Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library AT Focus - A Publication for Local Branches of Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library at the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University Volume 8 Ą Issue 3 Ą Winter 2005 Inside this issue Page 1 - Assistive Technology for Recreation Page 2 - Action Life Glove Strong Arm Fishing Pole Holder Angler's Fishing Aid Coming Soon - Golf Kit Page 3 - All-Turn-It Spinner ADALAP Games for People with Visual Disabilities Page 4- Think About ... Other Devices New Devices Loan Request Forms Local Branches Needed Related Websites Page 5- Contact Us Assistive Technology for Recreation by Ann E. Dolloff, CTRS Assistant Director, Accessible and Assistive Technologies What we do in our free time has powerful meaning in our lives- from improving physical health, learning a new skill, or simply relaxing. But imagine if you acquired a disability- couldn't walk, use both hands, see, hear, speak clearly, etc. Could you still ski, golf, fish, knit, garden, cook, take pictures, practice yoga, do a crossword puzzle or read a book? Assistive technology (AT) helps people, regardless of abilities, do things they enjoy.Assistive technology is flourishing in the world of recreation: specialty wheelchairs designed for hiking or playing tennis or rugby, or dancing; water and snow skis for skiers who sit, tandem bicycles for riders who need guides, modified boats and gear for fishing, raised garden beds and adapted tools, reading machines, and so much more. If there is an activity you enjoy, I bet there are existing modifications to help you. I challenge each of you reading this article to research an activity of your choice, and discover what AT has been developed to help people with disabilities to participate. All it takes is desire, motivation, and creativity to begin the process of applying AT to recreation. With questions about AT and recreation, contact a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Therapeutic Recreation believes that leisure and recreation are basic human rights and must be available to all people, including those with illnesses or disabilities. To find a CTRS, contact the National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS), a branch of the National Recreation and Park Association at http://www.nrpa.org/ or at NTRSNRPA@nrpa.com. This issue of AT Focus highlights devices in the Lending Library that can be used for recreation. Action Life Glove This leather glove features two loop straps. The smaller hook strap enables the user to grip objects such as pool cues, ping-pong paddles, tennis rackets, etc. The larger strap, when put through a loop on the glove, forms a closed fist which enables the user to exercise on machines such as a Universal Gym, free weights, etc. It is available in left and right styles, and small, medium, and large sizes (the wrist size for a medium is approximately 7"- 8"; other sizes are smaller or larger by 1"). Inventory codes: RE-AGLL (large left); RE-AGLR (large right); RE-AGML (medium left); RE-AGMR (medium right); RE-AGSL (small left); RE-AGSR, (small right). Cost for each glove: $50. The Action Life Glove Kit (RE-GLOV - $300) contains all gloves listed above. Available from Access To Recreation: 800-634-4351, customerservice@accesstr.com, http://www.accesstr.com Strong Arm Fishing Pole Holder The Strong Arm is a versatile fishing rod holder that is designed for use by anyone with limited or no grip. It is made of leather and can be worn over or under most clothing. It is available for the right or left arm. Inventory code: RE-STRARML (left arm), RE-STRARMR (right arm) Cost: $36; available from Access To Recreation: 800-634-4351 customerservice@accesstr.com http://www.accesstr.com Angler's Fishing Aid This device is worn around the body and is designed to hold all styles of rods. This also makes it possible for the person who is fishing to "play" the fish with one hand. Inventory code: RE-ANGLE Cost: $65; available from Access To Recreation: 800- 634-4351 customerservice@accesstr.com, http://www.accesstr.com Golf Kit The Golf Kit will contain several devices to help make playing golf easier by eliminating golfing tasks that involve bending and stooping. The Backtee(tm) ($13 and pictured here) is a device that fits on the handle of any golf club and has many uses. It can be used to insert the tee in the ground, place the ball on the tee, pick up the tee after the ball has been hit, and pick up the ball. The ADAptive Golf Stick ($60) and Assistive Golf Stick ($30) allow a golfer to tee the ball up from a distance of four to five feet from either a sitting or standing position. The Assistive Golf Stick can also be used as a ball retriever. The Kool Tee ($90) is a device that allows a golfer to tee the ball from a standing position. The Kool Tee is clipped onto a golf bag using the Kool Tee Bag Clip ($10). The Putting Pack ($10) includes a Ball Hog pickup tool and MagnaFlex Ball Markers. All of these devices are from Upright Golf: 319-268-0939, info@uprightgolf.com, www.uprightgolf.com. The website also includes photos and instructions for using these devices. Call your ATRC for an update on inventory codes. All-Turn-It(r) Spinner This switch activated spinner has a built-in external switch jack, enables random selections and is perfect for choosing groups, playing games, or as an alternative to rolling dice. Inventory code: RE-SPIN; Cost: $90. Other overlays available (requested separately) are: Bingo Overlay (RE-BING; $24) Golf and Bowling Overlay Set (RE-GOLF; $24) Soccer and Basketball Game Set (RE-SOCC; $24) Spin-N-Spell Activity Set (RE-SPELL; $22) All are available from Ablenet: 800-322-0956, customerservice@ablenetinc.com, http://www.ablenetinc.com Also remember that if the borrower does not have a switch, they will need to borrow one from the Inventory. ADALAP This mounting system comes with a base unit made from lightweight aluminum that slides under the wheelchair's seat cushion, and a quick release clamp to make height adjustment easy. Other optional components are then attached to the base unit. Inventory code: HP-ADALAP (includes Base Unit, Lap Desk, Tray, and Rod Holder) Cost: $328; Access To Recreation: 800-634-4351 mailto:customerservice@accesstr.com, www.accesstr.com Games for People with Visual Disabilities This kit contains an assortment of games and equipment that has been adapted for use by people with blindness or low vision. Inventory code: VIG-KIT; Cost: $231. Items can also be borrowed individually, using the following information: Beeping Foam Ball (VIG-BBALL; $30) Large Print Bingo Cards (sets of 10) (VIG-BINGO; $3) Chinese Checkers, Low Vision (VIG-CHECKER; $15) Chess, Deluxe Raised Square (VIG-CHESS; $45) Connect Four, Tactile (VIG-CON4; $20) Crossword Puzzle Book, Lg. Print (VIG-CROSSPZ; $10) Cards, Jumbo Face (VIG-JCRD; $4) Monopoly, Low Vision (VIG-MONO; $60) Cards, Pinochle, Braille (VIG-PINOC; $4) Rook Cards, Braille (VIG-ROOK; $14) Scrabble, Low Vision (VIG-SCRABB; $13) Automatic Card Shuffler (VIG-SHUFF; $13) These games and others can be found at Independent Living Aids: 800-537- 2118, can-do@independentliving.com, www.independentliving.com, as well as other catalogs and retailers. Think About Other Devices There are other devices in the Lending Library that can be used for leisure and recreation that are found in other sections of the Inventory. Some examples are CCTVs and magnifiers for reading and other hobbies, adapted toys from the switch toys kits, and players for recorded books. New Device Loan Request Forms All local branches have been sent copies of the new Device Loan Request Form. Revisions have been made due to new reporting requirements. Please take a look at the forms so that you are familiar with the changes. The new forms are to be used as of January 1, 2006. After that date, we will not be processing any requests made on older forms. Anyone who submits a request on an older form will be asked to complete a new one. Local Branches Needed We are looking for organizations from ALL counties to become Local Branches of the Lending Library. Contact Zona Jackson (mailto:zjackson@temple.edu) for more information, or to request a copy of the Local Branch Application. Related Websites These websites contain information about sports and recreation for people with disabilities. For more sites, try doing a web search for "disability" and a particular sport or activity (e.g. "disability and bowling"). http://www.dsusa.org/ - Disabled Sports USA http://www.palaestra.com/ - Paleastra magazine, a "Forum of Sport, Physical Education & Recreation For Those With Disabilities" http://www.usaba.org/ - United States Association of Blind Athletes http://www.usdeafsports.org/ - USA Deaf Sports Federation http://www.accessgolf.org/ - National Alliance for Accessible Golf http://www.resourcecenter.usga.org/ - United States Golf Association Resource Center for Individuals with Disabilities http://www.paralympic.org/ - International Paralympic Committee http://www.wsusa.org/ - Wheelchair Sports USA http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/recreat.htm - Family Village Recreation and Leisure Center (contains many links to other websites) Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Call toll-free: 877-PA AT LEND (voice/TTY) E-mail: atlend@temple.edu http://disabilities.temple.edu/atlend Editor: Sandra McNally smcnally@temple.edu 215-204-3370 PA's Assistive Technology Lending Library is funded by the Commonwealth of PA, with partial support from the US Dept. of Education (through PA's Initiative on Assistive Technology) and through the contributions of AT vendors, manufacturers,and users of the Lending Library. This publication is available in alternate formats, by request, Happy Holidays! 1