Deaf students at Arizona school will learn virtually, but not without obstacles
Sequoia Deaf School, part of the Edkey Inc. charter school group in Mesa, has 52 students in grades K through 12 enrolled for the 2020-21 year. The experience navigating the pandemic illustrates some of the challenges deaf students face in returning to the classroom.
‘They’re scared’: A look inside the COVID-19 crisis in Arizona prisons
Complaints of insufficient safety measures and subpar medical care continue to plague Arizona prisons.
After days of rage, Arizonans speak of their frustrations, fears and hope
Cronkite News spoke with several Arizonans protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of police, including a college activist who encourages credible activism, an interior designer who wants others to realize what African Americans need, and a business owner worried about looting but hopes the protests will bring real change.
Ducey on Fair Pay to Play: ‘I don’t want to see a state, especially California, have a competitive advantage’
PHOENIX – Arizona sports figures divided over California law that will allow college athletes to sign endorsement deals and hire agents.
These state employees can bring their babies to work
PHOENIX – Babies cooing in strollers and on brightly colored play mats in their parents’ cubicles are commonplace at the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Arizona Center to get $25 million refresh to attract downtown shoppers
PHOENIX - Arizona Center is planning a $25 million refresh to appeal to shoppers, adding more lighting, valet parking, courtyard seating and other design elements to modernize the 26-year-old center in downtown Phoenix.
South Mountain Park gets $23 million makeover
PHOENIX – South Mountain Park, one of the nation's largest city parks, has been showing the wear of hikers and picnickers over the years. Now it's getting a $23 million makeover.
Arizona’s Election Day a mix of high turnout, enthusiasm and frustrating problems
Arizona's Election Day was a mix of computer problems, long lines, frustration and enthusiasm as state races and a divisive presidential campaign drew high numbers of voters to the polls.
Five ways to repurpose your pumpkins and save the environment
PHOENIX – The pumpkins are among us, waiting to be carved, baked and displayed around the Valley. But once the glow of jack-o'-lantern hearts fade to black, they usually are tossed out with the garbage.
Glendale move for backyard chickens is no joke
GLENDALE - Chickens scratching, clucking and laying eggs in neighbors' backyards could become more frequent under a proposed change to a Glendale ordinance, setting the groundwork for an anti-chicken and pro-chicken battle over lifestyle, property rights and the environment.
Fun, freedom at Bartlett Lake for people with disabilities
RIO VERDE - For one day, 12-year-old Aidan Ringo forgot the endless days of doctor visits.
He got on a wake board and sped across Bartlett Lake with his friends and family by his side, and got the chance to experience other water adventures like kayaking, tubing, and jet skiing.
Tessa Ringo, Aidan's mother, describes the opportunities for her child, born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, as magical.
"As soon as he gets on that wake board, I kind of always wipe a tear away," Tessa Ringo said. "Just being so proud of him and being able to sit back and observe him gaining confidence, being independent, and having an experience that every 12-year-old can do."
"It is amazing what they can do for kids that can't go out on the lake that much," said Aidan, his hair still damp from wake boarding. He said the Day at the Lake, as it's called, let's people focus on fun, not their disabilities, doctors' visits "or whatever crazy stuff that's been happening."
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Aidan Ringo and sister Ella share a touching moment at "Day on the Lake." (Photo by Allyson Hoskins/Cronkite News)[/caption]
Aidan's sister Ella is proud of her big brother.
"It is really exciting because I get to see my brother do stuff that he can't really do," Ella said. I'm glad he can do it."
Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix hosts the weekend water activities for families that have children with disabilities and veterans. Last weekend was its 20th anniversary.
Children and adults can water or jet ski, go on a kayak or go tubing.
Brenna Bean, a recreation therapist and a volunteer for the lake event, has used a wheelchair since her spinal cord was injured when she was in a car accident when she was 18 years old.
"I love the adaptive activities they do here, so it really gives people with disabilities the chance to get out and try things that they never thought they would be able to do," Bean said.
Jo Crawford, the program coordinator at Barrow Neurological Institute, based at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, said the event – the next one will not be until 2017 – offers one more way to enjoy life.
"Come out and live your life, you've been through so much," Crawford said. "Come here and live it cause that's what you're here to do. That's what we are going to help you do."
Chinese Senior Center connects people to home
PHOENIX - Nancy Peng finds joy at the Chinese Senior Center.
