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The Accessible Virtual Community

Sports and Recreation

Picture represents Recreation and Sports Section of virtual community.

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. To search for more related information, you can go to our Search Page.

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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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ADA Accessible Playground Guidelines

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

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ADA Requirements: Service Animals

This website has updated ADA guidelines, regulations, and rights for people with service animals.

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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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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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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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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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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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Recreation Manual

This pdf document includes a list of recreation resources for people with disabilities, in particular, specific for Kentucky. However, many of the listings are also National organizations.

Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky

Recreation Manual  (PDF File)

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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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Tips for Communicating with People who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

A tip sheet for communicating with individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

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Tour Guides for Individuals with Developmental and Physical Disabilities

The Guided Tour, Inc established in 1972 is the first supervised travel and vacation program in the US for people with developmental and physical disabilities. This program is run only by paid professionals with a 1:3 or even 1:1 staff to client ratio. A nurse is present on almost all trips and can be requested. This travel program is for ages 17 and older.

The Guided Tour, Inc.

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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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The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.

Tim Berners-Lee
W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web