Disabilities

Every day, the ability to perform simple daily living tasks is taken for granted by millions of people. Having the ability to be self sufficient and complete routine activities such as showering, getting dressed, preparing a meal, driving to work, or buying groceries, are rarely given a second thought. To 16.6% of the population of California these trivial tasks are not so insignificant. 16.6% of Californians are disabled and as a result, they are prevented from being completely self sufficient. For some, disabilities inhibit them from being able to interact with others whether at school, in social situations, or at work. This can trigger a sense of alienation and seclusion from society which can cause feelings of depression or loneliness.  

Economic influences also impact individuals with disabilities more significantly than those without disabilities. Some individuals with disabilities have difficulty obtaining jobs, while others have trouble keeping them. Expensive medical attention or assistive equipment is often required which places a financial burden upon a disabled individual and his or her family. Last year, Change a Life Foundation was able to provide hope to individuals with disabilities by joining with their partner non-profit organizations who work to assist disabled individuals.

In 2006, the Change a Life Foundation funded Braille equipment for many individuals, while others received voice-activated computers to assist them in completing tasks that they may not have been about to accomplish without the assistive technology. The Foundation funded a grant for a visual fire alarm and an alert system for a man who is deaf so that he was able to feel safe in his own home. A wheel-chair bound woman was given funding for a computer with assistive technology software, a wheel-chair accessible workstation, door opener, and home automation to aid her in every day tasks. Many other individuals were provided with wheelchairs that they could not afford; others were granted vehicle modifications or wheelchair lifts to assist them in becoming sufficiently mobile. Another recipient was provided a platform lift for her mobile home and safety equipment for her bathroom in order to assist her in completing necessary tasks.  Several recipients were given the gift of speech when they received a speech generating device. In 2006, Change a Life Foundation granted $182,915 to 279 people with disabilities, offering them support toward becoming self sufficient.