19 replies to this topic

[asaint]

Astronomy for the Disabled

[csa/montana]

This is an article long needed in our Astro community. You have given such an excellent insite as to how you enjoy Astronomy, thank you!

Here is an older thread that might be of interest also:

Telescope for the Disabled

[desertstars]

An all too often overlooked topic. Very glad to see this!

[Glassthrower]

Very nice job Ian.

This is a well-written account of overcoming imposed limitations for observing. As someone who is not disabled, I found this article to be an eye-opener. I now have a better understanding of what observational astronomy is like for those with physical disabilities. And I got some good ideas that I can use - such as viewing out of a window.

Thanks for sharing your insights Ian.

Regards and clear skies,

MikeG

[dtsmith]

Far too often, those of us who are able bodied reduce paralysis disabilities down to the loss of the ability to walk when, in reality, that is only one small aspect of the overall condition. Your article does an excellent job of practically describing some of the easily overlooked limitations and challenges (i.e. access and safety) those with disabilities face daily and how, with a little forethought and effort, they can be overcome. Great read.

[Mak2007]

Congratulations! This is an awesome job that will help and motivate a lot of people with and without disabilities.
Thank you, Ian.

[Patricko]

Awesome article! I really enjoyed reading it, as it encourages people to start/continue the hobby. A much needed article on this site IMHO. Good job:)

[Luke S]

Another possible resource is remote observing through one of many places I've seen advertised. Basically they host the equipment taking care of any maintenance and usually have really nice gear. Then you pay an hourly fee and connect to a control panel via the internet. The other nice thing about this is some are located on the other side of the world so you can be imaging on a Saturday afternoon.

[iancandler]

Thanks everyone, I noticed there wasnt much on disabled astronomy and thought my experiences might be able to help others avoid the pitfalls I fell into.

[Cyborg]

Very nice picture of the Moon... it's hard to believe you shot it from inside your house!

Greetings from Chile

[Scott Beith]

Brilliant article!

Thank you so much for writing and posting that.

[iancandler]

Very nice picture of the Moon... it's hard to believe you shot it from inside your house!

Greetings from Chile

Here's a pic of my equipment, where it stays and where I do my astronomy from these days.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[bluedandelion]

Well written Ian.

Disability can sometimes be of a temporary nature such as from a work or play related injury and this is good advice for those on the disabled list.

One can do wonders with even a small refractor if photographic means are employed though I can see how that might be a problem if one has to track for an extended period of time through a window.

Nice picture of the moon.

- Ajay

[star drop]

Wonderful article, Ian!

[leo9]

Great article, well worth making that a "sticky" somewhere.
Here is another link on mounts

[Reverie]

Valuable resource!

There is no resource about astronomy for the disabled in my region, writing in my mother tongue, and stargazers here never talk about that. Though there were events for those people, major societies are not that willing to do such charities.

I found only some Japanese websites in which talking about telescope for the disable. Here is one of them. The web owner is a young student and he tried to express his difficulties and solutions with both language and pictures. He also thought of other telescope design.

As discrimination (races, poor, disabled, illness) is a taboo in my city, little can be done to the situation.

[TH1]

It's funny in my two years looking up that I never considered astronomy the challenge that it is - for all of us. Wimps need not apply. Keep on rockin'

[MADRID SKY]

It is comforting to see disabled people looking at heavens. I do not feel alone anymore!



Congrats for the article.

[gustymars]

My neighbor and my scope for him.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[MADRID SKY]

Understand me: I am not "physically disabled".

But I do think all humanity is born with a burnt fuse somewhere in its heart and/or brain. In that sense we are all "disabled", we all know what it feels to be "disabled". With people "physically disabled", of course it is much more "apparent", it is a more *external approach* to that "disability" I am talking about, albeit a much more difficult life. It is a more crude reality of what we all carry along, so to speak.

So, when I know of people physically disabled that looks at heavens, I do not feel alone at all. If you can do it, "anyone" can do it.

NO "excuses".

I love these people. Period. One of the most amazing examples of this is this man without legs and arms that talks about Love everywhere he is allowed. I don't recall his name now.

Anyway, Love to them from me too
Sam