Jim Mullen Foundation Recognizes 'Best and the Brightest' Ideas and Devices that Make Life Better for Americans with Disabilities.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2003 Awards Nominations Celebrate 'New Freedoms' Industry To celebrate and support 'new freedoms' for people with disabilities, the Jim Mullen Jim Mullen (born November 26, 1945) is a Glasgow-born jazz guitarist with a distinctive style, like Wes Montgomery before him, picking with the thumb rather than a plectrum. Foundation today officially launched its first annual New Freedom Awards program during the White Sox/Cleveland Indians game at U.S. Cellular Field • • [ . In a ceremony before the game, Jim Mullen, his wife Athena, John Chmela, Executive Director of the Foundation, and Bill Smith, Director of Operations, announced more than 100 New Freedom Award nominees. These included both companies and individuals who have invented or introduced breakthroughs in adaptive technologies Adaptive technology is the name for products which help people who cannot use regular versions of products, primarily people with physical disabilities such as limitations to vision, hearing, and mobility. - whether high tech or simple devices - that offer new freedoms to people with disabilities. Mullen's seven-year-old daughter, Maggie, was selected to throw out the first pitch. Jim Mullen is the former Chicago policeman who has been a quadriplegic quadriplegic /quad·ri·ple·gic/ (-ple´jik) 1. of, pertaining to, or characterized by quadriplegia. 2. an individual with quadriplegia. since being shot in the line of duty In the Line of Duty may refer to:
"More than 50 million Americans live with disabilities," Jim Mullen noted during the ceremony at U.S. Cellular Field. Quoting baseball great, Lou Gehrig, Mullen said, "I consider myself to be the luckiest man in the world." Chmela noted that not long ago, having a disability meant dependence, frustration and isolation. "Today, through the Jim Mullen Foundation," he said, "we are giving Americans with disabilities Americans with disabilities comprise one of the largest minority groups in the United States. According to the Disability Status: 2000 - Census 2000 Brief [1], approximately 20% of Americans have one or more diagnosed psycho-physical disability. hope, dignity and opportunities to live with greater freedom in a society that was once closed to them. These Awards will recognize and pay tribute to what we are calling the 'new freedoms' industry - by honoring companies and individuals who provide the disabled with a chance to have a richer and fuller life by inventing or adapting technologies to meet their special needs." New Freedom Awards winners will be announced at a gala event held in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on July 22, and will honor achievements by individuals and organizations that bring independence and opportunity to people with disabilities by inventing or adapting technology to help people with mobility, visual, hearing or cognitive problems. These inventions or adaptive technologies may range from text telephones for the hearing-impaired, to computer monitors that people who can't see well can use, to infrared pointers A low power laser device operating in the near infrared light spectrum that is visible with light amplifying night vision devices. Also called IR pointer. for people who cannot use their hands. In addition, they may be devices such as wheelchairs that can go up stairs See Upstairs in the Vocabulary. See also: Stair , or artificial limbs artificial limb, mechanical replacement for a missing limb. An artificial limb, called a prosthesis, must be light and flexible to permit easy movement, but must also be sufficiently sturdy to support the weight of the body or to manipulate objects. that are lighter and easier to use. To learn more about or to volunteer with the Jim Mullen Foundation or the New Freedom Awards program, log on to: www.jimmullen.com or www.newfreedomawards.com or call John Chmela or Maribeth Ruehlmann at the Jim Mullen Foundation headquarters at 312-440-4251. |
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