The Voiceless Minority

 Did you know that for the 4th year, law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp announced that entries are being accepted for the Design the Change competition?   It’s true! The firm invites UK students to design a product that helps make the lives of people with spinal cord injuries easier. The winner will receive £5,000, and the runner-up will receive £2,500. Last year’s Design the Change competition winners included Tom Baker, who created a state-of-the-art wheelchair buggy to help parents with spinal cord injuries safely and efficiently transport their children.   I love that this is a competition. I genuinely appreciate the work that Bolt Burdon Kemp is doing to promote innovation and inclusivity. By encouraging young minds to think creatively about solutions for those with spinal cord injuries, they’re making a real difference in people’s lives and showing how important accessibility is in design. This type of initiative raises awareness and inspires a future generation of e...

The National Autistic Society has released a guide to help raise awareness about menopause for people with autism. The guide explains menopause, how it affects people, the latest research, and tips on managing symptoms. One part of menopause is called perimenopause, which happens before menopause begins. During perimenopause, hormone levels change, leading to symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. It’s important to know that both perimenopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause irregular periods, but they are different. Perimenopause is a natural part of aging and comes with symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. PCOS, on the other hand, is a hormonal condition that can cause extra body hair, acne, and problems with weight or fertility, which you don’t usually see with perimenopause. Understanding these differences is important because it affects how each condition is treated. As a woman with autism, I found the guide v...