Ability Forum

[V.SaiPrasad]

Dear friends,

My name is Sai Prasad Vishwanathan. I am a resident of Hyderabad, working for Infosys as a software engineer.

Friends,
I have secured admission into some of the prestigious universities in the United States for pursuing my Master’s degree program in Electrical and computer Engineering. I would be required to leave India in the first week of December. The program starts in early January and is for 2 years.

But now, mobility from place to place in the U.S has become a point of extreme concern. My disability includes a total non-functioning of the lower limbs.

I have been using a scooty with side wheels attached to it since the last 6 years.
But I am not aware if I can do that in the U.S.

So, can anyone kindly throw light on how can I arrange a transport mode for myself which would make me independent ? I have heard of hand adapted cars specially made for the disabled. Have any of our fellow brothers or sisters seen or are using such a car ? Also, how long will it take to get such a car done and also may I know the cost aspects of it if possible ?

Also, are there any other modes of transport that I can consider of a possible use in the U.S ?

A guidance on this issue will be of extreme value to me..
Thanking you for your valuable time..



With affectionate regards,
Sai Prasad Vishwanathan,
Cell no. +91 9963 012 082
sai_be_happy@yahoo.co.in

Dear friends,

My name is Sai Prasad Vishwanathan. I am a resident of Hyderabad, working for Infosys as a software engineer.

Friends,
I have secured admission into some of the prestigious universities in the United States for pursuing my Master’s degree program in Electrical and computer Engineering. I would be required to leave India in the first week of December. The program starts in early January and is for 2 years.

But now, mobility from place to place in the U.S has become a point of extreme concern. My disability includes a total non-functioning of the lower limbs.

I have been using a scooty with side wheels attached to it since the last 6 years.
But I am not aware if I can do that in the U.S.

So, can anyone kindly throw light on how can I arrange a transport mode for myself which would make me independent ? I have heard of hand adapted cars specially made for the disabled. Have any of our fellow brothers or sisters seen or are using such a car ? Also, how long will it take to get such a car done and also may I know the cost aspects of it if possible ?

Also, are there any other modes of transport that I can consider of a possible use in the U.S ?

A guidance on this issue will be of extreme value to me..
Thanking you for your valuable time..



With affectionate regards,
Sai Prasad Vishwanathan,
Cell no. +91 9963 012 082
sai_be_happy@yahoo.co.in

[Adverts]

[Vijayalaxmi]

Dear Sai Prasad,

Please accept my congratulations on your securing admission at US.  And Pl. just dont worry about the mobility aspect.  In Western Countries, they may not be giving any concessions, but the life is much easier and it is on par with the normal people.  The Specially built cars easily available.  You seem to be using a scooty, in that case, I feel that u can drive an automatice transmission.  By the way, I have been using  maruti automatic car (that is auto gears) for the last 20 years.  Recently, I have bought the Easy Drive Zen Maruti.  Only problem is that Maruti, comes out with the scheme very rarely.  1st time it was in 1987-88 and again in 2005-06.  Then after that, they had stopped.  Of course, very sadly, no other car manufacturer is coming out with such schemes.  So, dont worry, about the mobility at US, you would see, how easy  the life is made  over there.  I had been to Canada in the year 1987, to help one organisation by name "Feelings on Wheels".  I had seen my friends with severe mobility problems, managing on their own and staying on 21st or 40th floor etc.  But only thing is you have to be communicative and seek all the information, from here itself, so that it would be easy for you when you go there.  All the very best and take care.  And remember, unless you ask for the help, there you dont get it!

Vijayalaxmi

Dear Sai Prasad,

Please accept my congratulations on your securing admission at US.  And Pl. just dont worry about the mobility aspect.  In Western Countries, they may not be giving any concessions, but the life is much easier and it is on par with the normal people.  The Specially built cars easily available.  You seem to be using a scooty, in that case, I feel that u can drive an automatice transmission.  By the way, I have been using  maruti automatic car (that is auto gears) for the last 20 years.  Recently, I have bought the Easy Drive Zen Maruti.  Only problem is that Maruti, comes out with the scheme very rarely.  1st time it was in 1987-88 and again in 2005-06.  Then after that, they had stopped.  Of course, very sadly, no other car manufacturer is coming out with such schemes.  So, dont worry, about the mobility at US, you would see, how easy  the life is made  over there.  I had been to Canada in the year 1987, to help one organisation by name "Feelings on Wheels".  I had seen my friends with severe mobility problems, managing on their own and staying on 21st or 40th floor etc.  But only thing is you have to be communicative and seek all the information, from here itself, so that it would be easy for you when you go there.  All the very best and take care.  And remember, unless you ask for the help, there you dont get it!

Vijayalaxmi

[Dsamant]

Dear Mr.Vishwanathan,

Congratulations on your admit! I'll try to address some of your transport concerns. As Vijayalaxmi stated, accessible transportation is much easier to find in the US.

Are your concerns primarily about travelling through different parts of the country or travelling within your university or city? Depending on that I can give you more information.

Just to brush over some of the modes of transport you can use:

1. Within your university and areas close to campus you will most likely find both campus and city buses that are fully accessible with lifts so that you don't need to bother with the stairs. This will help you with transportation around the city as well.

2. Almost all universities in the US need to have a dedicated center to assist their students with disabilities and it is highly likely that your university will provide special transportation services to take you around campus. I would strongly advise that you contact someone within the disability services unit and they should have good information for their students.

3. For inter city travel, you have the option of using trains or air transport.

I have some friends/colleagues who use adapted vehicles and I'll be glad to ask them for details on cost and time needed to get one.

If you don't mind me asking, which university will you be going to? I have lived on 3 different campuses here, have a MS in ECE, and might be able to answer any other questions (not just transportation) you have as well.

I would also advise that you wait a little before buying an adapted vehicle. Once you get here you will be able to judge better what available transport works for you and if you really need to invest in a vehicle right away. People around campus may also have suggestions on local dealers etc.

Regards
Deepti

Dear Mr.Vishwanathan,

Congratulations on your admit! I'll try to address some of your transport concerns. As Vijayalaxmi stated, accessible transportation is much easier to find in the US.

Are your concerns primarily about travelling through different parts of the country or travelling within your university or city? Depending on that I can give you more information.

Just to brush over some of the modes of transport you can use:

1. Within your university and areas close to campus you will most likely find both campus and city buses that are fully accessible with lifts so that you don't need to bother with the stairs. This will help you with transportation around the city as well.

2. Almost all universities in the US need to have a dedicated center to assist their students with disabilities and it is highly likely that your university will provide special transportation services to take you around campus. I would strongly advise that you contact someone within the disability services unit and they should have good information for their students.

3. For inter city travel, you have the option of using trains or air transport.

I have some friends/colleagues who use adapted vehicles and I'll be glad to ask them for details on cost and time needed to get one.

If you don't mind me asking, which university will you be going to? I have lived on 3 different campuses here, have a MS in ECE, and might be able to answer any other questions (not just transportation) you have as well.

I would also advise that you wait a little before buying an adapted vehicle. Once you get here you will be able to judge better what available transport works for you and if you really need to invest in a vehicle right away. People around campus may also have suggestions on local dealers etc.

Regards
Deepti

[V.SaiPrasad]

I cannot express in words my happiness and gratitude for the invaluable piece of information and kind support you all have provided me
It is people like you all who keep the faith and hope in me to pull of my dream of doing well there going . Am really really thankful to you all.


Coming to more of the information required of me..

1) I am a 2006 passout from the college of C.B.I.T. (Osmania University) with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

2) Have been working in Infosys since the past 14 months. Have resigned last Friday and will be out officially this month end.

3) I have made it into the following colleges for my M.S program..
Name of the college - Specialization
a)     Texas A and M University, college station – Solid State Electronics
b)     University of Southern California – V.L.S.I Design
c)     University of Missouri, Rolla – Electrical Engineering
d)     University of Tennessee, Knoxville – Computer Science
e)     Kansas State University – Computer Science

Most importantly I am awaiting three more critical decisions from the following three universities. The status of my application in those universities is pending.

1)     University of Wisconsin, Madison – V.L.S.I Design
2)     Michigan State University – Computer Science
3)     Iowa State University – Computer Science

Hopefully those decisions should be out by the end of this month and I should be able to make it to them too before making my final decision to join one of them.



Coming to the mobility aspects of it..

To be absolutely honest with you all, as of now i have absolutely no plan of how am I going to solve that problem.

1)     The main problem arises from the fact that I haven’t been exposed to a situation where mobility was a problem. Throughout my life, its been either my parents or my scooty that took care of my needs to travel. As mentioned earlier, I have using the four wheeler scooty for 6 years now and make a journey of 80-90 kms on it daily to Infosys which is 40 kms away from home.

             2)  I use crutches to walk. But then I walk very rarely. Adding to this an  
                  incurable injury to my foot has restricted my mobility even more
                  since the past few years.

So, the combined aspects of having no exposure, ability to move very little has compounded to form a nice little challenge



And finally the need to travel..

Honestly, I don’t think I would be traveling across cities.. My focus mainly would be to do well in the university there..

As far as my calculations go, the need to travel would be following reasons..
a)     To move from university to local stores to buy stuffs
b)     Incase, I don’t get an accommodation oncampus, the need to travel would be from university to my apartment
c)     Traveling to wash clothes..
d)     And also travel to hospitals incase of an emergency…

And since I plan to stay alone, I feel I would limit my movements across towns to as less as possible..



I guess its been a pretty long post already and I am eating out a lot of your time… Sincerely apologize if that is the case..

Anyways, to be short.. with the above needs and difficulties, opportunities in solving those needs I am presently looking for any sort of vehicle to solve my problems and make me independent and confident.

My college will start on January 9th at the earliest and I am looking forward to be there as early as the second week of December.

Hope I have answered all your queries..
I am also available at sai_be_happy@yahoo.co.in or happy.blissfull@gmail.com
My orkut account is http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=11905028865152046240

Thanking you for your valuable time and patience in helping me out..
Will always remain indebted to you.

With affectionate regards,
Sai Prasad Vishwanathan,
Cell No. +91 9963 012 082

I cannot express in words my happiness and gratitude for the invaluable piece of information and kind support you all have provided me
It is people like you all who keep the faith and hope in me to pull of my dream of doing well there going . Am really really thankful to you all.


Coming to more of the information required of me..

1) I am a 2006 passout from the college of C.B.I.T. (Osmania University) with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

2) Have been working in Infosys since the past 14 months. Have resigned last Friday and will be out officially this month end.

3) I have made it into the following colleges for my M.S program..
Name of the college - Specialization
a)     Texas A and M University, college station – Solid State Electronics
b)     University of Southern California – V.L.S.I Design
c)     University of Missouri, Rolla – Electrical Engineering
d)     University of Tennessee, Knoxville – Computer Science
e)     Kansas State University – Computer Science

Most importantly I am awaiting three more critical decisions from the following three universities. The status of my application in those universities is pending.

1)     University of Wisconsin, Madison – V.L.S.I Design
2)     Michigan State University – Computer Science
3)     Iowa State University – Computer Science

Hopefully those decisions should be out by the end of this month and I should be able to make it to them too before making my final decision to join one of them.



Coming to the mobility aspects of it..

To be absolutely honest with you all, as of now i have absolutely no plan of how am I going to solve that problem.

1)     The main problem arises from the fact that I haven’t been exposed to a situation where mobility was a problem. Throughout my life, its been either my parents or my scooty that took care of my needs to travel. As mentioned earlier, I have using the four wheeler scooty for 6 years now and make a journey of 80-90 kms on it daily to Infosys which is 40 kms away from home.

             2)  I use crutches to walk. But then I walk very rarely. Adding to this an  
                  incurable injury to my foot has restricted my mobility even more
                  since the past few years.

So, the combined aspects of having no exposure, ability to move very little has compounded to form a nice little challenge



And finally the need to travel..

Honestly, I don’t think I would be traveling across cities.. My focus mainly would be to do well in the university there..

As far as my calculations go, the need to travel would be following reasons..
a)     To move from university to local stores to buy stuffs
b)     Incase, I don’t get an accommodation oncampus, the need to travel would be from university to my apartment
c)     Traveling to wash clothes..
d)     And also travel to hospitals incase of an emergency…

And since I plan to stay alone, I feel I would limit my movements across towns to as less as possible..



I guess its been a pretty long post already and I am eating out a lot of your time… Sincerely apologize if that is the case..

Anyways, to be short.. with the above needs and difficulties, opportunities in solving those needs I am presently looking for any sort of vehicle to solve my problems and make me independent and confident.

My college will start on January 9th at the earliest and I am looking forward to be there as early as the second week of December.

Hope I have answered all your queries..
I am also available at sai_be_happy@yahoo.co.in or happy.blissfull@gmail.com
My orkut account is http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=11905028865152046240

Thanking you for your valuable time and patience in helping me out..
Will always remain indebted to you.

With affectionate regards,
Sai Prasad Vishwanathan,
Cell No. +91 9963 012 082

[Dsamant]

Hi!

Congratulations on receiving these admits and good luck for the other two

Like I mentioned before, once you zero in on one university it would be best to write to the Disability Service Center because they will definitely have at least basic information on satisfying your mobility needs across campus. Actually, it might even be helpful to start that process now so you can also factor that into choosing a particular university over the others.

In addition, ask them to give you the name of the nearest Independent Living Center (ILC) in the area. These are usually non-profit organizations that help people to find accessible housing, transportation, assistive devices etc. If the university gives you limited information, you should definitely approach the ILC for the same. They would also be able to assist you in finding out about mobility aids.

Most apartment complexes/dorms house a common laundry facility for the residents within the building itself. So you will not need to travel as such for laundry requirements.

The other thing to consider will be the housing you choose. Find out if it lies on a bus line, how close it is to grocery stores etc. Also, in most universities Indian students organizations become a good source of information for these things. You will also be able to find someone willing to give you a ride if you ever need to get to stores etc. which are not within easy distance for you.

I'll keep writing as I think of more...

Regards
Deepti

Hi!

Congratulations on receiving these admits and good luck for the other two

Like I mentioned before, once you zero in on one university it would be best to write to the Disability Service Center because they will definitely have at least basic information on satisfying your mobility needs across campus. Actually, it might even be helpful to start that process now so you can also factor that into choosing a particular university over the others.

In addition, ask them to give you the name of the nearest Independent Living Center (ILC) in the area. These are usually non-profit organizations that help people to find accessible housing, transportation, assistive devices etc. If the university gives you limited information, you should definitely approach the ILC for the same. They would also be able to assist you in finding out about mobility aids.

Most apartment complexes/dorms house a common laundry facility for the residents within the building itself. So you will not need to travel as such for laundry requirements.

The other thing to consider will be the housing you choose. Find out if it lies on a bus line, how close it is to grocery stores etc. Also, in most universities Indian students organizations become a good source of information for these things. You will also be able to find someone willing to give you a ride if you ever need to get to stores etc. which are not within easy distance for you.

I'll keep writing as I think of more...

Regards
Deepti

[Unnimaxx]

Hope Sai has got much info, and refferences, glad to read comments, Independent Living Center! wow., that must be the first thing you'd be looking for I guess, so have a great time, all the best friom all, keep posted even if you get busy there....
good luck again
cheers
-unni

Hope Sai has got much info, and refferences, glad to read comments, Independent Living Center! wow., that must be the first thing you'd be looking for I guess, so have a great time, all the best friom all, keep posted even if you get busy there....
good luck again
cheers
-unni

[V.SaiPrasad]

Hi Friends,

Thank you so very much for that invaluable piece of Information you all are equipping me with
I will definitely get in touch with them this Monday..

With affectionate regards,
Sai Prasad Vishwanthan,
Cell no. +91 9963 012 082
sai_be_happy@yahoo.co.in

Hi Friends,

Thank you so very much for that invaluable piece of Information you all are equipping me with
I will definitely get in touch with them this Monday..

With affectionate regards,
Sai Prasad Vishwanthan,
Cell no. +91 9963 012 082
sai_be_happy@yahoo.co.in