Mobility

Different types of wheelchairs include manual, power, sport, and beach wheelchairs. A standing wheelchair is one that supports the individual in a nearly standing position. They can use a hydraulic pump to go from sitting to standing. Other types of mobility devices are modified straight canes and walkers. Modified canes include T-bar handled canes with slightly rounded tips or those with wheels. Modified walker devices are ususally made from PVC and are rectangular shaped. Some have rollers or wheels attached to the base, and others have sled runners which glide easily along the ground. Functions in this category include crawling, walking, using stairs, lateral and vertical transfers, and navigating in the environment. Wheelchairs, special lifts, canes, walkers, specially adapted tricycles, and crutches can be used to support these functions. Specialists, such as those who provide mobility training for children who are blind, may be called upon to provide services associated with this category.

Gait trainers are another mobility device designed for individuals who have severe levels of spasticity and/or ataxia and can bear weight on limbs, but lack control of their upper extremeties. This apparatus helps align asymmetrical gait patterns.

[|__http://www.k94life.org/__] Canine Partners for Life trains dogs to help people with various disabilities function independently.

There is also adjustable height furniture such as motor controlled adjustable height tables and chairs, which can decrease the stress and strain that can be caused from traditional chairs. Providing these in places such as computer labs and libraries can ensure that students with physical impairments can take advantage of the resources available to them.

Here is a great website that provides information to travelers with disabilties, including access guides for cities, resorts, and other attractions. http://access-able.com/graphical_index.html

with single and multiple switches.
 * Movement** can be experienced with motorized mobility items such as powered wheelchairs and motorized cars (Jeeps, Big Foot cars) that are driven


 * Play & Exploration** are expanded through using switches to independently participate in games and other recreation activities. Battery-operated toys or games such as Light Brite and Spin Art can be easily adapted for switch use.

[|__http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CoverageGenInfo/Downloads/wheelchairreg2.pdf__] This link explains the laws that Medicaid and Medicare put into place about funding mobility devices.


 * MOVE** (Mobility Opportunities Via Education)® helps children and **MOVE** (Mobility Opportunities Via Experience)® helps adults with disabilities:

1. Increase or aquire independence in sitting, standing and walking, 2. Achieve more mobility, and 3. Feel better health wise and enhanced personal self-esteem.
 * MOVE** has its own curriculum and is used in over 25 countries throughout the world.

[|__http://www.boundlessplaygrounds.org/__] this is an awesome site! They build playgrounds that are accessible for all children with all ability levels. There is one located in Wilmington Delaware. Alapocas Run State Park Carruthers Lane Wilmington, DE

The Center for Universal Design creates a manual for wood ramp designs. The contact information to receive the step-by-step manual is: http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud


 * This is the “Can Do Playground” already posted above! The picture you put in is just different exemplars of boundless playgrounds. If you read the text that you posted below you will see that your talking about the same playground that I had posted on Tuesday, 7/ 17.**

Check out this playgroud/website located right in Wilmington, DE! http://www.candoplayground.org/

"Reaching and mobility aids for independent living include: reaching aids that push, pull, grasp, and turn; walking aids such as canes (consider.....height, weight, handle, base); clothing and footware (do not restrict movement, shoes that have good grip or ability for removable cleats for snow or ice); walkers; or grap bars. Delaware is about to enjoy a new Small Wonder that will open on July 11, 2007 in the new Alapocas Run Park just north of Wilmington. It is the Can-Do Playground, the first public playground of its kind in Delaware, conceived and developed by six Wilmington-area Rotary clubs. Rotarians throughout the world are dedicated to building strong communities. This spirit of service motivated the clubs to work together to celebrate Rotary International’s 100th anniversary in 2005 by answering a real need.

There are 8,000 children with disabilities in Delaware and, until now, there has not been a public facility in our state where they could play with their families and friends, creatively and without limitation. The new Can-Do Playground is a “Boundless™ Playground”. It has been specifically designed in consultation with the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds®, the Connecticut-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities create extraordinary barrier-free playgrounds where children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential skills for life as they learn together through interactive play."

This article was published in a local paper regarding the new playground in Wilmington. http://www.candoplayground.org/nj_getinvolved.jpg

__[|The Mobi-Changer]__ is a transportable changing table that reduces the risk of back injury for those working with individuals with physical limitations that require changing. This appears to be somewhat similar to those that were equipped in the bathrooms at the Leach school. Very good idea.

[|__http://www.helpinghandsmonkeys.org/index.html__] this is a site that talks about people with disabilities using monkeys as service animals. I had never heard of this until now and believe everyone should take a look!