Embracing the Winter Wonderland: AT for your Outdoor Sports Adventures

1. Embracing the Winter Wonderland: AT for your Outdoor Sports Adventures February 13, 2014

2. Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) • A disability justice movement working to transform communities. • Home of Michigan’s Assistive Technology Program • MDRC’s Web Page: www.mymdrc.org • Contactmdrc@mymdrc.org

3. Presenters & Topics • Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL) • Cross Country Skiing • Ice Skating • MonTech • Snowmobiling • Skiing • Ice Fishing • Michigan Adaptive Sports • Snowboarding

4. Winter Sports Leah Ross and Sarah Peura Superior Alliance for Independent Living

5. Assistive Technology for Cross Country Skiing This sit ski was designed by Central Cross Country Association (CXC) from Hayward, WI.

6. Children’s Sit Ski A children’s version sit ski by Kevin Carr of Chosen Valley Creating Ability of Chatfield, MN

7. More Sit Skis!

8. Dean’s Sit Ski SAIL Board Member Dean and his creation

9. Assistive Technology for Cross County Skiing Ski Boots for Braces

10. Adapted Cross Country Ski Poles To help people who have a limited ability to grip handles.

11. Adaptations for Skiers -Vision Use of guides Use of a pole

12. Assistive Technology for Ice Skating Gliding Stars adapted ice skates

13. Gliding Stars Ice Skating Walker Three models of walkers have been developed to aid stability and balance

14. Ice Skating Walkers In Use

15. Ice Skating Harness By Gliding Stars Aid stability and balance

16. Skaters

17. More Skaters!

18. AT for Winter Sports Snowmobiling, Skiing and Ice Fishing Gary J Colella, ATP, CEAC

19. Adapted Snowmobile Offered in many major ski areas around the world. Most snowmobiles only require small modifications to be used by people with physical challenges.

20. Throttle Lever One of the most common adaptations made is a throttle lever extension

21. Snowmobile Modifications • Hand controls, special seats, and other accessible equipment • For example, a snowmobile can be modified or retrofitted with a special seat or chair with a back and an attachment for the feet.

22. Depending on your level of disability, there are several ways you can ski using different types of adaptive equipment. Downhill Skiing

23. An individual with two legs and arms, natural or prosthetic, who is capable of standing independently or with the aid of outriggers, could ski four-track using two skis with two hand-held outriggers. Four Track Skiing

24. Four Track: Tip Clamps In addition to outriggers, ski stabilizers or tip clamps (ski bras) are used for lateral stability if needed. A tip clamp can also allow a skier’s strong side to help control the weaker side.

25. Four Track Skiing: Snow Slider The snow slider is another form of four-track skiing for those with more severe balance issues. Skis are mounted to the metal frame making it something like a walker with skis. The skier uses their own boots and skis, and is aided by instructors on either side.

26. Stand-up skiing using one full-size ski and two handheld outriggers for balance/support, giving the skier three points of contact with the snow. Requires strong leg and arm strength and may not be for those who have weakness in their remaining limbs. Three Track Skiing

27. Suitablefor any skier who stands on two skis without outriggers. The skier can stand and maintain balance while in motion Adaptive equipment (tethers, spacers, ski bras, etc.) may be used to aid in leg strength. There are many below-knee amputees who can ski using the two-track methods Two Track Skiing

28. Uses a bucket style seat with a single ski underneath it. An individual uses handheld outriggers for balance, requiring strong arms and good core strength and trunk balance. Individuals who have lower limb impairments and reasonable trunk stability and balance use mono-skis. Mono-Skiing

29. Uses a bucket style seat with two skis underneath it. The bi-ski is designed for those who use a wheelchair or have difficulty walking even when assisted by crutches, canes or walkers. Bi-Skiing

30. Bi-Ski, Continued A bi-ski can be skied independently like a mono-ski using the same type of handheld outriggers or can be skied with the assistance of an instructor using fixed outriggers and tethers (reins attached to the back of the bi-ski). Skiers turn by either moving their head and shoulders or by using handheld outriggers.

31. Vision and Skiing Skiers learn to ski with the assistance of a specifically trained guide. For first-time VI skiers, the guide skis first, but facing backwards to the student; students with peripheral vision can be guided from the side. A guide can also call out instructions from behind the skier. The key is for the student and guide to determine the best method of communication before the lessons begin.

32. Ice Fishing If someone is a wheelchair user they can use their chair to ice fish with, there are many ways to make adaptations to a wheelchair so it can be used to help with the ice fishing experience.

33. Rod Holders • Many commercial types of rod holders exist, • Some pvc pipe and a bit of ingenuity may be all you need to hold the rod steady. • There are many Rotary Club International groups around the country that have tackle-loaning programs as well as some outdoor assistive technology.

34. Electric Reels • Electric reels are available and are helpful for those who are unable to use a traditional hand crank. • Reels can be activated in many ways with multiple switch options.

35. Tip Ups The Tip Ups pictured are home- made models, they have been made higher to be more accessible.

36. Wheelchair Sled A wheelchair sled can help get a wheelchair to an ice fishing spot, and it can be pushed or towed by a snowmobile or 4 wheeler.

37. Boot Spikes Boot spikes are a good way to help prevent slips and falls when ice fishing

38. Cane Spikes Cane Spikes can be helpful for a cane user to get better traction on ice

39. Seated Cart A seated cart is different than a wheelchair sled, basically it is a seat with skids.

40. Tow Behind Cart Carts can be modified to be pulled by scooters and wheelchairs

41. Contact 406-243-5751 1-877-243-5511 (toll free in MT) montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu

42. Adaptive Snowboarding Snug Seat and Snowboard Program Lead - Michigan Adaptive Sports

43. What is Adaptive Snowboarding (ASB)? Sharing the sport of snowboarding with people who may have a variety of physical and/or cognitive challenges by modifying/adjusting the skills, concepts and outcomes of the activity to meet the unique needs of each person through the use of techniques and equipment.

44. Six Common Categories in ASB Visual Auditory Cognitive Neurological Structural and Anatomical Combination Source: American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Adaptive Snowboard Guide

45. 3 Most important Points for ASB Safety Have fun Learn something new

46. Safety Responsibility Code for Skiers and Riders Learn the ASB’s capabilities and limitations when making decisions regarding terrain, equipment, pace and lesson content Making sure equipment is well fitting and in good working order Slam-free lesson

47. Adaptive EquipmentStudent-Independent option Outriggers (single or double) Ski Poles Bamboo Pole

48. Adaptive EquipmentInstructor-Assisted: Horse and Buggy Two ridged poles attached around waist by bicycle tube or harness Allows instructor to rotate hips to turn, aid in turn shape and promote weight shifting and speed control

49. Adaptive EquipmentInstructor Options: Sno-Wing Resembles a wind-surfing boom that attaches to the rider’s waist with a belt harness Helps stabilize the student’s upper body Instructor can assist in turns and speed control

50. Adaptive EquipmentMore Instructor Options • Tethers • Can attach to rider via belt or board with snowboard clamps • Helps with speed control and initiates weight shifts and turns • Can be used for pulling rider on flat terrain to help with balance • Hand to hand or Hands to Waist • Direct contact between rider and instructor • Helps increase rider’s comfort level