On July 25, 2005 Equip for Equality (EFE), as the Governor designated and federally mandated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities in Illinois, called on Governor Blagojevich for a second time to order the closure of Choate Developmental Center. Choate is Illinois' southern most state-run institution for people with developmental disabilities. EFE issued its second call for closure in response to the most recent examination of the institution by state and federal survey agencies which revealed significant ongoing problems jeopardizing the safety and well being of the nearly 200 people living there.

EFE's first call for closure in February 2005 resulted from its own independent nine-month investigation which "revealed a litany of tragedies, inexcusable failures and the profound mistreatment of people with disabilities," said Deborah Kennedy, Director of EFE's Abuse Investigation Unit. Among those tragedies was the death of an individual who choked on a meatball. She choked to death even though she was supposed to have ongoing, one-on-one staff supervision and while a doctor was only 30 feet away in an office. The doctor never heard the emergency code blue called by staff because his pager was not working. The facility administrators knew for at least 8 months prior to her death that the emergency code system was not working.

The extensive investigation by EFE also documented:

• Deaths due to inadequate healthcare
• Numerous instances of abuse and neglect
• Excessive use of mechanical restraints in violation of state and federal law
• Failure to protect individuals from sexual assault
• Failure to prevent individuals with pica behaviors from eating inedible objects
• Failure to provide adequate supervision, programs or treatment
• Failure to provide effective communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Failure to document critical information
• Failure to investigate the cause of numerous injuries
• Failure to treat individuals with dignity

In response to these findings, the Departments of Human Services and Public Health instituted measures in an effort to address the most significant problems. Despite the infusion of substantial resources, the State's effort to "fix" Choate has fallen far short. In the most recent examination of Choate, the federal/state survey team found that the same serious problems identified by EFE continue to plague the institution.

"More individuals have died, treatment and programming are scarce, individuals' rights are being arbitrarily restricted and the simplest forms of human dignity and choice are being denied," said Deborah Kennedy, "The influx of resources did not prevent an individual with profound mental retardation from leaving her group unnoticed by staff, finding an unlocked office, locking herself in and using scissors to cut her hair and genitals."

Surveyors found significant deficiencies in 7 of the 8 conditions that facilities such as Choate must meet to be in minimal compliance with federal standards in order to participate in the Medicaid program. No other state-run institution in Illinois has been cited for so many violations during one survey.

The same kinds of tragedies and failures occurring at Choate led the State to close the Lincoln Developmental Center in August 2002 when all efforts to improve that institution failed despite the infusion of substantial resources over an extended period of time. While Choate, like Lincoln, has prepared a plan to address the most serious deficiencies, the institution's history of repeated egregious failures to meet even the most basic and fundamental standards of care and safety demonstrate that its ability to sustain even modest improvements is highly unlikely.

"It is a culture that is not amenable to change, but one which dehumanizes individuals with disabilities and ignores their fundamental rights to live safely, free from harm and provided with sufficient amounts of food and appropriate clothing, shelter and medical care," said Kennedy.

"We strongly recommend that the State immediately shift its focus from fixing Choate to closing the institution," said Zena Naiditch, President and CEO of EFE. "Closing Choate provides the State with the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to serving people with disabilities in the fashion that the law demands, and the opportunity to shift away from an archaic institutional model to a community-based system of programs and services, a system that remains woefully under funded in this state."




Advocates from across Illinois are gearing up for Freedom Ride '05, a bus tour and caravan across the state designed to draw media attention to Illinois' lack of community-based services. The Freedom Rides were used during the Civil Rights movement in the ‘60s to bring national attention to racial prejudice in the South. Now, it’s our turn and we are riding throughout the state to make our case.

The Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois is partnering with the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois, the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois, the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living and many other groups and individuals to form a statewide planning body for the event. The tour kicks off Monday, October 17th in Alton and winds it way over the next four days to Effingham, Champaign-Urbana, Joliet, DuPage County, Galesburg and Bloomington. The Freedom Ride will end in Springfield on Thursday, October 20th. Individual press events are being planned at each stop.

There are a number of ways you can get involved:

1) Participate in the event nearest you - Media events will take place at each stop along the route. Freedom Riders and local advocates will unite for these events. For more information on the event nearest you, email: info@realchoiceinillinois.org or call CCDI at (800) 433-8848 (V/TTY).

2) Participate in the ride itself - To obtain an application for the ride, visit www.realchoiceinillinois.org or call CCDI at (800) 433-8848 (V/TTY). Complete information on time, dates, locations and costs will be provided.

3) Sign the petition - Below is a copy of the Community First Act petition. The Act would allow people with disabilities and seniors living in (or eligible to live in) institutions the choice to live in the community with the same funding that would have been spent on them in the institution or nursing home. Signed petitions will be presented to legislators during the Freedom Ride.

4) Sponsor a rider - If you can't go on the ride yourself, but would still like to help out financially, sponsoring a rider is the way to go.

Make checks payable and mail to:
Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois
c/o Champaign County Health Care Consumers
44 East Main, Suite #208
Champaign, IL 61820

In Your Words
Special Commentary on the Anniversary of the ADA

By CCDI Member Ray Campbell

July 26, 2005
To the editor:

Today, July 26, 2005, represents an important anniversary for people with disabilities. On this day 15 years ago, then President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. By the stroke of his pen on that day, the President said to millions of people with disabilities that our civil rights are just as important as those of other minority groups. He also said that we have as much of a right as anyone else to maximize our participation in American society as does anyone else.

What has the ADA meant to people with disabilities? I can speak first hand on this subject as I am a person with a disability since I live every day with a visual impairment. The ADA has afforded people with disabilities like me greater access to employment. No longer can employers refuse to hire people with disabilities simply because of myths, attitudes and stereotypes about us. If I am the most qualified job candidate for example, an employer cannot refuse to hire me simply because I am blind.

Because of the ADA, state and local government programs and services must be made accessible to people with disabilities. Many reading this who push children in strollers, pull a rolling briefcase or deliver items from place to place in carts appreciate that there are ramps and curb cuts which make it easier for you to do these things. This shows that the adaptations needed to help people with disabilities also benefit the greater society in general. If you go to a strange city and use their public transportation system, you probably appreciate that stops are announced so you have some idea where you are. You are benefiting from an ADA requirement that stops be announced to assist passengers like me who are blind.

Because of the ADA, people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have speech disabilities can make a phone call to discuss business, talk to a contractor about doing work on their homes or just order a pizza. Many of you who use pay phones at airports and other busy places appreciate that they are amplified so you can hear what is being said on the other end. Once again, this represents something designed for people with disabilities that the general public benefits from.

Because of the ADA, I can go to a store and receive the help I need shopping. No longer can the store say to me that I have to bring someone with me; they must make a reasonable effort to help me. No longer can a restaurant wait person refuse to read the menu to me as they must make the menu information available to me in a format I can use.

ADA has resulted in many good changes to our society. However, challenges still remain. Here in DuPage County, I cannot go into my polling place on election day and vote by a secret, independently verifiable ballot even though technology is available which would make that possible. This is also true throughout Illinois. I still must rely on someone to assist me in voting and thus, have someone else know how I choose to vote and trust that they are marking my ballot as I have requested. The unemployment rate of working-age people with disabilities is still unacceptably high, around 70%. Unfortunately, there are still too many people with cruel, outdated attitudes and misperceptions about people with disabilities and what they can do. There has been a rash of court decisions over the past few years which have narrowed the scope of the ADA, whittling away at the civil rights protections it guaranteed to people like me. While transportation is more accessible to people with disabilities, the ADA said nothing about making sure those like me who live in places such as DuPage County who need transportation options other than driving would have transportation available. It said people with disabilities need to have equal access to transportation as non-disabled people. What it failed to take into account is that many non-disabled people have an alternative source of transportation which many with disabilities do not have, the private automobile. And, recent situations such as the Terry Schiavo saga show that there are too many who view disability as a fate worse than death.

Happy Anniversary ADA. Let's join together in solidarity to celebrate this important civil rights law and the betterment of our greater society which it has brought with it. With equal fervor, let's work together to address the myths, misperceptions, attitudes and challenges which still hold people with disabilities back in many cases in our country. I call upon Federal, state and local government elected and appointed officials, business, educational institutions, transit system operators, the disability community, private citizens and others I haven't mentioned to come together, celebrate ADA's successes and resolve to make the United States of America the most accessible, welcoming place for all people with disabilities.

Ray Campbell
Glen Ellyn, IL

Civic Access Agreement to Increase Will County Accessibility

In late July, Joliet City officials reached an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department that will mean $50,000 worth of accessibility improvements to buildings occupied by Will County. The "civic access agreement" will help bring the buildings in compliance with ADA standards.

Last fall, the civil rights division of the U.S. Justice Department found violations in about 24 buildings Will County owns or rents. Attorneys for County Executive Larry Walsh proposed the consent degree to address the violations.

In a recent Chicago Tribune article, Walsh's attorney Frank Burkey said, "The essence of this agreement is that buildings built before the adoption of ADA are in one sense exempt, but we must demonstrate how we can have our programs available to people with disabilities, not withstanding the barriers. The idea is that we will make our buildings accessible."

Walsh was invited to Washington DC to sign the resolution just days before the 15th anniversary of the ADA.

Among the changes slated to take affect over the next two years are new washrooms in the Health Department building and the Will County Office Building. Changes to the front of the county building that make it more accessible to wheelchair users have already been completed.

Movies From Mars

By Marlin “Mars” Thomas

Movies and television are not just entertainment. They have the ability to shape opinions, introduce new ideas and solidify attitudes about our world and the people in it. The inaccurate portrayal of people with disabilities in movies has long been a sticking point for many disability rights advocates.

“Movies From Mars” is a monthly column written by Marlin “Mars” Thomas. Mars is from Alton, IL where he works at the IMPACT Center for Independent Living. He studied film at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Mars has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair.

In Theaters Now!
Murderball (2005)
Staring: Mark Zupan, Joe Soares
Director: Henry Alex Rubin, David Adam Shapiro
Length: 1 hr. 26 mins

I have always enjoyed extreme sports. Skateboards, snowboards, BMX bikes - all have been objects to adore and amaze me. I wondered what wheelchair sports added to this genre of no holds barred excitement. The answer was in a sport called Quad Rugby. It is a game that combines armored wheelchairs, crashing, a ball and enough attitude and bravado to make John Madden blink. This satisfyingly violent sport has been brought to media attention in the form of a documentary called Murderball.

By the title, one might think this is the name of a sport in a Mad Max movie. In actuality, it is an excellent film documenting the games and lives of the US Quad Rugby team. Murderball takes the audience through the particulars of the players' lives on the court, while giving a glimpse into their personal lives. It is fast-paced and handles each personality and situation without passing judgment. The film does not try to hide anything or be politically correct or inspiring. It is an honest look into lives of these men in chairs. I am sure it is an eye-opener for many people who are nondisabled because of its rawness. The audience hears about how the athletes deal with their friendships, relationships, enemies, sexuality and humor, in different ways (or like most of us). This is one of the best documentaries that I have seen. It is one of the few films that handles its subjects with respect instead of scorn or admiration.

The view of people with disabilities is forthright. These guys are not heroic. They are not hopeless invalids. They are a dose of reality. They are true athletes who have flaws as well as talent and heart. In movies and television, that perspective is lost among MDA telethons, Million Dollar Baby and inspirational crip tales. Murderball does not shy away from the truth of any one of the players' lives. Even when discussing their sport, they talk about nondisabled people confusing quad rugby with Special Olympics. They scoff at the idea of that confusion and want to be disassociated. I find it interesting that, even now, there seems to be a separatist view among disability groups.

In addition, there is a lot of humor in this documentary. Finally, I can relate to some disability humor in a film. In one scene, an "in-the-box" prank made me cry with laughter. I have never laughed so hard during a documentary. Murderball shows many sides of disability with accuracy and clarity. It shows honesty where other documentaries simply manipulate emotion.

Overall, Murderball is a much needed addition to disability film and documentaries in general. It is a documentary with as much excitement and action as any blockbuster movie. Its unwavering truth and honesty makes it worthy of its praise (and R rating). I hope that you are near a theater that shows it. Even better would be a theater that captions it (unlike the theater where I watched). I am glad that there is a film like Murderball. I have hope that PWDs will actually make their mark in film, instead of being a plot device or an inspirational token. Murderball is a good extreme.

Quality: 4 Stars
Disability: 4 Wheelchairs

Survivor Christy Smith Keynotes Youth Summit

Youth participants and mentors at the Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit were treated to a special keynote address from Christy Smith. Smith is best known for her appearance on the popular television reality show, Survivor: The Amazon.

Smith, who visited the Summit on July 25th, spoke about her experiences as the only deaf participant to ever compete on the show. Her message to the youth in the crowd was about overcoming fear and achieving your goals.

Smith says that she was not a fan of the show Survivor before auditioning to be a contestant in 2001, but went ahead and tried out at the prompting of her father who was an avid viewer.

"I thought, they will never choose me, I'm deaf," said Smith. "But they kept calling me back and then asked me to be on the show; I was shocked!"

Smith described her 31 days in the Amazon as difficult. She said her fellow castaways weren't interested in communicating with her or learning any sign language - something she wouldn't tolerate in her everyday life at home, but was forced to adapt to while on the show.

Even though Smith didn't win the $1 million Survivor prize, she was able to achieve something else. Recently Smith had the opportunity to meet Survivor Castaway Chad from the Vanuatu series. Chad told Smith he wouldn't have had a chance to be on Survivor if she hadn't paved the way for people with disabilities. Although Chad is not deaf, he does have an artificial leg.

Smith is currently working on a Colorado Public Television series that combines both hearing and deaf children on an adventure. Smith says she hopes it will be picked for national syndication in the near future.

Accessible TV: Television of, by and for the people

By: Valerie Brew-Parrish, M.S.

Joliet Chapter member Valerie Brew-Parrish currently writes a bi-weekly column for her local newspaper, The Herald News. She is also a monthly contributor to The Catalyst.

Lights, camera, action! How many actors or actresses can you recall that have disabilities? Let's see . . . there was Geri Jewell. She was the cousin of Blair on the Facts of Life sitcom in the 1980's. Geri's disability is cerebral palsy and I haven't seen her on TV in years. Christopher Burke, who was born with Down syndrome, had a recurring role on Our House during the 1980's. A few times, he also appeared on Touched by An Angel.

My favorite actor was another angel, the late Michael Landon. He was a champion in promoting actors with disabilities. Few people know that Matthew Laborteaux who played the role of Albert, son of Charles Ingles, on Little House on the Prairie series, is autistic. When Landon introduced Highway to Heaven, he also launched the acting career of James Troesh. Never before to my knowledge, had a real actor with quadriplegia using a sip and puff wheelchair been shown on TV. Most importantly, the role Troesh played as Scotty was dignified. Scotty was a successful attorney, and married to a nondisabled woman.

Landon frequently had themes in his shows about the negative attitudes the public has about persons with disabilities. When a young punk deliberately parked in an accessible reserved space, Jonathan, the angel used his powers to plop the auto upside down! Oh, how I wish I had powers to zap cars out of those coveted spots. Landon also wrote and directed shows about Tom Sullivan, a totally blind person who climbed mountains, and had a family.

It staggers the imagination to realize that worldwide there are over 600 million people with significant disabilities. There are approximately 54-56 million Americans with disabilities and the numbers keep increasing. Yet, mainstream media such as CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC, and CBS never focuses on real live persons with disabilities.

On the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the People With disabilities Broadcasting Corporation (PWdBC) formally unveiled their website creating and maintaining an electrifying new disability media presence. This new corporation will create the first 24-hour, seven day a week, TV channel "of, by, and for persons with disabilities." This channel will feature dramas, sports, news, and other features. It will also promote and design programming that will be accessible for all persons.

The PWdBC was founded by Howard Renensland who has an adult daughter with developmental disabilities. Renesland believes that too few persons with disabilities appear in television and film. Likewise, people with disabilities are not represented in the creative behind the scenes processes of networks. This new corporation aims at true inclusion. I was pleased to read that James Troesh will be a board advisor along with several other movers and shakers on disability rights for this innovative and long overdue broadcast corporation. Somehow, I believe Michael Landon is looking down from heaven with a big grin on his face.

Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program Update

The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) is designed to help low income residents save fuel and money, while increasing the comfort of their homes.

IHWAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the state supplemental Energy Assistance Fund. Weatherization services are provided by local Community Action Agencies or not-for-profit agencies throughout the state.

Although most dwellings waste energy, different types of houses and apartments have different energy problems. Depending on the circumstances and condition of your dwelling, some of the following weatherization work may be done:

• Sealing cracks with weatherstrip and caulk
• Insulating attics and walls
• Repairing windows and doors
• Replacing windows

Weatherization services include having an experienced heating contractor examine your heating system. This contractor will make sure the heating system is safe and in good working order. Work on your furnace may include one or more of the following:

• Clean and tune
• Repair
• Retrofit
• In some cases, replacement of the unit

To locate the agency that serves your area, or to learn more about the program call CCDI at (217) 522-7016 (V/T) or toll free at (800) 433-8848 (VT).

Northern Illinois Shooting Classic for People with Disabilities Wrap-Up

On July 9, 2005, over 180 people from across Illinois attended the Northern Illinois Shooting Classic - the largest event of it kind in Illinois to date!

"It was a hit!" said CCDI Board President-Elect Jay Williams. Williams, who works for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Disabled Outdoor Opportunities Program, is one of the primary organizers of the event, and said this year was the most successful yet.

Williams reports that the event took place at the Aurora Sportsman's Club, a venue donated free of charge each year. Other support came from the Safari Club International - Chicago Chapter. Williams said that without the financial support of David Zellmer and the Safari Club, the event wouldn't be possible.

Participants to the Shooting Classic were able to try out a variety of different activities such as archery, trap shooting and rifle shooting.

Among the participants was CCDI Board President Fern Pinkley. Pinkley said she wasn't there in the official capacity of her Board office though - "I went to shoot," said Pinkley.

Pinkley is an experienced marksman, but the Aurora shooting event offered her opportunities she'd never had before. With the assistance of a volunteer, Pinkley was able to take aim and fire a .22 caliber rifle.

"I didn’t have the hand strength to move the bolt," said Pinkley. "So, every time I got ready to shoot a volunteer helped me load the shell."

Williams said it's "not just a man's sport," and Pinkley agreed. She said she wasn't at all intimidated that she was the only female shooter and she also encourages everyone to get out and give it a try.

If you missed the Northern Illinois Shooting Classic, you have another opportunity to get involved. On October 8, 2005 the 7th Annual Rend Lake Shooting Classic will kick off in Southern Illinois. The Rend Lake event includes a day of shooting and archery for participants with disabilities and a banquet later that evening.

"As a person with a disability and a family, there isn't a lot that the whole family can go out and do together," said Pinkley. "Things like miniature golf aren’t accessible, but this is."

In fact, Ms Pinkley has already made arrangements for herself, husband Gary and son Timothy to attend the Rend Lake event.

There are no entry fees, and anyone with a disability over the age of 15 is welcome to participate. Spectators are welcome and volunteer instructors will be on hand to assist participants with their equipment.

Anyone with any type of disability is encouraged to participate. Whether you are an accomplished marksman or just want to find out more, contact Jay Williams at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at (618) 439-9111 ext. 257 or via e-mail at: JWILLIAMS1@dnrmail.state.il.us

Congress Should Not Pay Federal Budget Deficits by Robbing Low-income Families

By Holly Copeland-Lasley, Food Security Specialist, ICAA

The federal government is considering scaling back food assistance for low-income families and, if such a proposal is approved, thousands will suffer needlessly throughout the country.

For Illinois residents, food stamps and other federal programs such as the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, the Summer Food Service Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program are essential for keeping families fed and healthy. Community Action Agencies throughout Illinois work with the families served by these programs in an attempt to lift them out of poverty through job training, income supports, energy assistance, weatherizing homes, Head Start, emergency food vouchers, food pantries and various other programs and services. Reducing funding for these vital federal food programs will increase the pressure on Community Action Agencies and other community based organizations to provide more relief at a time when resources are already scarce.

Since the 1990s, the United States has made incredible progress in the area of welfare reform, but cutting food assistance exceeds reasonable boundaries. Food assistance should be one of the last items Congress reduces as a means of cutting costs. Reducing food aid would deplete local economies across the country, negatively impact farmers, create excess demand at local food banks and pantries and subject working American families and elderly populations on very low incomes to food insecurity, hunger and possible malnutrition.

A head of household working 40 hours a week at the federal minimum wage will gross $824 each month. If this head of household had no children, their income would be insufficient to pay for rent, health insurance, transportation and food. If you add one or more children into the family, you can see that without basic income supports, such as Food Stamps, WIC, the School Breakfast & Lunch Program, etc, these families would be unable to eat while also securing life's other necessities. Unless our lowest income populations begin to receive a "living wage" from their employers, income support programs are necessary to prevent the senseless threats of food security and homelessness.

For these reasons, legislators and other community leaders must represent and care about the interests of marginalized populations, especially children and the elderly, who are most likely to suffer from deprivation of essential vitamins and nutrients. It should be the priority of every policymaker to ensure that the basic needs of the population they serve are met. In a resource-rich country like the United States, the existence of hunger is inexcusable.

In response to the possibility of Congress cutting funding for federal food programs, the Illinois Community Action Association has signed onto a letter being circulated by the Food Research and Action Center that opposes funding cuts to the Food Stamp Program and damaging structural changes. I urge constituents to become active in the fight against hunger. You can urge your local congressional delegates that cutting funding for federal food programs is not an acceptable means to balancing the federal budget.

Preventing hunger and malnutrition should be on the agendas of the president, legislators, local officials and even private citizens to help ensure a healthy population. As a nation and as a state, we must make difficult budgetary decisions, but reducing food assistance would hurt families and the economy, and should never be considered as an option to reduce spending.

CCDI Member Competes in Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant

In late July, CCDI Board Treasurer Tammy Hall traveled to Albany, New York where she competed in the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant.

Hall (38) was crowned as Ms. Wheelchair Illinois during the March 12, 2005 competition held in Tinley Park. Since then she has made dozens of personal appearances across Illinois.

Hall went up against stiff competition in Albany with Ms. Wheelchair America contestants from 28 states competing.

"I was surprised," said Hall. "Even though we all from many different parts of the U.S., we all had a common goal - advocacy!"

Hall went on to explain that the Ms. Wheelchair Pageant isn't a beauty contest. Although the format closely resembles pageants like Miss America, the primary focus is not on physical appearance.

Although Hall did not place in the final five, she says she wouldn't trade the experience for anything. "It was amazing!" said Hall. "The people you meet and relationships you build are unbelievable."

In particular Hall said she struck up a friendship with Ms. Wheelchair Colorado Chanda Hinton.

"I think we’ll be hearing a lot from Chanda in the future," said Hall.

Ms. Wheelchair Rhode Island was crowned the winner.

The Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant was held from July 19-24 at the Albany Marriot Suits. The hectic schedule of the event kept participants busy for the full week.

Events included judging, platform speeches and a "Wheels of Dreams" expo that featured vendors and services for people with disabilities. Hall represented Illinois at the expo with her Ms. Wheelchair Illinois display. Hall traveled to Albany with family in a van painted with slogans like "Honk for Ms. Wheelchair Illinois."

"It was great, people showed their support all the way there," said Hall. In addition to her family, Hall was joined in New York by friends from Illinois Darrow Hozian and Janice Faulstich and Hall competitor in the Ms. Wheelchair Illinois competition Erica Henry.

Look Ma, No Hands!
Disability Inspires Invention of the ‘Baba Belt’

By Jessica Hayes, CCDI Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator

If necessity is the mother of invention, then disability may well be the father of invention - at least in Arik Bannister's case anyway.

A resident of Aurora, IL, Bannister (36) became a new father just over a year ago when his son Cole was born.

"I was running a business and doing millions of things at one time and I just wished there was a way to feed the baby while using the computer or talking on the telephone," said Bannister who happens to be an experienced inventor. It wasn't long before Bannister created the first prototype of what was to become the Baba Belt.

"The first one I made looked dangerous," said Bannister. "It was held together with safety pins and Velcro - not kid friendly at all."

But the Baba Belt worked and with the encouragement of wife Colleen, Bannister began marketing the product through his company Gubbinsway Falls Inc. Gubbinsway sells a variety of products Bannister has developed including furniture and modern, contemporary home décor pieces.

Mother Colleen says she uses the Baba Belt every time she feeds the baby. The Baba Belt has proven to be a hit with parents everywhere, and Bannister attributes both its inspiration and success to his disability.

As an adult, Bannister was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, or A.D.D. for short. Adult A.D.D. is most frequently associated with characteristic features such as distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness. Studies suggest that millions of children may have A.D.D., but there aren't any hard numbers on how many adults may be living with the disorder.

Bannister describes A.D.D. as "trying to watch TV and you keep changing the channel. Everything you see is really interesting to you, but you keep forgetting what you were just watching and moving on to a new channel."

A.D.D. isn't the type of disability most people assume would inspire an invention like the Baba Belt, but Bannister makes it clear that his invention is a direct result of it. In fact, Bannister attributes almost all of his creativity and diverse talent to the disability.

"98% of people with A.D.D. are extremely creative," said Bannister. He also says that medication was the key to his success as an adult with A.D.D.

"It was like a miracle," said Bannister. "When I started taking the medication it was like someone flipped a switch in my brain and I could look at myself for the first time."

It was Bannister's father Edward, who first recognized the use of the Baba Belt as a piece of assistive technology for other people with disabilities. A former Board President of CCDI, Edward immediately saw the potential for parents with physical disabilities that limited the use of their hands or arms, not to mention parents who use wheelchairs - the Baba Belt leaves one hand free for pushing a chair's wheels or steering a scooter.

The Baba Belt consists of a fully adjustable strap that fits around the parent's neck. An elastic sleeve holds the baby bottle and can be tilted to just the right angle for feeding. Baba Belts sell for $10.00 each and come in all of the standard baby colors - pink, yellow and blue. The Baba Belt is machine washable and the elastic sleeve fits all sizes of baby bottles.

Bannister manufactures the Baba Belts in his home, and while it is hard to estimate exactly how many he has sold in the last year, it is clear their popularity is taking off.

Bannister and the Baba Belt have been featured in the suburban Chicago newspapers The Beacon News and The Naperville Sun, and the device has also received favorable reviews from the online parent resource, thedabblingmum.com.

To learn more about the Baba Belt and other products available through Gubbinsway Falls Inc., visit them online at: http:// www.gubbinswayfalls.com/bababelt.htm .

To learn more about Attention Deficit Disorder, visit http:// www.chadd.org .