PRODUCTS

Six Stylish Adaptive Footwear Options

Gone are the days of contorting our feet to fit into the hottest new shoe or settling for our grandparents’ clunky orthopedic footwear — mainstream manufacturers have finally started making stylish shoes that are functional for people with a wide range of disabilities. Check out our favorite adaptive shoes, from Ugg’s sheepskin-lined, side-zipper boots to Nike’s new clamshell kicks that even the snobbiest sneakerhead will covet.

MEDIA

NBC Casts Wheelchair User Alan Toy to Play FDR in Annie Live!

Longtime New Mobility contributor Alan Toy will play President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in NBC’s upcoming Annie Live! holiday special. Like the president, Toy contracted polio that resulted in paralysis. He will be the first polio survivor to portray FDR in a major production. “FDR has always been a role model of accomplishment for me, and I’m thrilled to be able to play him. I tip my hat to NBC and the producers of Annie Live! for authentically casting a person with a disability for this role,” says Toy.

Inside the Programs Nurturing the Next Disabled Acting Stars

Ali Stroker’s 2019 Tony Award represented a huge roll forward for disabled actors. Greg Moomjy reports on the inclusive theater organizations finding and nurturing actors with disabilities, giving them a chance to hone their craft in an accessible environment, allowing them to express their creativity and find their voices. If they have their way, Stroker’s win won’t be the last.

NM LIVE

Meet Dani Izzie, Creator of the Documentary Dani’s Twins

This month, NM LIVE is going live for real. Join Teal Sherer on our Instagram feed as she talks with Danielle Izzie, one of the few quadriplegics to give birth to twins. They’ll discuss mom life when you use a wheelchair and Dani’s Twin’s, the upcoming documentary that chronicles Izzie’s pregnancy and early parenting journey. Join their conversation live tomorrow, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET on Instagram Live @Newmobilitymag.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY

Eric Howk is Rocking the System for Accessible Substance Abuse Recovery

Eric Howk, the guitarist for Portugal. The Man, was used to traveling the world, playing raucous shows in front of thousands of screaming fans. But that all ground to a halt when the pandemic hit. The forced downtime led him to confront his growing substance abuse problem and seek treatment. There was one major problem: When he tried to find an accessible rehab center, he struck out. Read more about Howk’s journey to sobriety here.

DAILY DILEMMAS

Snorkeling Tour Refused to Include Me Without Advance Notice. Is that Discrimination?

When a low-level quad booked a snorkeling tour, he and his family were confident they could manage any disability-related issues that came up. But when he showed up at the boat, the tour operator turned him away, insisting he needed to give advance notice of his disability. Sheri Denkensohn-Trott outlines options for rectifying this kind of casual discrimination and ensuring it doesn’t happen to you.