Listen to us to understand how SIL Unlocks Independent Living For People With Disabilities. Learn more: https://otherarticles.com/health/disabilities/367572-how-sil-unlocks-independent-living-for-people-with-disabilities.html

How SIL Unlocks Independent Living For People With Disabilities

The Promise of Discovery Season 5, Episode 4

This research explored how combining visual perception with motor practice—specifically drawing unfamiliar symbols—leads to lasting brain changes that support learning. Participants trained by drawing new letter-like symbols over four days while researchers tracked their brain activity using fMRI scans before, immediately after, and one-week post-training. The after-training scans revealed significant differences in activity within several brain regions—including the motor cortex—during the perception of trained compared to untrained symbols that were greater one-week post-training. This suggests that hands-on, visual-motor learning builds long-term changes in how the brain processes visual information, with potential implications for educational strategies and interventions.

Featuring: Shelby Buettner, Graduate Student, Vanderbilt University

Interviewer: Sophia Vinci-Booher, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology & Human Development and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

Visual perception with motor practice leads to lasting brain changes that support learning

In 2023, MI-DDI celebrated 40 years of service. To honor this achievement, we recorded a series of interviews with several people who’ve played important roles in MI-DDI’s development over a three part podcast series covering MI-DDI’s past, present, and future. In our part one, we hear from Liz Bauer, Barbara W. LeRoy, and Janice Fialka.

Transcript - https://bit.ly/3EJ6O2b

Possibilities Episode 7: MI-DDI 40th Anniversary Part One

A raw and emotional R&B anthem about the struggles of rideshare driving, vision problems, and making ends meet. Smooth vocals ride over deep 808s, vibrating bass, and soulful melodies, capturing the frustration of working without healthcare, pushing through long hours, and surviving the hustle.

From rainy nights to blurry lines, anxiety behind the wheel, and a system that doesn’t see the struggle, Two Left Contacts tells the real story of grinding through adversity.

🔥 If you’ve ever worked hard just to stay afloat, this one’s for you. 🔥

#RNB #Soulful #808Vibes #StruggleMusic #Storytelling #DeepVibes #IndieArtist #NewMusic #SurvivalAnthem #RideshareLife #VisionBlurred



2 Left Contacts

03-04-25 Raising Ryan w/Felisa Strickland, Jennifer Griffin & Carrie McKiddie

The Audible app can help people with disabilities build literacy skills, enjoy entertainment like their peers, and be exposed to authors sharing their own experience of living with disabilities. 

Audible

Google Maps is a free, interactive digital map for navigation. It is often used for looking up an address and getting directions from your current location. 

Google Maps

SeeingAI is a completely free app that describes the world around you using artificial intelligence via your device’s built-in camera. This app helps people with vision impairments understand what is around them. 

SeeingAI

Host Sue Shilling speak with Barbara Coppens about her work as an advocate for disabilities.

03/08/25 Barbara Coppins

How can we make hidden disabilities more visible? Tune in to Local Matters as Be Human tackles inclusion, disability rights, and new airport initiatives for better accessibility! Listen to the entire interview with Nadia Kendall.

Local Matters: Advocating for people with hidden disabilities

LYRICS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Verse]
My Teacher said, “Go ahead, read it out loud,”
But the words looked like they was spinnin’ around.
Letters played tag on the paper trail—
Before I hit the end, I’d already failed. 

[Pre Chorus]
'Cause I been called slow and felt so outta place
That I just think i'm reading outta range.  
I turned the page till i found my pace,
I Might be backwards, but get it straight

[Chorus]
I ain’t broke, I’m just readin’ sideways,
Words don’t walk straight down my highways.
Mix up the signs, and my lefts and rights
But I make good time under starlit skies

And I Might take the long way home 
To find the truth, 
But I get there fine in my old, 
dyslexic boots.

[Verse]
Spelled “barn” like “bran,” wrote “truck” like “tuck,”
Folks always wondered why i'd would mess it up,  
I'm Like "Aw, man, that’s just how I think,
The Letters get loose, then they never link.”  

[Pre Chorus]
I got my thoughts twisted just like a good deal,
Some parts are right, the rest ain’t real. 
If the words don’t stick, the message still stands,
I'll keep on movin' forward with these working hands.

[Chorus]
I ain’t broke, I’m just readin’ sideways,
Words don’t walk straight down my highways.
Mix up the signs, and my lefts and rights
But I make good time under starlit skies

And I Might take the long way home 
To find the truth, 
But I get there fine in my old, 
dyslexic boots.

[Bridge]
Some folks talk like they read off a script,
I talk like I bit off the end of it.
But I’ll take real over polished and smooth,
In my old, worn-out, mismatched dyslexic boots


[Chorus]
'Cause
I ain’t broke, I’m just readin’ sideways,
Words don’t walk straight down my highways.
Mix up the signs, and my lefts and rights
But I make good time under starlit skies

And I Might take the long way home 
To find the truth, 
But I get there fine in my old, 
dyslexic boots.

Good To Be Different

Readin' Sideways by Toby Cash Jr.

LYRICS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Verse]
They say I talk a little different, don’t look ‘em in the eye
Got a brain like a runaway train, always wonderin’ why
I line up my tools, got my own set of rules
And I know too much ‘bout 18-wheelers and fuel

[Pre Chorus]
I can name every star in the sky by sight
But I forget to speak if I’m lost in my mind
They say I’m stuck in my own little world, but buddy that just ain’t true
I just don’t waste my time on small talk, got better things to do

[Chorus]
That's ridiculous! oh come on now
I’m autistic, you're ridiculous, so why you stressin’ out?
I don’t fit inside your box, and never cared much for the crowd
So If you think I’m strange, well bless your heart
But I ain’t changin’ now

[Verse]
I don’t like surprises, don’t mess with my plan
Got my boots in the same old spot, don’t you move ‘em again
Yeah, the world’s kinda loud, I like things real clear
And if I tell you the truth, well, don’t take it too weird

[Pre Chorus]
I could talk all day ‘bout the Civil War
Or every engine Ford built before ‘94
They say I ain’t got no common sense, but I know what’s real and true
Like how a cold glass of sweet tea beats a highbrow point of view

[Chorus]
That's ridiculous! oh come on now
I’m autistic, you're ridiculous, so why you stressin’ out?
I don’t fit inside your box, and never cared much for the crowd
So If you think I’m strange, well bless your heart
But I ain’t changin’ now

[Bridge]
I got my own kinda rhythm, my own way to be
And just ‘cause I don’t fake a smile don’t mean there’s nothin’ inside me
I love with all my heart, I dream big and proud
So if you think I’m broken, well, I ain't breakin' down

[Chorus]
That's ridiculous? oh come on now
I’m autistic, you're ridiculous, so why you stressin’ out?
I don’t fit inside your box, and never cared much for the crowd
So If you think I’m strange, well bless your heart
But I ain’t changin’ now

[Outro]
So go on and talk, say what you will
I’ll be out on the porch just sittin’ here still
Countin’ stars, hummin’ my tune
Bein’ just as ridiculous as I wanna be, 
Shoot

That's Ridiculous! by Toby Cash Jr.

TOPIC:          Helping the Disabled in the New York City area
PROGRAM:  "Community Bridge" with Jay Rudolph
AIR DATE:     April 5, 2025 on WFME 92.7 FM/1560 AM, Garden City, NY
GUEST:         Debbie White, Executive Director of Christian Overcomers of Garfield, NJ

WFME 92.7 FM/1560 AM Garden City, NY – Disabilities

LYRICS
----------------------------------------
[Verse]
Awake at ten a.m. but my alarm went off at eight
So I'm starin' at the ceiling with the sun up in my face,
I Went lookin' for my jeans, and got lost in a meme
Now it’s noon and I’m wading in a dopamine stream

I'm Hungry as can be, wonder "what's left in the fridge?"
When i never went shoppin', cause i never made the list...
And I even wrote a note, to remember - "Don't Forget!"
‘Til my ADHD swore it didn’t exist, 

[Chorus]
And Now
I’m livin’ in To-Do List Town,
Where my coffee gets cold 'fore I ever sit down
And I fill up my day like a junk drawer of grout
Till the plans pile on and my time runs out

And I procrastinate every plot to escape
Like What's the point in a goal that don't ever get made?
If Each step I take only circles around
And I find myself right back...in To-Do List Town

[Verse]
Got a closet full of hobbies I took up for a week
Now they haunt me like a promise i knew i couldn't keep,
Of course it ain't that deep...The shallow end of the pool,
Which reminds me I'm late, to help out someone, but Who?

Oh yeah, my calendar app! That's where it's probably at!
"The dentist office at 10, to fill the tooth that i cracked"
There's No way that's today! They even called me to check,
But i was snoozing away, and heck you know what came next!

[Chorus]
'Cause Now
I'm livin’ in To-Do List Town,
Where my coffee gets cold 'fore I ever sit down
And I fill up my day like a junk drawer of grout
Till the plans pile on and my time runs out

And I procrastinate every plot to escape
Like What's the point in a goal that don't ever get made?
If Each step I take only circles around
And I find myself right back...in To-Do List Town

[Bridge]
I wish the chaos would calm, it's like a twister's in town
I promise caring ain't tough, I don't wanna let folks down,
Just try to understand, If i could i would change,
But the me that you'd love, still has something to say

[Chorus]
I hope 
You come visit my To-do list town,
Where the coffee gets cold, so I order it out,
And I fill up the tank when I'm out and about 
Cause the plans piled on, and time's runnin' down

So I procrastinate all the things that I hate,
Just Like the point in the day when we say bye and part ways,
And each step I take always circles around,
Till I find myself right back...in To-Do List Town

To-Do List Town by Toby Cash Jr.

LYRICS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Verse]
Momma never knew the right way to keep a man,
But she knew how to holler with a bottle in her hand,
She taught me lovin' can be loud, but it hardly ever lasts
If it's gonna end in flames, might as well just strike the match,

But momma had a way, her feelin's always changed,
A calm before every storm and then the ragin' hurricane,
And i remember on the porch swing, she'd tell me "love is pain
Darlin' take a look at me, and don't you ever look away"

[Chorus]
Cause
Sometimes I’m sunshine, sometimes I'm rain,
And somedays I love you, Then somedays i cain't
I’ll beg you to stay, Just to push you away,
'Cause getting too close is all it really takes...

For my heart to Break

[Verse]
I met a lady some years later after I was on my own,
Like lightning in a bottle from the center of a cyclone,
And I swore I saw forever when she held me that first night,
But love that burns too bold just don’t always treat you right.
  
Borderline like momma, She reminded me at times,
She’d hold me like a hero, then charge me like a crime,
Yeah the highs were the brightest heaven 'till the fire filled her eyes,
And she gave the same 'ole answer when i finally asked her why

[Chorus]
Cause
Sometimes I’m sunshine, sometimes I'm rain,
And somedays I love you, Then somedays i cain't
I’ll beg you to stay, Just to push you away,
'Cause getting too close is all it really takes...

For my heart to Break

[Bridge]
I know it’s not your fault, but I can’t stay and fight,
You’ve got your demons, and I’ve got mine, 
I see the hurt inside you, I wish i could heal the scars
But sometimes love just ain't enough, to fix who we are, 

[Chorus]
Cause
Sometimes you're sunshine, sometimes you're rain,
And somedays you love me, Then somedays You cain't
I’ll beg you to stay, And you'll push me away,
'Cause getting too close is all really it takes...

For your heart to Break

Sometimes I'm Sunshine by Toby Cash Jr.

Just a Happy Little Platypus (CPAP Song)

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) provides support, research, and training to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and professionals across Michigan.

Pathfinders Support Services Pty Ltd is one of the most reputed names in the disability sector. Our support workers and caregivers are highly experienced and trained and possess great skills to help people with special needs in the best possible manner. Our experts understand that every participant has unique needs. Hence, we work closely with them to understand their specific requirements, and based on that, we come up with the best plan to provide quality disability services in Adelaide.

A weekly show about navigating life in the world of disabilities. We bring you resources, top experts, stories and more!

Hey, I’m Toby Cash Jr., a songwriter and producer from Boise, ID. I write music for people with disabilities and special needs, drawing inspiration from the amazing individuals I’ve met or who are part of my life.

Right now, I’m using AI as a tool to bring my ideas to life, since performing them myself isn’t an option. But my ultimate goal is to collaborate with real artists and turn these songs into full tracks, giving back to the community.

I write all my lyrics, and I use AI to help with production—but these songs are mine through and through. I wrote them, produced them, created them, and I own them. That said, I will never allow my music to generate any income. This is all for people with disabilities, special needs, and the incredible people who support them.

Graphics, Videos, and more coming very soon!

DJ Isis Beats a.k.a. DJ Isyss Beats: The Evolution of Sound

(Also known as RemixxedRadio on Twitter, The Listening Lounge on Facebook, and Blakquemuddartz on YouTube)

If there's one thing about DJ Isis Beats, it’s that she’s always innovating, always evolving, always pushing the boundaries of sound. She ain’t just making music—she’s crafting an experience, a movement, a whole new way of hearing and feeling music.

She’s been in this game, from playing classical instruments to making raw beats in real-time, from rocking underground house parties to curating soundscapes that hit straight to the soul. Her approach isn’t just about playing tracks—it’s about creating something fresh, something legendary, something uniquely hers.

The Art of the Craft: More Than Just a DJ

Anybody can play a song.
Anybody can mix a beat.
But not everybody can create a sound.

Isis is an artist, a producer, an architect of music. She’s not just in the mix—she’s building a whole new frequency.

And now, she’s taking things to a whole other level.

AI as an Instrument: Like Roger Troutman With the Talkbox

Technology has always been part of music. From synths to drum machines, from samplers to autotune, from vocoders to talkboxes—the greats knew how to take a tool and make it their own.

That’s the vision.

AI? It’s just another instrument in the mix.

Like Roger Troutman with the voice box.

Like Herbie Hancock with the synthesizer.

Like J Dilla pushing the limits of an MPC.

It’s about crafting a signature sound, bending it, shaping it, and making it something no one else can replicate. AI ain’t about shortcuts—it’s about enhancing creativity, opening up new possibilities, and bringing a vision to life in ways that weren’t possible before.

Isis gets it—and she plans to flip it, twist it, and reinvent it in a way that’s all her own.

The Grind: From the Underground to the Universe

This journey wasn’t handed to her. She’s had to build, break, rebuild, and keep pushing.

She’s lost equipment, time, opportunities—but never lost the drive.

She’s had to hustle her music through SoundCloud, Audiomack, Podomatic, while still fighting to break into platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

She’s worked with limited tools and still made something real—but now, she’s leveling up.

And she ain’t just trying to be good at one thing. She’s trying to master them all.

Rap? She’s going in.

Singing? She’s elevating.

Reggae, jazz, electronic, hip-hop? She’s blending it all.

Production, engineering, filmmaking, promotion? She’s crafting a full experience.

This isn’t just about one lane. She’s building an empire.

For the People Who Are Listening

She’s not here to pop up out of nowhere with some polished, industry-fed product—she wants you to experience the journey in real-time.

She wants her audience to see the growth, hear the progression, and be part of something bigger than just a song or a beat.

And she appreciates every single listener, every supporter, every person who’s rocking with her through the evolution.

Her old pages—Podomatic, SoundCloud, Audiomack—will always be up, showing where she’s been. But where she’s going? That’s a whole different level.

The new website is coming, the sound is expanding, and the vision is clearer than ever.

Because at the end of the day?

It’s not about the tools. It’s about the artist who knows how to use them.
And DJ Isis Beats is about to take it all to the next level.

Thanks for listening. Much love.



A small team of caring individuals dedicated to bridging the gap between technology and people with disabilities.

Europe's best independent music station based in Luxembourg! English speaking.

One of the few artists today not worried about image or following trends, Michael Manicotti proves his worth through his unique ability to cross from electronic, rock, country, blues and hip hop with his own distinct brand. Songs inspired by real life experiences, Michael is a must have on your playlist.

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) facilitates discoveries and best practices to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. More than 200 faculty affiliated with Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are engaged in multidisciplinary research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination. The VKC’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) works to improve assessment and treatment services for children with autism while advancing knowledge and training.

New tracks tagged #disabilities