CanDo.com
70 Hudson St., 5th floor
Hoboken, NJ 07030
As a Web site that caters to the 25-plus million people with disabilities, CanDo.com
welcomes a wide range of information on the health and lifestyle issues that
affect this audience as well as their caregivers, families and friends. Last
February the startup merged with the producers of SpineWire.com, which targets
individuals with spinal cord injuries, to broaden its reach and expand its advisory
board.
The site went live in the spring offering news, chats and channels on advocacy, various conditions, sexuality and other resources.There's also an e-store that offers thousands
of products, ranging from audiobooks and adaptive devices to sports equipment and gear.
Recent news headlines include:
- Ruling Shields Doctors Who Discuss Marijuana With Patients
- Stroke Patients To Receive Brain Cell Transplants.
Content/Channels
News on the site spans a broad spectrum of lifestyle, public policy and health issues provided primarily by third-party resources. Content focuses on five conditions: spinal
cord injury/dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, polio, Lou Gehrig's disease and learning differences. Content also will be expanded to include information on hearing, vision,
cognitive disabilities and chronic conditions.
Pitch Tips
n pitching the editors, avoid descriptions like "the disabled," instead talk about individuals. "People are not defined by their condition," says Sam Maddox, the site's editor-
in-chief.
Similarly, don't cast people with disabilities as heroic figures who have overcome great odds. "We deal with reality, but never look at it through the lens of pity," says
Maddox.
Direct all story ideas to Maddox, he prefers email pitches: [email protected].
Information is updated daily and the average feature has a life span of three days.
Comments
In addition to the obvious health and lifestyle issues that affect those with disabilities, the site also covers less obvious stories like:
- child care;
- education and psycho-social development;
- caring for aging parents; and
- human genome news.
"This site is not just about looking at a particular disease, it's also looking at employment, travel, family issues and more," says Maddox.