Katie Rodriguez Banister,
President, Access-4-All, Inc.
2008
Announcing the release of Access-4-All’s third publication, A Pocket of Poems and How to Write Your Own. A collection of Katie Banister’s autobiographical poetry, to encourage others to write poetry as a coping mechanism and includes ten different poetic patterns to choose from. Beautifully illustrated, each poem includes a story behind its origin. Bad things happen every day; the trick is to find the beauty in the bad.
We have held in book signings at United Seating and Mobility, Borders Books & Music stores, and many schools.
Access-4-All participated in The Department of Mental Health assistive technology training video for librarians. To order a free copy and more information go to: www.librarian411.org
Katie continues to serve on the boards of directors for The Recreation Council and Lifeskills. She is president of the Recreation Council and Program Chair with Lifeskills.
Katie and Steve continue to serve on the accessibility committee with The St. Louis Science Center to evaluate new exhibits and programs.
Katie is now Reverend Katie and can perform wedding and funeral services. She is ordained by Universal Life Church Monastery in Seattle, Washington. Click on “Ceremonies” on our site for more information.
Access-4-All has celebrated 5 years of diversity training classes for the St. Louis Zoo employees. Please visit the zoo when you can. They now have an aide station for people with disabilities and the employees want to give you a great experience when you are there.
Aunt Katie’s Visit – a book among friends
2007
Independently Speaking TV Cape Girardeau, MO 2007
St. Louis on the Air with Don Marsh on Caregiving 2007
PCA Guide reviewed in New Mobility September 2007
Kansas City Star October
Donna Seebo Internet Show October
Exercise Video Enabling Mobility Center November
2006
Jim Cox Show KEZK radio St. Louis 2006
2005
Katie and Steve Banister spoke to 5,000 students, teachers, parents and a variety of groups this past year. Our message of inclusion has reached out to many parts of Missouri, but also Michigan, Florida and Illinois. We really love what we do! Check out our Appearance link to find out where we have been.
During the fall and spring, you might see Katie on the commercial for the St. Louis Community College. She's "Wishing for a career in technology." Yeah right! My wheelchair is as technical as I can get. That commercial was made in 2003 but it's not a "dated" ad so they can continue to use it each new school year. The bummer part is the commercial compensation was $200. Next time residuals may have to be discussed. Oh well, that's the media!
We created a new Promotional DVD with segments including "Meet Katie and Steve" and a "Sample Presentation." You can see these two on our web site in the School Programs section. The DVE also has the "Change TAkes Time" video on it. This is an eight minute montage of photos set to music depicting my recovery.
Look for our next book The Personal Care Attendant Guide: How to Find and How to Be a Good One, to be released later this year. It's an easy to read workbook filled with personal stories about care giving from people with disabilities and personal care attendants. This guide doesn't have ALL the answers but it gives perspectives from both sides and may help those who need help to find it.
2004 –
Here’s an update on Access-4-All, Inc.
On December 20, 2003 we released our children’s book “Aunt Katie’s Visit.”
"Aunt Katie's Visit" is a new and valuable resource for parents and teachers to help educate children about abilities. Forget pity! This colorful, hardback book is positive, fun and entertaining.
"The quality of the book shows in the clear and vibrant illustrations by Eric Whitfield." -Rosemary Gwyn-Abrahams, Early Childhood and Family Literacy Specialist, Kirkwood, MO
"Aunt Katie's Visit is intelligent and meaningful children's reading. It's a story of acceptance and courage." -Paul Crutcher, "The Current" University of Missouri, St. Louis
"Aunt Katie's Visit" can be ordered online at www.access-4-all.com or by sending a check payable to Access-4-All, Inc. to PO Box 220751, St. Louis, MO 63122.
Cost: $16.99 plus s/h $4.00 for 1 book, $1.00 additional = $20.99
(MO residents add .07575 tax)
Call 314-821-7011 for volume discounts!
Access-4-All, Inc. is out there…
3/11/04 Print “Sun Crest Call” Crestwood, MO
3/15/04 Print “The Current” Univ. of MO St. Louis
4/17/04 Print “The Washington Missourian”
4/29/04 Print Highland News Leader, Highland, IL
Spring 04 TV – KMOV Feature story on “Aunt Katie’s Visit”
Spring 04 TV – KETC “Living St. Louis” featured guest
9/26/04 TV – ABC7 Sunday Morning News Chicago
Katie is currently working on a manual on attendant care which is targeted to be complete by the end of 2004
2003 -
In the past year, Access-4-All, Inc. has given presentations for:
The Enabling Mobility Center, Webster Groves Rotary Club, Kirkwood Public Library, St. Louis Zoo Employees, The Governor’s Committee on Disability, Washington University OT Students, Carmen Trails Elementary, Jamestown Elementary, McNair Elementary, Fontbonne University, Kirby Middle, Bristol Primary, Assistive Technology Conference, Kirkwood teachers meeting, United Hebrew Temple, 1st Congregation Pre School, and others.
Print St. Louis Post-Dispatch March 22, 2003 Home section (Karen Deer)
“Pack It Up” Backpack is Designed for People in Wheelchairs
Print St. Louis Post-Dispatch March 10, 2003 "In Business" section
Collaboration with business partner David Little, regarding our joint venture Disability Access Solutions.
TV Fox-2 News Feb. 21, 2003 Featured-SUV story
Radio KEZE Feb. 18, 2003 Up Close with Jim Cox
Print St. Louis Bus. Jrnl. Feb. 2003 Access-Sack promo
Print St. L. Small Business Monthly Jan/2003 Giving Spirit/Donation
to Recreation Council
Print Media Access Office (CA) Jan/2003 Exhibit Appearance
"Political Bodies; On
Showing, Showing Off"
Poetry Exhibit in Seattle
Print Webster-Kirkwood Times Nov. 22, 2002 Access-4-All, Inc.
TV Commercial Feb., 2002 Ad for St. Louis
Community Colleges
Print Ladue News April 13, 2001 Woman of Achievement
Announcement
Print Kirkwood High Newsletter March 15, 2001 Disability Project
Print Word/West End-Clayton March 29, 2001 Disability Project
Print Jefferson Co. Leader Feb. 15, 2001 Disability Project
Print St. Louis Post Dispatch Sep. 5, 2000 Disability Project
Print St. Louis Post Dispatch Sep. 4, 2000 Disability Project/
Personal Story on My
Wedding
Print St. Louis Post Dispatch Sept. 3, 2000 Disability Project
Print South County Journal April 8, 1998 Outstanding Young
Missourian Announcement
Beyond Barriers cable access show, host and producer 1994-96
Print Webster-Kirkwood Times Jan. 19, 1996 Disability Awareness
Personal Story
Print St. Louis Post Dispatch Spring, 1995 Health Insurance
Print St. Louis Post Dispatch May 19, 1995 Jerry Berger/Auto Lawsuit
Print St. Louis Post Dispatch July 8, 1995 Automotive Lawsuit
Print News Tribune/Jeff. City July 9, 1995 Auto Lawsuit
Print Columbia (MO) Tribune July 9, 1995 Auto Lawsuit
Print St. Louis Post Dispatch July 10, 1995 Auto Lawsuit
Print Wall Street Journal July 10, 1995 Auto Lawsuit
Print Forsyth Co. (GA) News July 23, 1995 Auto Lawsuit
Print National Law Journal July 24, 1995 Auto Lawsuit
Print The Independence Jan/Feb 1994 Receiving Advocate of the
Year Award
Print Lindbergh Community Link July 1994 Ability Awareness
Presentation
Print Webster-Kirkwood Journal Oct. 10, 1993 Camp Program I
Started
Print Kirkwood High Newsletter Mar. 13, 1992 Personal story
Katie is currently working on an autobiography and a children’s book due out by the end of 2003
Friends, some of the products and topics that we relate to are: wheelchair, wheel, chair, and backpack related items like back, pack, knapsack, knap, sack, nap, shoulder, straps, arm, pits, neck, large, small, medium, strap, hip, waist, pockets, pouches, pouch, pocket, opening, sleeve, webbing, light, lightweight, weight, handy, portable, carry all, book bag, messenger, hydration, duffel, satchel, suitcase, suit, case, access sack, convenience, function, stroller, and strollers.
