Welcome to Inclusive Ability Initiative
The goal of this website is a 1 stop place for all Disability Resources. Regardless if a person is new at learning about their Disability, or a Family/Friend is doing research for a loved one. We hope this will increase any knowledge you have. if there is a Resource that is not listed, please fill out the Contact Us Form.
“As the owner of this small website, my name is Daniel Hawkins. I am DeafBlind with total vision loss and hearing loss. My sister also contribute to this website. Jen is also DeafBlind with total Vision loss and hearing loss. We can communicate by tactile ASL but if the room is quiet enough, we can hear each other. Jen have been DeafBlind for much longer than I have. I went Total Blind in 2013 and never looked back. With the skills both Jen and I have gained over the years, we would like to share that with others. Feel free to explore this site and
” Contact Us if you have any questions. We would love to hear your feedback!
Daniel’s Ongoing Projects
- Illinois Resources
- Since I live in Illinois, this will be my first State in listing all resources related to Blind/Low Vision in the State of Illinois.
- Blind resources Revamped
- I have found out a way to create a Resource group for each category. You can click on the above menu links of each category that you wish. From there, you can do a search.
- Add more Resources to Intro to Blind Living
- This will be an ongoing tweaking to this page to add more and more resources for Introduction to Blind/Low Vision Living. Feel fre to send me ideas and resources to add!
Future Projects
- Work twards my IAAP CPACC certification
- Working twards my goal to be an expert in accessibility testing and remediation, many companies trust the IAAP certification. First step is to work on the CAPCC and then the WAC certification to show proof of my knowledgebase.
- Start on the Mozilla Developers Frontend Web development Course
- I found an fully accessible free online training course on how to do frontend Web Development. This involves in learning about html, css, and javascript. Very interesting and very well made course.
- Learn how to Linux Command Line
- I have started on this. So far, I heave learned basic file navigation and moving things around. I am doing this by using the Windows 11 WSL 2 with ubuntu using Terminal. Very accessible, and is very good way to get started on Linux command line. While I am at this, I am also learning how to do command line with Windows too. One day I plan to post all I learn and hopefully show how easy it is.
Jen’s twists & Moments
Ever run smack into a wall that wasn’t there 30 seconds ago – or so you thought? Or thought you sprinkled a dash of black pepper into your scrumptious dinner, only to sit down to enjoy an unexpectedly fiery hot dish and realize you must’ve dumped in away more pepper than you intended? Or been told that you’re wearing one white and one black sock when you were sure you put on a black pair?
Many of these mishaps happen to all of us and they make for great jokes and good laughs with friends. But the truth is it happens to those of us with disabilities more often. Not only that, but the general public view it differently when things happen to us – it isn’t so funny to them and they think of us as helpless because of it. For example, for a time it was the style for people to intentionally wear mismatching socks. However, if I chose to wear mismatching socks, I would not be viewed as stylish but rather as helpless because I supposedly can’t match my socks… Sad. So, first folks, if you have a mishap, please remember to laugh. Much of life is the result of appreciating those funny moments. Second, there is much one can do to lessen the frequency and frustration of those everyday mishaps and continue with a relatively normal day with your disability. It just takes a bit of understanding how you process information, adjusting your perspective to each task accordingly, and being creative.
What works for one person may not work for another, and a lot depends on your specific setup and circumstances. Much can be learned from others who’ve been there, done that. This, in fact, is how I came up with many of my own ideas – by modifying what others have done to my own taste. So, with that in mind, I invite you to read my page.
I will describe how I do simple, everyday things as a deafblind person. You are welcome also to use the Contact Us form to suggest any particular everyday task or topic you are interested in.
As a deafblind person, I process information about my environment and whatever I’m doing by touch mostly. I have no vision at all, and if my cochlear implants are off – which they usually are if it’s just me and my dog alone at home – no hearing at all also. This will be a key theme as you see how I adapt things, and you will find that by vision and hearing are not the only way to do many things. So, I hope you find inspiration and it helps you on your journey to living fully with your …umm… Let’s just not call it disability, okay? … Your unique twist to living everyday moments. Now, that’s better. Below you will find direct links to my Twists and Stories. Feel free to check them out and contact me anytime! Click here for a list of Jen’s twists & Moments