Monday, June 22, 2009

iPhones for People with ALS


As you know "iPhone mania" has swept the planet. What you may not know is how this device has spawned a number of assistive technology applications that help in the everyday lives of people with disabilities. Apple, the maker of the iPhone has a section on its website devoted to touting its accessibility solutions. IPhone applications or "apps" help a wide range disabilities from assisting visually and hearing impaired users to those who have lost their ability to speak.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, also known as "Lou Gehrig's disease" is a progressive, fatal disease that attacks the nerve cells in the body that control voluntary movement known as motor neurons. One of the first symptoms of the disease, people typically experience, is muscle weakness. ALS affects every muscles in the body from those that control walking and reaching to swallowing and speech.

Currently there is no known cause or cure for ALS. Patients with the disease are usually given a prognosis that includes 3 to 5 years to live.

"iPhones for people with ALS" is a non-profit group that seeks to assist ALS patients by providing them with new and used donated iPhones. The group also helps train patients how to use the technology and adapts or customizes each device to meet the individual patient's specific needs.

Please make a difference in the life of someone suffering with ALS and donate a new or used iPhone today. We also accept non-tax deductible cash donations by clicking on the donate button on this site. An iPhone probably wont make you "genetically superior" but they will improve the lives of people with this terrible disease.

"IPhones for People with ALS" is not affiliated with Apple or the ALS Association but you can learn more about ALS and find other ways to help by visiting the ALS Assosciations website.