The manufacturers of Whill Model M, a new high-tech, compact wheelchair, boast that its tight turning radius and ability to handle any terrain will allow users to go anywhere you want. The only thing limiting accessibility? The price tag. Today we’re looking at the widening gap between innovation and affordability in the mobility device market.
Then, it’s a lifesaving medication for millions of people – so why are so many trying to find alternatives to the effective, easy to use EpiPen?
Listen to the full show.
Accessing Accessibility
Mobility devices are undergoing a surge in innovation, allowing unprecedented levels of accessibility...if you can afford it. David Perry is a disability rights journalist and history professor at Dominican University. He attended an abilities expo in Chicago where top of the line mobility devices and assistive technology were on display. He wrote about widening gap between innovation and affordability for Pacific Standard magazine.
The Psychology of Tiny Houses
The tiny house and micro-apartment movement is sweeping American cities and towns. In cities, these teeny units are proposed as an stylish, affordable solution for the homeless, and as a way to keep young urbanites from getting squeezed out of the rental market. Alexis Sobel Fitts looked into the psychological ramifications of living in cramped places, and found that micro-living may result in another kind of squeeze. Alexis is co-anchor of the Cross Sections blog and a contributing writer for Un Dark where we found her article on “The Psychology of Living In Small Spaces.”
Holdout
Now, a story about people clinging to tiny slivers of property in the face of powerful market forces. It came to us from Roman Mars and 99% Invisible.
You can listen to this story again at PRX.org.
The Rising Cost of EpiPens
Millions of people with life-threatening allergies carry EpiPens. That's the registered trademark for auto-injectors of epinephrine, which can reverse anaphylaxis and other severe allergic reactions. But, as Ike Swetlitz reports for Stat, the price of EpiPens has more than quintupled since 2004, leaving many desperate families and emergency medical responders to use less safe, and less precise manual syringes.
The Bookshelf: A Look at Life in the "Rust Belt"
The Bookshelf is a chance to hear NHPR's All Things Considered host Peter Biello, talk with regional authors. Today, writer Paul Hertneky talks about his new memoir Rust Belt Boy.
You can listen to this episode again here: The Bookshelf: A Look at Life in the "Rust Belt"
