June 7, 2011

Exchange Spotlight: Building Capacity for Inclusive Recreation 1

by Jamie Rivas • For Professionals, MIUSA Exchange Programs • Tags: , ,

A group of ten professionals and disability leaders from China participated in MIUSA’s 13-day U.S./China Inclusive Sports & Recreation for Youth with Disabilities Exchange Program, in Eugene, Oregon, U.S.A. Here is just a snapshot of some of the practical experiences that they will apply to their work, toward the goal of increasing inclusive recreation and sports opportunities for youth with disabilities in China:

Delegates work with a tactile display of what the ropes challenge course is like

Participants from China experience an inclusive outdoor ropes challenge course. A tactile model of a high element activity (pictured above) is one strategy for making the course accessible for people with visual disabilities.

Delegates experience adapted bicycling

Community adaptive recreation specialist demonstrates one of many types of adapted sports and recreation equipment available to rent, including tandem bicycles (like the one pictured here), sports wheelchairs, water-skis and much more.

City of Eugene official demonstrates how to turn an inaccessible river raft into an accessible adventure for Chinese delegates

A city recreation leader describes the collaborative process of designing adaptations to make recreation activities accessible for people with diverse disabilities. Chinese delegates examined this raft, which includes seats for people with limited mobility, and discussed other modifications including using hand signals for people who are Deaf or using gloves with Velcro to assist people with limited strength or movement to hold paddles.

City Physical Education Instructor shares how certain PE activities can be adapted

Local physical education teacher discusses creative and practical adaptations to include students with disabilities in physical activities alongside their non-disabled classmates, such as rock climbing pictured here. Delegates also observed students who are blind playing soccer with sighted students, using a ball tied inside a plastic bag for audible cues.