Dreamscape Foundation Logo
  • Sign In
  • Contact
  • 0 items - $0.00

    No products in the cart.

  • Dreamscape Foundation Logo
    • Home
    • Why Accessibility?
    • About Us
    • Our Work
    • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Campaigns
      • Campaigns
      • Raffles
      • Start a Fundraiser

    Serreph is Dreamscape’s Own Guardian Angel for Charity Stream

    Dreamscape's Next Charity Stream - Jan 21: twitch.tv/Serreph2 - Help us raise money for our disabled community!
    Date Posted: January 20, 2021
    0 Comments

    Serreph is Dreamscape’s Own Guardian Angel for Charity Stream

    Dreamscape's Next Charity Stream - Jan 21: twitch.tv/Serreph2 - Help us raise money for our disabled community! To quote the great Dr. Seuss, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” For Brian Martin standing out was not always that simple.  “I have the most common legal name in the world, so much so that there are twenty-six people with my first and last name in my city,” Brian Martin explained. Martin may not stand out in his Missouri town, but in the world of streaming he is one of a kind.

    Guardian Angel

    Martin, better known by his call name Serreph, is not your typical gamer. To truly understand Brian Martin, you need to understand the story behind the name Serreph. “Whenever I got into executive protection there were a couple instances that happened where I put myself in between the person that we were protecting and the gunfire,” he recalled. “They were like, ‘dude you are like a guardian angel, just like a Seraphim.’” The original nickname was shortened and has stuck with Martin throughout the years.

    Taking One for the Team

    Living up to his name, Serreph has no problem taking a bullet for the good of the group. “Whenever I play first-person shooters, I am so bad that I am usually the bait for everyone else. I run out there and put myself out there to get shot while everyone else cleans up the mess behind,” he laughed. For Martin, the whole reason behind gaming is to relax and enjoy yourself. “That is the number one key. It is a game, you are supposed to be having fun,” he explained. “I do rage a lot, but most of the time the rage is for an act. I can’t really let something like that get under my skin. If it truly got under my skin, I would cut it out. Anything that bothers me that bad has got to go.”

    Multiple Interests

    Serreph’s love of video games is just one of his many interests. “I have always been into a variety of things. I would like to start doing some cooking streams. I would also like to do video editing streams, where I teach people how to video edit,” Martin shared. At 46 years old, Serreph wants to share his experiences and knowledge with others. “That is one thing that I always take away from everything. Every day is a learning situation. Everything is a swap,” he stated.

    Dreamscape’s Mission Hits Home

    It comes as no surprise that this jack of all trades has a passion for charities. For Serreph, Dreamscape’s Mission really struck a chord. “I know people that are quadriplegic and paraplegic. I work with people that are partially blind. One of my best friends is an international DJ and he has what is known as Retinitis Pigmentosa, so he is legally blind,” he said.  “He can only see shadows in bright light. This man was an inspiration to me for many, many years because he goes out there and DJs by feel,” Martin described.

    First Time Charity Streamer

    Dreamscape is ecstatic to announce that we are partnering with Serreph for his first ever Charity Stream this Thursday, January 21 starting at 1pm EST – and ending around 1am EST! Prepare yourself for some lively first-person shooting games, strategic puzzles and a lot of laughs during this 12-hour event. Join Dreamscape and Serreph in raising money to help those struggling with physical disabilities.
    « PreviousNext »

    bud_dreams to Host Dreamscape’s 2nd Holiday Charity Stream

    Date Posted: December 18, 2020
    0 Comments

    bud_dreams to Host Dreamscape’s 2nd Holiday Charity Stream

    bud_dreams: Charity Stream with Dreamscape Foundation, 12/20/20 1pm EST For many families, coming together means eliminating video games and electronics. For streamer Larry Green, video games have always been a huge part of bringing his family together. Green has been playing video games his whole life. He shared, “I grew up with my dad having a SEGA, and I talked him into buying an NES.” The two of them enjoyed playing together so much, that Green recalls his dad buying every single Madden game available.

    Genetic Gaming Genes

    The power and love of video games has continued with Green’s three children. “I can actually play [Fortnite] with my dad, my son, and my brother all at the same time,” he explained. His only daughter has even introduced him to games he wasn’t familiar with. Green said, “My daughter is into mobile games, especially Roblox. She has enlightened me.”

    Green Keeps it Fresh

    Green’s subscribers know that he likes to jump around to different games during his live streams. He explained, “I bebop around. I like variety. You have to have enjoyment out of it. If you are not engaged, your audience knows.” Green’s range is just one of the many reasons Dreamscape Foundation is ecstatic to partner with him for our upcoming charity stream.

    First Charity Stream

    Dreamscape Foundation is raising money for people with disabilities, and for Green this cause really hits home. He has chosen to do his first ever charity stream in honor of his own family members with disabilities.  Green shared, “My sister Kimberly, actually throughout her whole high school career until 3 years ago, did the Special Olympics. She has developmental delays.”  He explained that she was born premature with a heart that wasn’t fully developed.  His first cousin is also disabled due to brain damage from birth. Join the Dreamscape Foundation and twitch steamer Green this Sunday, December 20th, at 1pm EST for our live charity stream! We will be raising money to help better the lives of people struggling with physical disabilities. This holiday season, join us in making the world more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Prize Chart Green Plays Games
    • Tier 1 – $5:
      • 1 Random Steam Key
      • 1 Raffle entry to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 2 – $10:
      • 1 Random Steam Key
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 3 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 3 – $20:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 4 – $50:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 $10 Playstation Store Gift Card
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 2 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 5 – $100:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 $10 Playstation Store Gift Card
      • 1 Mystery FunkoPOP!
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 6 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 6 – $250:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 $10 Playstation Store Gift Card
      • 1 Mystery FunkoPOP!
      • 1 Digital Copy of Call of Duty Cold War (Any Console)
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 10 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
      • A featured article on our Blog Page
    « PreviousNext »

    Daltos To Host Dreamscape’s First Charity Stream of The Giving Season

    Charity Stream with Dreamscape Foundation, 12/19/20 3PM EST at twitch.tv/daltos
    Date Posted: December 18, 2020
    0 Comments

    Daltos To Host Dreamscape’s First Charity Stream of The Giving Season

    Charity Stream with Dreamscape Foundation, 12/19/20 3PM EST at twitch.tv/daltos

    Streamers are constantly obsessing over their numbers. To be dubbed a “successful streamer,” you need to acquire and keep a large number of viewers and subscribers, but for Nicholas Buccino there is one situation where the numbers become meaningless.

    According to Buccino, better known as Daltos, the most important part of a charity stream is just the simple act of being able to help others. As an official member of the Yogscast for the past 3.5 years, Daltos said, “I am always participating. I love it. It’s the most proud thing I am about the Yogscast.”

    Truly Altruistic

    Daltos has always had the desire to help others since he was a young child. While on the bus ride home after school, Daltos noticed two kids playing a game. Daltos recalls, “one of them had early onset Parkinson’s and his hands shook uncontrollably. The other kid helped him play, and I thought that was really cool. I was like, ‘can I play with you guys? I want to help out, too.’”

    In fact, Daltos credits these same two kids for getting him into video games. I believe I speak for many of us when I say we are happy for their friendship. Daltos not only streams himself playing his favorite strategy games, but he also streams using his natural gift to entertain by keeping his viewers engaged, laughing and smiling.

    Away From Keyboard

    When Daltos isn’t playing games, entertaining viewers on Just Chatting, or raising money for charities, his fans know he enjoys listening to music and eating good food. His subscribers might just catch him listening to Flogging Molly or find him enjoying his favorite afghan food at Kabab Paradise in New Jersey. Daltos explained, “I made friends with a guy whose uncle owned one of the best Afghani restaurants in New Jersey. Love it. Shout out, Ali!

    As a former teacher with his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science, Daltos has a lot to offer and Dreamscape is beyond thrilled to partner with him to host a charity stream to help raise money for people with impairment disabilities. Join us this Saturday, December 19th, at 3 pm EST with the one, the only, Daltos!

    Check out these prizes you can win, just by donating using our Tiltify link here!

       
    • Tier 1 – $5:
      • 1 Random Steam Key
      • 1 Raffle entry to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 2 – $10:
      • 1 Random Steam Key
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 3 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 3 – $20:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 4 – $50:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 Triforce BODEGA Badge
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 2 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 5 – $100:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 Triforce BODEGA Badge
      • 1 Mystery FunkoPOP!
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 6 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 6 – $250:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 Triforce BODEGA Badge
      • 1 Mystery FunkoPOP!
      • 1 Yogscast Doodle Break XL Mug
      • 1 Yogscast Dad Hat
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 10 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
      • A featured article on our Blog Page
    « PreviousNext »

    BillTheConquerer Takes Over Dreamscape’s Next Charity Stream

    Date Posted: March 6, 2020
    0 Comments

    BillTheConquerer Takes Over Dreamscape’s Next Charity Stream

    While Bill (AKA BillTheConquerer) is not new to the gaming world, he is however new to the world of Twitch. Bill has been streaming on Twitch for about 2 months now, and after only 4 days of streaming he was able to hit affiliate status. Which for those of you who are not as familiar with streaming, affiliate is a program within Twitch that helps streamers to get paid for their work. Bill has worked on 4 different startups in the gaming industry helping people make a career out of doing what they love. Using the skills he learned, he is able to help people better market their streams and turn it into a business that can actually turn them a profit they can support themselves off of.

    A Long Time Gamer

    Bill has been playing video games for years, but he does not consider himself a competitive gamer. He plays mostly for the joy of gaming. Bill says, people do not come to his stream to watch his skills, while he is a good gamer folks often come to socialize with him and ask him various questions about his stream or how to better their own stream. When asked what he enjoys most about streaming Bill says, he really enjoys the social aspect of streaming, and he appreciates the raw honesty of it all. The internet is a place where almost everything is either censored or filtered. It is nice to have a space where people can express emotion and interact with people in real time in a way that is unfiltered and unscripted. This kind of environment really allows you to see who people really are and how they react to situations that may arise.

    An Effort to Support Dreamscape

    This Saturday Bill has graciously offered to partner with us for another charity stream! Bill is looking forward to the charity stream partnership with Dreamscape as it’s a chance to give back to the community that has given him so much. He feels he has been very blessed in his life, and streaming has been such a great opportunity for him, so why not use it to give back! What better way to do so than to raise funds to give a disabled man the tools he needs to regain his independence and freedom. But Bill and the Dreamscape Foundation put their heads together to come up with a way to give back to Bill’s community! All donors will receive a number of thank you prizes and be entered into our raffle drawing for Amazon Gift Cards! Based on a donation tier, the prizes are as follows: (please note all prizes ship US only)
    • Tier 1 – $5:
      • 1 Random Steam Key
      • 1 Raffle entry to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 2 – $10:
      • 1 Random Steam Key
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 3 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 3 – $20:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 4 – $50:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 Aurora World Cat Plush Figures
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 2 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 5 – $100:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 Aurora World Cat Plush Figures
      • 1 Mystery FunkoPOP!
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 6 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
    • Tier 6 – $250:
      • 4 Random Steam Keys
      • 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
      • 1 Aurora World Cat Plush Figures
      • 1 Mystery FunkoPOP!
      • 1 Faux Fur Weighted Blanket
      • 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
      • 10 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
      • A featured article on our Blog Page
      This is a man who truly cares for people. He goes above and beyond to give back and brighten the day of anyone he can! So much so, that prior to this stream, Bill partnered with another streamer named Byro who was working with a company call gamers outreach. Bryo had reached out to the gaming community looking for people to partner with her in her next charity stream event, and when Bill saw this he thought it would be a great opportunity to get his feet wet! Having one charity stream under his belt, Bill is excited to see how much the community can come together and help build one another up and support each other as a united front. Our event will take place Saturday March 7th from 9am PST and last about 8 hours. We look forward to seeing you there! To keep up with Bill and what’s next on his agenda, please give him a follow on Twitch, Twitter, and Youtube.
    « PreviousNext »

    CamWeppTV’s Charity Stream Gives Thanks by Giving Back

    Date Posted: November 21, 2019
    0 Comments

    CamWeppTV’s Charity Stream Gives Thanks by Giving Back

    CamWeppTV, aka Cameron, first began her twitch journey on a channel called “2girls1twitch” with her friend. After getting to see more of what the twitch community is about, she decided to branch off into her own personal channel now known as CamWeppTV. This new channel was a great outlet for her to express her creativity in a safe and welcoming environment. Through her channel, she has created lifelong friendships within the twitch community that are always there to support her when she needs them.

    A judgment free zone!

    For Cameron twitch is not just a form of entertainment or a hobby to pass the time, it is a lifeline for her. Her channel has been a platform where she is free to be her authentic self, free of judgment. While many streamers showcase their gaming skills, Cameron uses her channel to feature her many talents, from art, singing/raping, comedy, to simply interacting with folks around her. When tuning into her channel, you might see her live streaming a public performance from places like the train station, or possibly witness her creating a canvas masterpiece.

    Twitch- A platform for giving back

    One of the many reason Cameron loves streaming, is the opportunity it provides her to give back to the community. Twitch has been such a big influence in helping her overcome the obstacles in her life, that she feels very fortunate to be able to use her channel to help others in the same way. Using twitch, she has done multiple charity streams to raise money for various causes. One stream she has done that is particularly near and dear to her heart, was for her friend that was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Using her channel, she was able to raise money that went to help paying for her medical bills. If there is one thing Cameron could pass along to other streamers like herself it is that even if you aren’t asked to do a charity stream, if you have the opportunity to do so, reach out and find ways to use your channel for good. There is no better feeling in the world than helping someone in need!

    Charity Stream Details

    Cameron’s charity stream will be on November 24th beginning at 2pm EST in support of aiding Penny Jackson in raising funds to purchase e-sight eyewear technology. Penny had suffered two strokes affecting the optic nerves in each of her eyes. This left her with only peripheral vision in her left eye, weakened vision in the right and high light sensitivity in both. With the help of this corrective e-sight eyewear, Penny will be able to regain not only her vision, but her independence as well. Cameron will be combining this fundraiser with her annual Thanksgiving stream. Some content you can look forward to seeing is cooking, comedy, singing, dancing, live art demos, and more! Like many other charity events we will be giving thank you gifts based on your donation tier, in addition to raffling off a few grand prizes. Prizes will consist of things like amazon gift cards, tee-shirts, headphones, art/creative writing supplies, Tiny Hands, and more! Prizes will vary based on the tier level of donations to the cause. Our goal for this event is to raise $1,000+ for Penny’s new glasses. Any amount you feel comfortable donating is greatly appreciated! Regardless of your ability to donate, we encourage and hope you tune in and enjoy the fun with the rest of this amazing online community on Sunday November 24th at 2PM EST! To learn more about or stay up to date with Cameron and her Twitch Community, please check out her Twitch Channel, Twitter, or Instagram!  
    « PreviousNext »

    Wearable Technology Gives Hope for Disabled

    Date Posted: October 10, 2019
    0 Comments

    Wearable Technology Gives Hope for Disabled

    With all of today’s advances in emerging technologies, have you ever wondered: How else could we use this for a greater purpose? Luckily, a few folks from Electronics of the Future and Florida International University (FIU) had that exact thought. They decided it was time to make a difference and began working on new advances in both wearable and assistive technology. Together, they have developed a skin sensing vision system for the visually impaired and have completely changed the way we look at medical sensing technology.

    The Who and the What

    Before we dive into this new evolutionary technology, lets introduce the creators. Dr. Michael Shur with Electronics of the Future has teamed up with Shubhendu Bhardwaj, John Volakis and team with the Florida International University (FIU), to push the technology industry forward and change the lives of many. They are working on two new products, currently in their final stages before launch to the open market. The technology consists of both wearable and assistive technology. Wearable Technology is currently one of the fastest growing areas of the technology industry. Many of us can recognize these types of tech from popular products including Apple Watches, Fit Bits, and more. Whereas, Assistive Technology might not be as well-known to most. It can be defined as any device or software that helps people work around the challenges faced from a disability. These types of technology range from screen readers to hearing aids and help users regain the independence they may have once had.

    Skin Sensing Vision System

    Whether someone is completely blind or visually impaired, completing everyday tasks can be a challenge. Even just walking down the street can be a treacherous feat. That is where Dr. Michael Shur got his inspiration for his new Skin Sensing Vision System technology. One day when picking his son up from school, he noticed a child with a walking cane. The boy was hitting the edge of the curb with the cane and Shur thought to himself, “there’s got to be a better way”. So, he got to work on a mission to find it. The tech consists of a flexible electronic device that has direct input to the human skin. Through the use of a camera and image processing data base, the device can accurately detect an object and compute its distance from it. Through two skin patches, signals will be transmitted from the device to the user, acting as an artificial eye. All new users will first need to complete a training course to familiarize themselves with the system. But after training, users will be able to distinguish what object is in front of them and how far away it is. Whether it be a tree or a bench, the device will signal the object and its distance/direction from them to the user. The best part is the system is built right into everyday clothing, such as a t-shirt. Being unlike anything else available today, this technology has the potential to change the lives of the visually impaired community forever!

    Wearable Medical Sensing Technology

    For many, mobility can be a real issue. For the elderly, disabled, amputee, or infant, it is hard to constantly keep track of various bodily functions. Even through the advancements we have had in medical technology, when movement is a problem having to constantly go back and forth to your devices can be a pain. Fortunately, Bhardwaj, Volakis and team have developed and improved wearable medical sensing and imaging devices. From heartbeat to blood pressure, all a user has to do is link their tech with their phone and they have constant access to their current readings. Taking this one step further, the readings can also be linked to their doctor’s office. Allowing the doctor to keep track and alert the patient should something be out of line. Now you might be thinking, “how big of a device do I need to strap across my body to do this?” Not to worry though, similar to the vision system, this device is also built right into your every day clothing. But it gets better still! The team has also developed wireless charging pads that can go right over furniture. This means, you could be wirelessly charging your t-shirt device while sitting at your kitchen table for lunch. Now it may sound great but whats the catch? How much is this going to run me? Luckily, this type of technology is very inexpensive and would be as much as other wearable tech devices we already have. Items like wristband heartbeat sensors or standard hearing aids. Not to mention what the insurance company will be able to cover.   So, with cheap costs and nothing but strong benefits why not keep a look out for the release of these new devices and ask your medical professional if something like this could one day be right for you. In conclusion, these new advances spell hope for the future of the disabled community overall and can help millions live a more accessible and easy life.  
    « PreviousNext »

    The Truth about Quadriplegics

    Date Posted: September 26, 2019
    0 Comments

    The Truth about Quadriplegics

    Quadriplegia, also known as Tetraplegia, is a type of paralysis that causes partial or full loss of use to the persons body and four limbs. Quadriplegia can be caused by a Spinal Cord Injury, or be a lasting effect of another illness. (Cerebral Palsy, Stroke, etc.) Simply put: Quadriplegics can’t move anything below the neck. A common question that comes up will always be: How does one find happiness through such hardship?

    How Disabling is Quadriplegia?

    When is comes to which Disability is the most “disabling”, Quadriplegia is high up on the list. In fact, not having control over most of your body is the clearest cut definition of a visible disability. (See our article on Invisible Disabilities) Caregivers are of utmost importance due to the lack of mobility. Interactions like getting out of bed in the morning, eating a meal, even going to the bathroom may give someone the sense of dependence. While it seems like you are living a completely different life, there are some things that are still available to the disabled. Due to the mouth being above the neck, speaking is still an ability Quadriplegics maintain. (varying from from person to person)

    The ‘lesser’ diagnosis of Quadriplegia, where the person is only paralyzed below their hips, is known a Paraplegia. This gives people the use of their arms and torso, which luckily allows the person more independence in life. With the use of their upper body, Paraplegics are still able to drive a car, make food, use the bathroom, and overall live a mostly private life. There’s one thing every ‘-plegic’ has in common though.. those dang stairs!

    Can Quadriplegics feel pain?

    A common misconception people have about Quadriplegics is that they do not feel pain under the neck. While this may be true about the external stimuli, Quadriplegics can still feel the sensations internally in areas that do not respond to external pain. We advise anyone who feels these sensations to speak with their doctor as pain medication will be available for prescription.

    Finding Happiness in Loss of Functionality.

    This can be one of the hardest challenges being a Quadriplegic. (Depending on the person) Happiness and joy is one of the most sought after emotions for every living being. The struggle of ones challenges in life will always be that, a personal battle that one must overcome. Some things just come naturally to people, like the ability to find happiness in a dark situation. To others, they may have to search for a reason to keep waking up in the morning. Sometimes it is easier to just see happiness in action: With so many different curve balls happening in ones life, you might just want to step back and think “I’m so lucky to be alive right now”. Nothing can prepare you for a life altering injury, or radical changes to your health. What you can do though, is stay positive through hard times, and find support in loved ones and health professionals. With the right willpower, anyone can go through anything, and come out a better person in the end.
    « PreviousNext »

    Dreamscape Foundation: A Charity for the Disabled & Our Community

    Date Posted: September 16, 2019
    0 Comments

    Dreamscape Foundation: A Charity for the Disabled & Our Community

    Founded in 2013, The Dreamscape foundation was created when the founder, Joseph Sehwani was diagnosed with a rare disease at the age of sixteen that took away his vision. Since then, Joseph has created a vision of his own for people suffering from rare diseases. Providing individuals with scholarships, job aids, education accommodations, health aids and all amenities to help them succeed in life. This foundation focuses on supporting their future to provide equality.

    Accessibility First

    We know that living with a disability can negatively impact one’s chances of success in education and employment, but at Dreamscape Foundation, we believe that we have the power to do something to address this. While nothing can prepare us for an unanticipated disability, Dreamscape Foundation offers hope. Our non-profit provides accommodations for individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of education and life-fulfilling work. Our mission is to aid the small population of people affected by sensory impairments to help them achieve success and to fund a cure. We encourage the community to embrace the use of accessible technology to ensure independence. In the past, Dreamscape Foundation had partnered with IT consulting company Intone Networks and accessibility software company User1st to build out our accessibility platform. The program is unique in that we are not aware of any other non-profit organizations who are committed to holding accessibility to such a high standard and provide similar services.

    Dreamscape Foundation’s Mission

    The commitment of Dreamscape comes from Joe Sehwani’s struggles and difficulties after he lost his vision in high school at sixteen. It is a privilege to work with a charity that works hard to ensure others struggling with similar disabilities are well taken care of and know that they are not alone.The prevalence of visual disabilities also stands to show the need for support for those who are blind or living with low vision. Across the world, 285 million people live with some type of visual impairment, with 39 million living with blindness and 246 million with low vision. In the United States, those with a visual disability account for about 2.2% of the total population. Without accessibility, we do a disservice not just to the quality of life for those living with a disability – we also prevent them living to their fullest potential. Our charity can better justify program expenses that involve accessibility. This is illustrated clearly when we look at the number of working-age persons with disabilities in the United States who are employed. Right now, that number is only 35% – Dreamscape believes that with accessibility, that number can be much higher.

    Helping our Community

    Dreamscape partners with many other charities on both a local and national scale with many different missions. We support local charities by partnering with them on fundraisers, campaigns and events as well as support them with various product donations. At Dreamscape, we’re committed to addressing these issues and advocating for the changes needed to help those living with disabilities. Although living with a disability can be a struggle, we are here to assist and support.
    « PreviousNext »

    Adjusting to Challenges of Being a Young Adult with Disabilities

    Date Posted: September 2, 2019
    0 Comments

    Adjusting to Challenges of Being a Young Adult with Disabilities

    The transition into adulthood can be quite different for everyone, but nevertheless, still challenging. Waking up and noticing changes to your own body is a difficult time for any child growing up. Now, on top of that, imagine making that same transition with a disability.

    Facing the real world

    For most of us high school is the time of our lives. We get to see our friends everyday, 3 months off during the year, and the only thing we have to worry about is homework and if our crush likes us back. Being a teenager, it is only natural to focus on the things that make you happy, but did anyone ever stop to think about the other types of kids in high school? The ones who struggled or had it more difficult than everyone else. Not many people think much about it, so don’t feel bad. Having a disability means a lot of things and while you’re in school you can receive special education tailored to the specific disability. This is really great… until you wonder what happens after they are no longer in the school system. The reality is, this special education doesn’t help them prepare for adulthood or living on their own after high school. After they exceed the age limit, which in most states is 22, a lot of people lose their support services. For example, the service could be their pediatric therapies are terminated.

    What happens next?

    After high school the average person will either go to college or go straight to working. Then, they will proceed on with their normal lives. But, For people with disabilities it’s not so simple. In 2014, a poll was taken of people 25 and older to determine the percentage of people with disabilities who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics  only 16.4% received a bachelor’s degree. After that,  25.5% received some college or an associate’s degree, 36.8% received a high school diploma and no college, and 21.3% received less than a high school education. These percentages are extremely low compared to the average person. This makes it more than difficult for these young adults to find jobs, or even live an independent lifestyle. Not to mention that on top of their daily struggles they go through the constant discrimination, dirty looks, and feeling as if they’re slowing the people around them down. Could you imagine what that life is even like?

    A life of independence

    You may now be wondering how someone with a disability could manage any sense of in-dependency. It’s not easy  and sometimes, not possible. There are numerous reasons on top of being under-prepared by education on why it is incredibly difficult for someone to  live on their own. These reasons could be that the family member or caregiver simply lacks the easily accessible comprehensive up-to-date  resources, options and possibilities. Or, something that is out of their control would be that the funding is extremely scarce.  It could also be something as simple as the person has spent too much time with their caregiver or family member. This is extremely typical because someone with a disability doesn’t have personal control of access to transportation or personal assistance. This also results in them having no experience in a social life, making it extremely difficult for someone to pursue a friendship or relationship. In spite of that, listed below are just a few options for a disabled person to begin living independently.
    • Speak to your physician about local support groups
    • Seek employment or volunteer opportunities
    • Practice good health and nutrition/ remain active
    • Join in on community activities
    • Caring for a pet
    We believe everyone can have an independent lifestyle. If you or a family member is struggling, remember no one is ever alone. The best thing to do first is contact your physician to see if they recommend any first steps to being independent. After that, give some of our tips a try!
    « PreviousNext »

    VISIONS: Preparing the Blind Workforce for an Independent Life

    Date Posted: June 28, 2019
    0 Comments

    VISIONS: Preparing the Blind Workforce for an Independent Life

    VISIONS image For as far back as we can remember, people with disabilities have had to struggle with living fully independent lives. For the blind community, the most common misconceptions are being seen as having an inability to complete normally daily or work related tasks due to their lack of sight. People instantly assume that an individual is unable to survive or live on their own. But in truth, independence and the ability to sustain oneself is the key to overcoming any struggle.  The great people at VISIONS understand this concept and have made it their mission to aid the blind community of New York in achieving true independence.

    What is VISIONS?

    In the 1920’s a group of six women got together and started an organization dedicated to helping the blind community of New York. It began as a “Vacation Camp” where blind members of the community could come and spend up to two weeks at a time. But little did these six women know, what the future would hold for their little Vacation Camp. Over the years, this small get away and boarding service for the blind fostered into much more. Now, VISIONS has three locations throughout New York, that provide programs and services free of charge, to over 7,000 people every year! Their programs and services include in home training, job training and placement, rehabilitation and other programs for children, teens, adults and the elderly. All of their rehabilitation services are conducted through a team effort. Their teams consist of Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT), Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS), Registered Licensed Occupational Therapists (OTR/L), and Licensed Social Workers. Together their teams help individuals and their families learn the techniques they’ll need to live with vision loss. Their ultimate goal is to help keep them active at school, home, work and in the community.

    Focusing on Abilities not Inabilities

    VISIONS was consecutively voted #1 in NY for job placement of legally blind persons in 2016, 2017, and 2018! I had the opportunity to speak with Michael Cush, the Senior Director of Workforce Development at VISIONS, who filled me in on their strategic approach. They utilize a teams of people who work directly with the clients, mostly on a one-on-one basis. They take an individualized approach to each new client they work with. “When a client comes into our offices, they all have one thing in common, they have a visual impairment, but different backgrounds and specific needs”, said Michael. They know everyone is different and just because their disabilities are similar that doesn’t mean their abilities are too. Their focus in on each person’s abilities and not their inabilities! They get to know the client and what strengths they have. Once that is determined, they begin their training and learning how to remain independent in the workplace. By utilizing technology and more, each individual can learn what works best for them to get the job done. Going a step further, their Workforce Development team not only educates clients, but employers as well. They work diligently to teach businesses the truth about visually impaired employees. Its not that they cannot do their job because they are blind, but rather because they are blind, they need to do their job a different way. This is why many employers are blind to the abilities of their visually impaired employees and only see their inabilities. They are fixated on the idea that a job needs to be done one standard way, when in fact every employee is different and therefore so are their approaches. VISIONS is an organization dedicated to making their community a better place for all people. Though they only service residents of New York, their online resources and hotline number are available to all! To learn more about their services, numerous resources including the BlindLine, and more please visit their website. Interested in getting involved with VISIONS? Simply call their main number: (212) 625-1616 and someone will give you all the information you need! To keep up with all their news, updates and events you can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
    « PreviousNext »

    donate once,give monthly

    Invest in a more accessible world where everyone can succeed despite a disability. 100% of donations help people with disabilities.

    Donate Today

    ourfundraisers

    At Dreamscape Foundation, we offer an internal fundraising system that ensures that 100% of the funds you raise go directly to supporting accessibility.

    Start a Fundraiser

    Shop ourstore

    You can show your support for people with disabilities to everyone you meet when you purchase and wear one of our Dreamscape Foundation products.

    Shop Our Store
    • Get To Know Us
      • Read Our Blog
      • Social Media
      • Learn Our Story
    • Connect
      • Contact Us
      • Press Releases
      • Request a Demo
    • Resources
      • See Financials
      • Our Policies
      • In-kind Donors
    • Get Involved
      • Volunteer
      • Shop Our Store
      • Brand Partnerships
    Dreamscape Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) • Privacy Policy • ©2019 • EIN 46-4401372
    Web Support by Cloud LGS • All donations are tax-deductible.

    Get Our Newsletter

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.