Monday, April 06, 2009

More than 150 North Carolinians with disabilities and their supporters will participate in a variety of recreational activities during the eighth annual Accessible Recreation Day (ARD) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 17 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Recreation Center. The event is free and open to the public.

ARD is one of a few accessible recreation programs of its type in the nation and the only one of this size in North Carolina offering a broad range of recreational activities for physically and mentally challenged individuals of all ages.

More than 15 percent of New Hanover County has a disability, a percentage high for an area of its size. Paralysis and amputation can make it challenging to exercise or play sports. ARD will give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to try nearly 25 activities using equipment adapted for physical or sensory limitations.

More than 60 volunteers, including UNC Wilmington recreational therapy students and faculty, and accessibility trainers from around the country will guide participants through wall climbing, aikido, seated yoga, amputee golf and tennis, and other activities. Power soccer, a new activity, will be facilitated by students from Hoggard High School. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at the UNCW Student Recreation Center.

Dan Johnson, UNCW Health and Applied Human Sciences (HAHS) associate professor of recreation therapy, said, "We want to empower people to live life to the fullest, to not be defined or limited by their disabilities."

The event is organized by the Coastal Carolina Partnership for Accessible Recreation (CCPAR), a group advocating recreation opportunities for all citizens with disabilities in the Coastal Carolina area. Members include UNCW, New Hanover Regional Medical Center Coastal Rehabilitation Hospital, N.C. Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Independent Living Services, Wilmington Family YMCA and Wilmington Disabled Athletic Association.

ADR will also mark the launch of Accessible Golf of Wilmington, a program offering free golf instruction courses and golfing opportunities for local individuals with physical impairments.

Media are invited to interview participants and capture numerous visual opportunities.

Media Contacts:

Joy Davis, Marketing and Communications, 910.962.3616 or davisjc@uncw.edu

Full Schedule:

9:30 a.m.

Wheelchair Basketball until 1 p.m.

Golf (driving range between track and baseball field) until 3 p.m.

Bocce Ball until 3 p.m.

Disc Golf until 3 p.m.

Table Tennis until 3 p.m.

Handcyling until 3 p.m.

Assistive Technology until 3 p.m.

10 a.m.

Power Soccer until 11 a.m.

Kite Flying until noon

Wheelchair Tennis until 1 p.m.

Climbing Wall until 3 p.m.

Therapeutic Riding until 3 p.m.

Chair Aerobics until 10:45 a.m.

Gardening with the Ability Garden until noon

11 a.m.

Seated Yoga, until 11:30 a.m.

Beach Games until 2 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Tai Chi

12:15 - 3 p.m.

Wii Games and Guitar Hero

1 p.m.

Therapy Dogs until 3 p.m.

African Movement until 2:30 p.m.

1:45 - 2:30 p.m.

Aikido

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Wheelchair Basketball with the Port City Spokesmen, two time National Wheelchair Basketball Champions