to services for people with developmental disabilities. Participants, families, employees and volunteers from disability advocacy and support groups joined in the rally sporting bright red t-shirts baring a large target that read “A Budget Target Again?” Their message is that the propose

I have had a very surprising past few days. I wanted to share it here because I think what I have experienced has happened to everyone at one point. The surprising part of what I'm about to share, the most shocking part of all came from the most unexpected place; the point of origin! The thing that caused me the most pain ended up surprising me the most and spun my head clean around. Being a Mom of 3 extremely active boys so close in age, I have gotten my fair share of disapproving looks. Looks that speak volumes without any sound like the, "you must need a glass of wine before bed" look, the "what are you crazy?!?!" look and so on. When you add the extra twist of having a son...the oldes

Q: How does a company that employs over 200 people, supports over 400 participants, works with over 100 businesses, and has been doing so for 58 years fly under the radar of most of Sacramento? A: Because, maintaining a strong and steady course doesn’t always get you noticed! Today I would like to introduce you to InAlliance, a successful nonprofit that is on a mission to build a more livable workable world by developing programs that support adults with developmental disabilities in the greater Sacramento area. In the 1950’s the world was a different place, and if you didn’t fit into the general idea of “normal,” you didn’t stand a strong chance of succeeding. This was especially true