By: Hillary Fishler, for Hayes + Associates, Inc.
Snow Canyon State Park, Utah.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turns 30 on Sunday, July 26. The ADA brought the unique needs of those with physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, autoimmune disorders, and mental health challenges when in was enacted in 1990, and offers protections and “reasonable accommodation.” However, critics of the ADA outline the fact that this accommodation does not guarantee accessibility, nor does it necessarily create welcoming spaces for people with disabilities.
Inclusive programs tailored to the disability community often rely on grassroots, local, and municipal efforts. Denver, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Tacoma, among others, have municipally funded adaptive recreation programs, but for folks living outside of large metro areas, these programs are largely inaccessible. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, gatherings and facilities for adaptive and inclusive recreation are closed. For those that may be open, some individuals with disabilities – especially autoimmune and chronic illnesses – could be in higher risk categories for complications from COVID-19, and so may be even more isolated from these activities.
Below we highlight three efforts committed to adaptive movement and recreation, specializing in activities for all people within the disability community. During the pandemic, they offer recreation resources and activities that can be accessed online, and while social distancing.
Syren Nagakyrie is the founder and organizer of Disabled Hikers, located in the Pacific Northwest.
1. Disabled Hikers (www.disabledhikers.com), @disabledhikers
Founder, Syren Nagakyrie, is working to create guidebooks and rating systems for disabled hikers. They provide a platform for gear recommendations, activities, and advocacy for more accessible outdoor spaces. During the pandemic, their work includes virtual maps and tours for various national parks, resources for hiking and trail information, and a nature challenge for outdoor recreation and social distancing.
PYC offers virtual classes during the pandemic.
2. Piedmont Yoga Community (www.piedmontyogacommunity.org)
Teachers at the Piedmont Yoga Community are certified in teaching accessible yoga classes to a variety of different abilities. Specializations include teaching to individuals with developmental disabilities, chronic illnesses, physical disabilities, and cancer. Based in Oakland, CA, they will only offer virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, making them available for anyone in the world to join through their website.
A cross country ski athlete with Move United. Move United offers virtual movement classes during the pandemic.
Photo by: Move United
3. Move United (www.moveunitedsport.com)
Move United provides sports opportunities for people with physical and developmental disabilities. They sponsor athletes, such as paralympians, and provide local chapters and resources for finding adaptive recreation equipment, camps, and groups. They currently offer free daily classes in a variety of formats for the community through their web site for all ages and abilities.
The ADA and these adaptive programs play an important role in the lives of family members, friends, and loved ones at Hayes + Associates, Inc. Understanding and clearly explaining the biomechanics of how different bodies move in space is critical to the work we do. Programs for unique populations like the ones listed above, increase awareness, recognition, and inclusion of people with disabilities among the public and in the scientific community.