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February 13, 2014

Embracing the Winter Wonderland: AT for your

Outdoor Sports Adventures

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A disability justice movement working to transform communities.

Home of Michigan’s Assistive Technology Program

MDRC’s Web Page: www.mymdrc.org Contact mdrc@mymdrc.org

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC)

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Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL) Cross Country Skiing Ice Skating

MonTech Snowmobiling Skiing Ice Fishing

Michigan Adaptive Sports Snowboarding

Presenters & Topics

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Leah Ross and Sarah Peura Leah Ross and Sarah Peura

Superior Alliance for Superior Alliance for Independent Living Independent Living

Winter Sports

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This sit ski was designed by Central Cross Country Association (CXC) from Hayward, WI.

Assistive Technology for Cross Country Skiing

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A children’s version sit ski by Kevin Carr of Chosen Valley Creating Ability of Chatfield, MN

Children’s Sit Ski

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More Sit Skis!

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SAIL Board Member Dean and his creation

Dean’s Sit Ski

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Ski Boots for Braces

Assistive Technology for Cross County Skiing

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To help people who have a limited ability to grip handles.

Adapted Cross Country Ski Poles

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Use of guides

Use of a pole

Adaptations for Skiers -Vision

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Gliding Stars adapted ice skates

Assistive Technology for Ice Skating

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Three models of walkers have been developed to aid stability and balance

Gliding Stars Ice Skating Walker

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Ice Skating Walkers In Use

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By Gliding Stars

Aid stability and balance

Ice Skating Harness

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Skaters

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More Skaters!

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Snowmobiling, Skiing and Ice Fishing

Gary J Colella, ATP, CEAC

AT for Winter Sports

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Offered in many major ski areas around the world.

Most snowmobiles only require small modifications to be used by people with physical challenges.

Adapted Snowmobile

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One of the most common adaptations made is a throttle lever extension

Throttle Lever

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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.

Snowmobile Modifications

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

Downhill Skiing

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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

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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.

Four Track: Tip Clamps

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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.

Four Track Skiing: Snow Slider

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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

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Suitable for 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

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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

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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

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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.

Bi-Ski, Continued

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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.

Vision and Skiing

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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.

Ice Fishing

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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.

Rod Holders

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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.

Electric Reels

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

Tip Ups

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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.

Wheelchair Sled

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

Boot Spikes

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

Cane Spikes

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

Seated Cart

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Carts can be modified to be pulled by scooters and wheelchairs

Tow Behind Cart

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

Contact

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Snug Seat and Snowboard Program Lead - Michigan

Adaptive Sports

Adaptive Snowboarding

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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.

What is Adaptive Snowboarding (ASB)?

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Visual Auditory Cognitive Neurological Structural and Anatomical Combination Source: American Association of Snowboard Instructors

(AASI) Adaptive Snowboard Guide

Six Common Categories in ASB

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Safety Have fun Learn something

new

3 Most important Points for ASB

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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

Safety

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Outriggers (single or double)

Ski Poles Bamboo Pole

Adaptive EquipmentStudent-Independent option

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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

Adaptive EquipmentInstructor-Assisted: Horse and Buggy

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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

Adaptive EquipmentInstructor Options: Sno-Wing

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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

Adaptive EquipmentMore Instructor Options

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Introduce Lesson and Develop Trust Assess Student and Their Movements Determine Goals and Plan Experiences Present and Share Information Guided Practice Check for Understanding Debrief the Learning Experience

AASI Teaching Cycle

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Student Introduction and Evaluation Introduction to Equipment Introduction to Environment Introduce Stance and Balance Walking, Skating and Climbing Basic Glide to a Natural Stop

AASI Snowboard - Learning Progression

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Directional ChangesChairlift RideTurns Across the Fall LineLinked Turns

Learning Progression, Continued

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Being safe, having fun and learning something new should be the goal of any lesson.

A good evaluation of student’s abilities and limitation is key for the instructor to select the best equipment/adaptation, terrain and progression for a successful lesson.

And most important...

Adapted Snowboarding: Conclusion

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Get outside and enjoy the snow!

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Phone: (800) 760-4600 Email: mdrc@mymdrc.org Web: www.mymdrc.org Twitter:

www.twitter.com/MiAssistTech Blog:

http://www.miassisttech.org/mdrcat/

How to Contact MATP

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“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” -John Ruskin

Final Thought