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The Accessible Virtual Campus

Sports and Recreation

Illustration representing Sports and Recreation section of virtual campus.

Many considerations come under the umbrella of Sports and Recreation, including but not limited to the building, the equipment, the scoreboards and the seating for spectators. Some unique approaches to accessibility in sports facilities and stadiums can be found here.

Instructional Methods and Media & Materials pages will provide tips to help you create universally designed materials beyond instructional conent. For example - forms to procure lockers, posters announcing temporary facility closings or special events all need to be prepared so that they are accessible to all.

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Elevator AUDIT

Elevators are comprised of multiple features that must be considered for full accessibility. Use this AUDIT to determine how successful your elevators are at providing access and usability for all students, staff and faculty.

R2D2 Center at UW-Milwaukee

Elevator AUDIT  (Excel Document)

Elevator AUDIT Version 1-2 Manual  (PDF File)

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Equivalent Text Description (EqTD) Tutorial for Graphics

This 5 page tutorial provides step by step instructions and examples for writing equivalent text descriptions for graphic elements.

R2D2 Center at UW-Milwaukee

Tutorial for EqTDs  (PDF File)

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Service Contract Tips

This document contains tips for "contracting for services that work for everyone including people with disabilities". Check these tips to insure accessibility before contracting for services.

R2D2 Center at UW-Milwaukee

Service Contract Tips  (Word Document)

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Thesis/Project and Dissertation Accessibility Protocol

This protocol explains the required "why" and "how" of creating an accessible thesis/document. Graduate students in the Occupational Therapy Department at UWM are required to provide an accessible copy of their thesis, project or dissertation. The protocol is distributed in conjunction with a formatted template that includes all of the requirements of the graduate school at UWM.

R2D2 Center at UW-Milwaukee

Thesis/Project & Dissertation Protocol  (PDF File)

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ABC's of the ADA

This company that specializes in adaptive pool & spa access has extracted the main points regarding pool lifts from the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, 36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 for your reference.

Aquatic Access Inc.

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Able Flight- Changing Lives through the Challenge and Freedom of Flight

Able Flight is a scholarship program that enables anyone with a physical disability the opportunity to learn and train how to fly airplanes. Recipients of these scholarships receive a full scholarship that covers flight and ground training, testing fees, study materials, lodging, and travel to flight school.

Able Flight

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Access for Students who are Hard of Hearing or Deaf

This website contains tips specific to accommodate hard of hearing students. These strategies can be applied by either students or teacher to improve the learning environment for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Class Act: a project of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology (NTID/RIT)

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Accessible Playgrounds

This website provides a list of playgrounds in the United States and Canada that have been rated for accessibility by parents, families, and students.

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Accessible Sports Facilities - Sport England

This guidance note sets out Sport England’s advice on meeting the needs of the widest range of people in the design, operation and maintenance of sports facilities, following the principles of Inclusive Design. This includes considering the needs of parents with young children, older people, alongside the needs of disabled people – people with sensory, cognitive and mobility impairments, including wheelchair users. Though this is centered on Great Britain, there are many relevant guidance notes.

Sport England 2010

Accessible Sports Facilities  (PDF File)

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Achilles Track Club

Achilles track club is a worldwide organization that is dedicated to enabling “people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, promote personal achievement, enhance self esteem, and lower barriers.” Achilles provides bi-weekly racing training programs and assistance in helping individuals sign up for racing events across the country.

Achilles International

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ADA Accessible Playground Guidelines

This YouTube video describes the ADA guidelines for building an accessible playground.

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Adaptive Golf Association

This website contains information about Adaptive Golf Association which is designed for anyone whose golf game is limited due to an injury or disability. Their expertise are in areas such as certifying special needs instructors, specialized adaptive golf instruction, teaching golf skills along with golf etiquette, and building, and/or supplying custom golf equipment.

Adaptive Golf Foundation of America

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Adaptive Sports Partners

This 2-page PDF describes the TrailRider, an accessible vehicle, for outdoor activities through Adaptive Sports Partners.

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AIMFREE Manuals: Accessibility Instruments Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environments

This website contains information on Aimfree manuals. "These manuals are a validated series of questionnaire measures that can be used by persons with mobility limitations and professionals (i.e., fitness and recreation center staff, and/or owners of fitness centers) to assess the accessibility of recreation and fitness facilities, including fitness centers and swimming pools."

The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability

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American DanceWheels Foundation

This website has information about the American DanceWheels Foundation which teaches individuals with disabilities and their dance partners ballroom and Latin dancing. They have dance studios in Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina. “Wheelchair dancers can learn to dance socially or competitively in highly creative and professional setting.”

American DanceWheels Foundation

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Best Practice of Inclusive Service

This article from Access Today by Catherine Veronic Nolan addresses the importance of inclusion for all individuals. Nolan defines inclusion and offers suggestions for over coming barriers and implementing change.

The National Center on Accessibility-Indiana University

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Community Living

Community Living provides a list of resources (with corresponding links) for individuals with varying abilities related to personal fitness, adapted physical activity, creative and expressive activities, hobbies, sports organizations, spectator sports, team and solo sports, and outdoor recreation. The website also provides articles about recreation and additional links to sports and recreation products.

WheelchairNet

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CRIS Adaptive Adventures

This site entails information about adaptive adventure equipment and outdoor programs for individuals with disabilities.

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Disabled Sports USA

Disabled Sports USA “offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with permanent disability.” This webpage contains multiple sections including the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, Youth Sports Mentoring Program, an event calendar, employment/internship opportunities, and equipment resources. Some of the sports offered include: winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, and fitness and special sports events. Some of the recreation opportunities offered include: snow skiing, water skiing, sailing, kayaking, rafting, cycling, climbing, horseback riding, golf, and social activities.

Disabled Sports USA

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Extreme Chairing

“Extreme Chairing is the largest Adaptive Action and Adventure Sports Organization in the world. Some sports such as chairing, sit ski, 4 cross, body surfing, power wheelchair racing, and others are starting to gain more attention all over the world. On Extreme Chairing you can find pictures and information about these sports, events, and some of the athletes that participate.”

Extreme Chairing

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Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc.

The goal of Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc. - For Anglers with Disabilities is to open up the great outdoors for people with disabilities through the world of fishing. The website includes information about membership and chapters of the organization as well as adaptive gear and snapshots of members in action.

Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc.

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Gaming with a Disability

Are you having difficulty playing regular games? Do you want to know which games are suited for certain impairments? This section contains information about playing games with a visual disability, auditory disability, physical disability or a learning disability.

Game Accessibility website

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GORP resources for PWD

GORP provides a list of resources related to accessible state and national parks. The website provides brief descriptions of 10 parks and the ways in which they are accessible. The corresponding links to each of the 10 parks are also provided.

Great Outdoor Recreation Pages

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International Tennis Federation- Wheelchair Tennis

The International Tennis Federation - Wheelchair Tennis website contains general information about the association and the sport. It also includes details about the players, coaches, events and tournaments, and rules of the game and links to paralympics.

The International Tennis Federation- Wheelchair Tennis

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Making A Splash: Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Aquatic Venues

This article by Susan Ostby and Jennifer Skulski addresses the topic of including people with disabilities in aquatic venues. This article addresses the benefits of swimming for all people and how to make swimming areas follow Accessibility Guidelines thus making them accessible to individuals with various forms of disabilities.

Ostby, S & Skulski, J

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Milwaukee Recreation- Therapeutic Recreation

“Milwaukee Recreation’s Therapeutic Recreation program offers activities specifically for individuals with disabilities ages 3 and up. Classes are offered throughout the year at various locations in the city of Milwaukee." This website provides links to specific locations, activities, programs, and special events.

Milwaukee Recreation

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National Alliance for Accessible Golf

The National Alliance for Accessible Golf is dedicated to ensuring the “inclusion of people with disabilities into the game of golf.” The Alliance “promotes inclusion and awareness to the golf, industry, golf instructors, and the public.” This website provides information about the number of individuals with disabilities that play golf, golf tournaments, and a “tool kit” for golfers.

National Alliance for Accessible Golf

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National Rifle Association Headquarters - Disabled Shooting Services

The National Rifle Association “Disabled Shooting Services guides more Americans with physical disabilities into hunting and outdoor activities than all other shooting sports organizations in the nation.” This webpage outlines upcoming national events, and provides a link to each state website detailing the specific hunting and fishing regulations for people with disabilities.

National Rifle Association Headquarters

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National Wheelchair Basketball Association

"In our pursuit of excellence, the National Wheelchair Basketball Association provides qualified individuals with physical disabilities the opprotunity to play, learn, and compete in the sport of wheelchair basketball. The National Wheelchair Basketball Association is compromised of over 200 basketball teams across twenty two conferences and seven divisions." The website was recently updated in 2009.

National Wheelchair Basketball Association

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National Wheelchair Softball Association

"Wheelchair softball is an exciting and challenging summer sport that enables most wheelchair users to compete". The National Wheelchair Softball Association website provides history of the association, current events and tournaments, rules of the game, information about the teams and sponsors, how to become a member, and a photo gallery. The association was founded 30 years ago by people with spinal cord injuries and lower limb impairments.

National Wheelchair Softball Association

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National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Wheelin' Sportsmen

This website is a helpful resource for anyone looking for adaptive gear. The authors have compiled a list of “disabled-friendly” companies and their contact information. Links are given for the specific categories of hunting, mobility equipment, vehicles, medical supplies, and outdoor recreation.

National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)

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Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America (PCBA)

The Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America (PCBA) is a non-profit organization founded to encourage hunters with physically disabilities to actively participate in bowhunting and archery sports. This website provides background about the organization and upcoming events as well as hunting resources which include: a list of adaptive equipment for hunting, hunting opportunities and partners, and a trophy room with pictures.

Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America (PCBA)

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Possibility Playground

This web page is helpful for anyone interested in designing and building a playground for children of all abilities.

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Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International) has provided Equine-Assisted Activity and Therapy programs throughout the United States and Canada since 1996. “Individuals with special needs benefit from activities which include therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, equine facilitated psychotherapy and learning, driving, interactive vaulting and competition.” The website discusses PATH International’s history, purpose, and mission as well as a section to locate a center by state/province and ways to get involved or become a member/instructor.

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

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Special Olympics

The “What We Do” section on the Special Olympics website explains the mission statement of the organization as well as highlights events and how to get involved. “Dignity, acceptance, and a chance to reach one’s potential – these are human rights worth promoting for everyone. Since 1968, Special Olympics has been bringing one message to the world: people with intellectual disabilities can and will succeed if given the opportunity.”

Special Olympics

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Spinal Cord Resource Center

This website is a great resource for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

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Trail Surfaces: What Do I Need to Know Now?

This article form Access Today focuses on the critical components of an accessible trail. The author then gives advice on how to meet all of these components depending on the type of trial.

The National Center on Accessibility-Indiana University

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U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S.EWHA)

This website describes how the U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S.EWHA) provides a quality hockey program for persons requiring the use of an electric (power) wheelchair in daily life. The website lists special events, tournaments, and teams: Carolina Fury, Minnesota Selects, Michigan Mustangs, and Philadelphia PowerPlay.

U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S.EWHA)

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U.S. Handicapable (USH) Square Dance Association

This website contains information about the U.S. Handicapable (USH) Square Dance Association, its history, what’s new, the location of different clubs and how to get involved. The goal of the USH is to “inspire and share the love of dance with their members". The USH Square Dance Association includes dance groups throughout the United States, and members all have various abilities and disabilities.

U.S. Handicapable (USH) Square Dance Association

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United States Access Board

This government website provides information on making the various areas of a recreation facility accessible.

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United States Access Board: Guide on Golf Courses

This website contains guidelines for creating accessible golf courses as well as other golf related equipment.

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United States Quad Rugby Association

This website explains that “The United States Quad Rugby Association exists to provide opportunity, support, and structure for competitive wheelchair rugby to people with disabilities. The association exists to help people get involved in the fastest growing wheelchair sport in the world. Smashing Stereotypes One Hit at a Time is the main message of the players and the sport.

United States Quad Rugby Association

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Universal Design New York

This is a desktop reference manual which presents common universal design principles from Universal Design New York and offers examples of how to incorporate these ideas into other projects.

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Wheelchair Sports, Recreation, and Accessible Travel

The United Spinal Association provides a list of resources related to accessible travel, adaptive recreation and hobbies, adaptive sports, programs for kids with disabilities, arts for wheelchair users, and camps for special needs populations. The list allows a user to search programs by category or state.

http://web.archive.org/web/20181119192434/http://www.usatechguide.org/articledisplay.php?artid=22

New information and communications technologies can improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, but only if such technologies are designed from the beginning so that everyone can use them. Given the explosive growth in the use of the World Wide Web for publishing, electronic commerce, lifelong learning and the delivery of government services, it is vital that the Web be accessible to everyone.

Bill Clinton