Accessibility & Technology: Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controllers

Technology is working alongside Accessibility more than ever.

Microsoft is coming out with adaptive Xbox controllers and we are all excited!

Watch the video bellow to see all the attachments you can use...

Designed primarily to meet the needs of gamers with limited mobility, the Xbox Adaptive Controller is a unified hub for devices that help make gaming more accessible. Connect external devices such as switches, buttons, mounts, and joysticks to create a custom controller experience that is uniquely yours.

Click here to go to Microsoft Xbox website.

According to Microsoft Story Labs page, 

" The new Xbox Adaptive Controller, which will be available later this year, can be connected to external buttons, switches, joysticks and mounts, giving gamers with a wide range of physical disabilities the ability to customize their setups. The most flexible adaptive controller made by a major gaming company, the device can be used to play Xbox One and Windows 10 PC games and supports Xbox Wireless Controller features such as button remapping. "

There is a group of gamers who have tested these controllers. One of the gamers, Dan Bertholomey, is excited for the endless possibilities the controllers have. He now plans on competing again in eSports! 

Another gamer, Solomon Romney said,

"I can customize how I interface with the Xbox Adaptive Controller to whatever I want. If I want to play a game entirely with my feet, I can. I can make the controls fit my body, my desires, and I can change them anytime I want. You plug in whatever you want and go. It takes virtually no time to set it up and use it. It could not be simpler. I get to redesign my controller every day and get to choose how I want to play, Romney said. For me, that's the greatest thing ever." 

There is so much more to read and learn about the Xbox adaptive controllers.

I am very excited but really I am happy this FINALLY exists. Inclusivity matters. Sofia was thinking the same thing as me, It's about time!

Would you use these controllers? Have you made your own adaptive controller?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Transformation Tuesday

Spring is officially here, which means we can finally spend time outside!

Is your front entrance accessible? Is it ready for the spring?

The BFA, LLC. team just finished this front deck and ramp in Dearborn Heights, MI.

Now our client will be able to soak up the sun, on the porch, while in her wheelchair. Remember, accessible modifications are all about Quality of Life! I think it is safe to say that our client will be living a better quality of life with her new deck and ramp.

Call us today at 734-414-9525 to learn more about accessible entrances.

Cerebral Palsy Awareness!

March 25th is Cerebral Palsy Awareness!

Today, we want to bring awareness to CP. 

I am trying to do my part to help to educate people about CP, as my 23 year old daughter, Sofía has Cerebral Palsy. As you all know, Sofia is the reason BFA LLC. exists!

Children and adults with Cerebral Palsy deserve more research into the cause and prevention, more research into treatment options, new thinking about the standard of care, more clinicians and scientists who specialize in it. ......

Please look up UCP- Detroit, http://www.ucpdetroit.org if you are interested in getting involved, needs resources or other information.

Spring is on its way... Hello ramp season!

The BFA LLC team took advantage of this beautiful, sunny ☀️ day to install this Garden City ramp. Luis attached it to the back deck, making the ramp a continuation of the deck.

Call us today at (734)414-9525 and go to our website ADAforAll.com to learn more about accessible spaces.
 

Water Therapy?

Sofia and her PT Christie, enjoying therapy in the pool.

I recently came across a nonprofit organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of kids with Autism and their families. And, well, that is right up our alley! 

Izzy, a pro-surfer and father of two, found out his son, Isaiah, had Autism at the age of three. After a rough day and no one being able to reach Isaiah, Izzy took him on the surf board with him in hopes that the waves would help Isaiah in the way they help him. The waves did exactly that, so he started his non profit, Surfers Healing, a surf camp for kids with Autism and their families.

Besides relating to the passion for enhancing the quality of lives of people with disabilities and their families, I could also relate to seeing the water, especially the ocean, be therapeutic for Sofia. As many of  you know, Sofia is the inspiration to our families business. Just like Izzy, Luis and Gwendolyne knew that there were other families dealing with the same difficulties and wanted to a resource to them. 

Sofia and Gwendolyne on the beach in Turks and Caico.

Sofia loves Adventure, so our family cruise to the Caribbean was her cup of tea! Did I mention she loves being in the water? I have never seen her be in a bad mood when she is in the water, even in the shower. Her favorite part of summer is going to PT in the pool. So, of course we had to take her to the beach. After figuring out a way to take her to the shore, in her wheelchair, and successfully complete it, she was finally in the water. Sofia radiated pure joy. You could tell her body was relaxed, her muscles didn't hurt and she was in paradise. Literally!

The point I am trying to make, is that I am finding more and more people in the disability community, find relief and a sense of calm in the water. Have you tried  any kind of water therapy? What is your experience with your loved one with disabilities and the water? 

Let us know in a comment below.

Make sure to follow our facebook page to see updates on current projects and events we participate in!

Pets and their Special Abilities

 Sofia and Hana (family pet)

Our family loves animals, especially dogs! What can I say, we are dog people :)

Truthfully, the main reason for getting a dog was for Sofia, our loved one with Cerebral Palsy. We knew many people in the disability community who had dogs and mentioned that the dogs enhanced their quality of life. This resulted in extensive research on different breeds and deciding what we wanted in a dog. Once we decided, we welcomed Hana, a red Shiba Inu, to the family. As you can see, Hana is always by Sofia, she even sleeps with her. There is a special bond between human and animal, but I believe it is even more special when the dog has a purpose/ job. In our case, Hana is not a professionally trained dog, but she knows Sofia needs special attention and care, making Hana her helper.

From research I have read, there is a common misconception that service dogs are meant for people with visual impairments, but that is not the case. There are many ways a service animal can help anyone, especially with physical disabilities, M.S. in particular.

Sofia, Grandma and Hana (family pet)

In the National MS magazine, Momentum, I found a great article about pets helping people with MS. They mention that there is no specific animal that is good for MS. Really, any animal that gives you joy and that can motivate you to be responsible for something other than yourself. They also  explain that trained service animals help improve balance, compensate for numb or spastic hands, provide visual assistance.

What I love the most about this article, is that it has stories of people with MS and their experiences with pets.

Brenda Bolster said, “Every day, Sam (her dog) made me get up and focus on him and not my MS. Along with the joy and comfort he gave me, I found myself working harder to regain my strength in my arms and legs so I could walk him and carry him.”

Pets aren't only therapeutic for the person with disability, but also their caregivers and family members. Worrying about your loved one with the disease is a lot of stress. Bolster found that Sam helped her husband release stress as well.

Whether your furry helper is a service dog or family pet, “nothing can compare to the unconditional love and emotional support they give you,” Bolster says. “They are such a healing thing for the whole family.”

We cannot agree more!

Read the full article here to learn more about service animals and their benefits.

Let us know your experience with your pets or service animals by commenting below.