Janet L. LaBreck: “Braille, a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers, has been a cornerstone of literacy for individuals who are blind or have low vision for nearly two centuries. As we move further into the digital age, the role of Braille in fostering independence and enhancing job skills remains as vital as ever.”

There are several ways for people to overcome barriers. Sometimes, we must learn a new language. Other times, we could spend time with and study a person so we learn how they communicate and think. Playing games with people can also help build trust and overcome more barriers. As for me, I have discovered that music helps people overcome many barriers by giving joy, facilitating emotional expression, and fostering interpersonal interaction. 

Vanessa Rastović, JD: “In late November, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the State of Maine agreed to settle a suit the DOJ brought against the State for violations of the ADA. The recent DOJ case against the State of Maine revealed systemic failures to provide adequate community-based healthcare services for children with mental health disabilities, violating Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as interpreted in Olmstead v. L.C. However, these state-level challenges are a microcosm of a national-level problem.”

Craig Escudé, MD, FAAFP, FAADM on the Annie Sullivan’s League honoree: “Lisa Knott is an enthusiastic employment specialist with Visions for Creative Housing Solutions (Visions) in New Hampshire. Her mission is to support individuals in securing new jobs or maintaining the ones they already have, whether in paid positions or volunteer roles. With an in-depth knowledge of everyone at Visions, Lisa plays a key role in assisting residents with everything from job interviews and finding new opportunities, to thriving in their current roles and navigating job training.:

Nevin Zablotsky, DMD: “We are all blessed and challenged by life's vagaries, some of us more than others. How we deal with our blessings and challenges helps determine who we really are. Many of us take for granted the health of our children, but the families of Special Olympians have never had that luxury. Despite this, they’ve learned that some of life's treasures are found in unanticipated places.”

A recent report from the McKinsey Health Institute and the Missing Billion Initiative highlights significant gaps in health data on disabilities, and shines a light on how these gaps present a barrier to achieving global health equity goals. Left unaddressed, these gaps have a profound impact. 1.3 billion people – 16% of the world’s population – live with a disability and face heightened barriers to healthcare that lead to poorer health outcomes and higher mortality rates.

In late winter 2025, new oral health education materials will be available for young children with blindness or low vision. This article tells the story of the creation of those materials—funded by the Delta Dental Foundation and developed by McMillen Health—which are dedicated to oral health equity.  The final project resulted not only in developing the first oral health focused baby board book with Braille, but also a range of resources that include caregiver handouts, videos and interactive activities. 

Steven Perlman, DDS, MScD, DHL (hon), PAOH President:: “Those who provide health care for people with disabilities, or are members of the village it takes to support their lives, know these words resonate to our cores each and every day…..Since 1966, when Dr. King delivered those remarks (as eloquently referenced by our editor Dr. Rick Rader in this month’s issue) have we, as a society, had any success in moving the needle for people with disabilities to improve their access and ability to receive clinically competent and comprehensive healthcare?”

The immortal words by Dr. Martin Luther King serve as the core values for HELEN, The Journal of Human Exceptionality. Virtually, every article in HELEN, every personality profile, and every program we promote has its roots in the inequality of healthcare for marginalized populations, especially those with disabilities.

Rick Rader, MD, FAAIDD, FAADM, Editor-in-chief, Helen Journal: “Astute observers in assisted living and rehabilitation centers, long term care facilities, group and private homes, schools and nursing homes have commented on the obvious disadvantages of a fixed table for people using wheelchairs, various body lengths, use of adaptive equipment and confusion of individual allotted space….While much was observed and discussed, little was done about it, until Neil Marion, a veteran occupational therapist, set out to find a solution.”

Ley Linder, MA, M. Ed, BCBA and Craig Escudé, MD, FAAFP, FAADM: “Freddie is a 53-year-old man with a moderate intellectual disability who has been living in a group home for the last 22 years. He does not use words to communicate….He has been exhibiting aggression lately. He always enjoyed looking at magazines, especially those with pictures of animals, but recently, after flipping through them for just a minute or two, he would seemingly become agitated and throw them at the wall.”

Tim Shriver: “When I finally settled into my seat on the plane, (slightly sweaty and overwhelmed), I decided to check out the Christopher Reeve documentary. The story of Reeve’s rise to stardom as Superman and then his horseback riding accident, his near-death experience, and his complete paralysis is stunning. The whole film could’ve been titled ‘Everyone Has Dignity.’ It was beyond moving.”

Timing is everything, and since January is Bath Safety Awareness month, HELEN journal wanted to help promote the need to ensure that we are all alerted to both the joys and perils of bathing. The following article, excerpted from a blog (from Step2Health) should be required reading for the disability community.

An NIH-funded study of mice used advanced genetic analysis techniques to map out the sensitivity of different brain cell types to aging. (The Allen Institute, Seattle): Based on new brain mapping research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), scientists have discovered that not all cell types in the brain age in the same way. They found that some cells, such as a small group of hormone-controlling cells, may undergo more age-related changes in genetic activity than others. The