All Recent News
MSHA ranked #2; SHP has 3 in U.S. News & World Report Top 20
![US News Rankings](/shp/hsa/images/M_images/US_News_Rankings.png)
Albin donates Gossman thesis to UAB PT
![Albin Morris](/shp/news/images/events/Albin_Morris.png)
UAB PT leads way in promoting national program on health for people with disabilities
![PT ICDI 01](/shp/news/images/events/PT_ICDI_01.jpg)
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Nestlé, UAB and Woodlawn Foundation team up for early childhood nutrition education
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SHP hosts Inaugural Dodgeball Tournament
![Dodge Ball logo](/shp/news/images/M_images/Dodge_Ball_logo.jpg)
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Dietetic Internship graduates 50th class
Congratulations to the UAB Dietetic Internship program. At 10 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2014, the program in the School of Health Professions graduated their 50th class.
Read moreHigh-Tech hide-and-seek being played in UAB classroom
![SAM 940 NormanBolus HalieStephenson ShannonPettway](/shp/news/images/M_images/SAM_940_NormanBolus_HalieStephenson_ShannonPettway.jpg)
However, they are not looking for each other and they cannot see what they are looking for. Read more
PT program celebrates 50 years
![Past PT Faculty Celebrate Program's 50th Anniversary](/shp/news/images/M_images/Group_01.jpg)
On Saturday, May 17, 2014, the School of Health Professions celebrated the UAB PT program's 50th anniversary with a dinner and reception at The Club in Birmingham. In addition to alumni from nearly every class of graduates, many of the founding members were in attendance including Joan Bergman, the first physical therapist hired by University Hospital, who initiated the UAB PT program.
SEE MORE: pictures from the 50th anniversary event Read more
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UAB recognizes clinical nutrition pioneer Weinsier
UAB graduates 1st class of Saudi Arabian hospital administrators
![Graduation Ceremony](/shp/news/images/events/Graduation_Ceremony.jpeg)
Delitto, renowned PT researcher, named inaugural Gossman Lecturer
![Tony Delitto](/shp/news/images/head_shot/Tony_Delitto.jpg)
UAB program uses Standardized Patients, Simulators to prepare Genetic Counseling students
![GC Sim Lab web 01](/shp/news/images/events/GC_Sim_Lab_web_01.jpg)
Delivering the news is a second-year graduate student in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Genetic Counseling Program. This is the first time the student will have the opportunity to deliver this type of abnormal test result during her training as a genetic counselor.
Fortunately for all involved, this is a simulation session where the mother is a standardized patient and the baby is a high-fidelity mannequin. The session provides the genetic counseling class members the opportunity to deliver difficult and complex genetic test information in a realistic, yet supervised environment. Unfortunately, this will not be the last time any of them deliver bad news. Read more
UAB School of Health Professions Dedicates new Building Addition
![2013.10.11 Ribbon Cutting](/shp/news/images/head_shot/images/2013.10.11_Ribbon_Cutting.jpg)
Physician Assistant program offering three options for workforce needs
![Surigcal Physician Assistant options](/shp/news/images/head_shot/images/Surigcal_Physician_Assistant_options.jpg)
HSA graduates first Executive Doctoral class Dec. 15
John McWhorter is graduating from the first Executive Doctoral class on Dec. 15. John McWhorter has a lot on his plate. He’s the president of Baylor University Medical Center and Senior Vice President Hospital Division at Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, Texas. He’s responsible for $2.7 billion in revenues for 18 hospitals and more than 12,000 employees. He’s a family man whose mission works have led him to Africa, Belize, Honduras and Mexico.
It would seem that McWhorter has little time for anything else. In just over three years, he has managed to squeeze in a doctoral degree. On December 15, 2012, McWhorter will be one of eight people graduating from the first class of the Executive Doctor of Science Degree in Administration-Health Services from the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Read more![](/shp/news/images/head_shot/james_rimmer_Lakeshore.png)
Helping people with disabilities become more physically active is focus of new UAB initiative
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Birmingham-based Lakeshore Foundation have partnered on an initiative made possible by a $6-million, five-year grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to find ways to improve health outcomes among disabled persons.
Read moreUse the holidays to gather your family's health history
![lynn_holt talks family history during holidays](/shp/news/images/head_shot/images/lynn_holt_genetic_holidays.jpg)
If you don’t know the answer to these and other family health questions, this holiday season is the perfect time to mine for information from both sides of your family on your family’s health history, says UAB Genetic Counselor Lynn Holt. Read more
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New Rehabilitation Science doctoral program offered at SHP
Two University of Alabama at Birmingham departments have joined forces to create a new doctoral program. The Department of Occupational Therapy and Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions is offering a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science this fall.
Read more![](/shp/news/images/CEDHARS/couple-on-bench.jpg)
Trending news and stories in the disability community
Welcome back for the next installment of trending news and stories in the disability community. This edition features articles on the United States Deaf Women's National Team, advances in accessible travel and gaming, and much more.
If you come across a piece of media of any sort, from articles to movies and anything in between, please share with us at CEDHARS@uab.edu.
Sony Access Controller for PlayStation 5 | New MobilityOpens an external link.
This article discusses Sony's new accessibility initiative with the Access Controller for PlayStation 5. Designed for gamers with disabilities, it features customizable buttons, joysticks and touchpads, aiming to enhance inclusivity in gaming. The controller allows users to adapt its layout to their specific needs, enabling a more comfortable and enjoyable gaming experience. Sony collaborated with accessibility experts to ensure the device meets diverse user requirements, reflecting a significant step towards making gaming more accessible and accommodating for all players.
At a major aircraft expo last month, two big players in aviation each unveiled their own innovative wheelchair-securement solutions that could revolutionize flying for disabled passengers. The securement systems of both Delta Flight Products and Collins Aerospace let wheelchair users remain in their chairs while flying and require little modification to airline cabins. Read more about the new designs and how close they are to taking to the skies.
This feature story profiles the United States Deaf Women's National Team (USDWNT), highlighting its challenges and achievements in soccer. Composed of deaf and hard-of-hearing players, the team faces communication barriers on and off the field but excels through American Sign Language (ASL) and visual cues. Despite limited recognition compared to the U.S. Women's National Team, the USDWNT competes internationally, promoting inclusivity and demonstrating their skill at the Deaflympics and other tournaments. Their journey underscores the resilience and talent within the deaf soccer community.
This story from Shape highlights women who are pioneering adaptive fitness, focusing on inclusivity and accessibility in exercise. It features leaders like Tanya Habecker, who advocates for adaptive cycling, and Chelsey Anderson, who promotes yoga for all abilities. These women challenge stereotypes and expand opportunities for people with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of tailored workouts and community support. Their efforts aim to create a more inclusive fitness landscape that celebrates diversity and empowers individuals of all abilities to engage in physical activity.
In response to criticism over a social media post, a disability advocate in Charleston explains their intention was to highlight the daily challenges faced by disabled individuals. The post, which depicted a personal moment of frustration, aimed to raise awareness about accessibility issues. The advocate clarified that their intent was not to offend but to foster understanding and support for disability rights. They expressed regret over any misunderstanding and emphasized the importance of empathy and inclusivity in discussions about disability.
In her column, a disability advocate reflects on her evolving perspective regarding social media use. She discusses how platforms can amplify disability awareness but also contribute to misconceptions and stress. She highlights the pressure to present a perfect image of disability and the emotional toll of negative comments. The advocate contemplates stepping back from social media to prioritize mental health and authenticity, suggesting a need for balance in using these platforms effectively for disability advocacy.
This column features a journalist from Saskatchewan who advocates for better representation of disability in media. She emphasizes the importance of journalists with disabilities telling their own stories to combat stereotypes and misconceptions. The journalist discusses her experiences as a person with a disability navigating the media industry, noting the lack of diverse perspectives in coverage. She calls for increased visibility and authenticity in media portrayals of disability to promote understanding and inclusivity in society.
Advancing Disability Equality in Media: Seven Key Action Points | UNESCOOpens an external link.
This article outlines seven key action points to advance disability equality in media. It emphasizes the importance of inclusive representation, accurate portrayal and ensuring accessibility across all media platforms. The points include promoting disability-sensitive reporting, training journalists on disability issues and fostering partnerships with disability organizations. It calls for integrating disability perspectives into media policies and practices, encouraging the use of inclusive language and leveraging media's influence to challenge stereotypes and promote social inclusion. The aim is to empower persons with disabilities and promote their rights through improved media representation.
![Dr. Chris Ballmann](/shp/news/images/CEDHARS/ballmann-preview.jpg)
Collaborative environment fosters Dr. Ballmann’s melding of music and exercise
Dr. Chris Ballmann grew up a prolific multi-instrument musician, so it was no surprise he attended Auburn University to pursue a scholarship in music performance and participated in the AU Symphony Orchestra. The surprise, though, came when he decided to pivot after a single semester.
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