Diversity: including people with disabilities in outdoor adventure programs.

Various societal groups, including people with disabilities, are often excluded from participating in recreation programs because of environmental barriers such as transportation, architecture, economics, and public attitudes. In order to overcome these barriers, recreation opportunities have historically consisted of segregated programs sponsored through advocate associations such as the National Association for Retarded Citizens or the National Wheelchair Association.

More recently, people with disabilities are becoming increasingly involved in integrated recreation programs. Many individuals are not interested in participating in programs designed for people with disabilities, but are interested in programs that include people both with and without disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides the legal basis for integration of recreation programs by ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities that are similar to the rest of the population.

With the increased interest in outdoor adventure activities, people with disabilities have also become more involved in programs that offer activities such as backpacking, canoeing, sea kayaking, rock climbing, or skiing. Many local and national organizations offer integrated outdoor adventure activities and can serve as models for developing exciting and effective programs.

One such organization is Wilderness Inquiry, a non-profit program based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Through a variety of international canoe, kayak and dogsled trips, Wilderness Inquiry uses the outdoors as a means of bringing people together. Each program includes a mixture of people with and without disabilities. A typical group might include people with mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments, as well as people without disabilities.

Each trip focuses on a particular activity in an exciting environment, such as kayaking through the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior or dog sledding in the Superior National Forest of Minnesota. Most participants are drawn to the organization because of the type of programs that it offers. After participating in an outing, participants usually find that they have gained a sense of accomplishment at having mastered a particular skill. They also gain a sense of cooperation from working together as a group to accomplish the trip goals.

Rather than finding weakness in what individual members cannot do, the group finds strength in their cooperation, trust and ability to maximize each member's abilities. This type of cooperation is seen as groups tackle the task of porterage, carrying their gear and boats overland to the next body of water. A person with a balance problem may team up with someone in a wheelchair.

Director Greg Lais explains, "The wheelchair provides a stable base of support for persons with balance problems, while they, in turn, provide an extra boost of physical power to get over the rough terrain." The trips are shared, cooperative adventures that combine the strength and positive energy of all group members. Throughout the trip, people without disabilities begin to see their fellow participants as individuals with strengths and abilities.

Community Programs

On the local level, many organizations are developing integrated programs for community residents with and without disabilities. Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR), one such organization in central Maine, provides opportunities for people with disabilities to learn a variety of recreational activities. In addition, MASR works with community recreation providers to teach them how to include people with disabilities in their programs. Each program began with an instructional clinic to introduce both disabled and non-disabled community members to a specific activity.

In one example, an integrated bowling league started after a group of individuals with disabilities learned how to bowl with adapted equipment at an MASR clinic. The clinic took place at a local bowling center, which, at the time, was not handicap accessible. Because of their experience with the clinic, the center owners became supportive of including persons with disabilities in their programs. They made their facility accessible and, together with the clinic participants, started up the integrated league.

MASR also sponsors outdoor adventure clinics. An adapted canoeing clinic is planned in conjunction with Unity College and the American Canoe Association. People with disabilities will take the clinic to learn the techniques of canoe and sea kayak paddling. After learning these skills, they will be able to paddle on their own with friends and family members. Canoe and kayak instructors from local paddling programs will also attend the clinic to learn the techniques of adapting equipment and teaching paddling to people with disabilities. The instructors will return to their respective organizations with the information and impetus to make their programs accessible to people with disabilities in their communities.

The Challenge

For organizations that offer outdoor adventure activities, integrating programs presents an exciting challenge and opportunity. These programs have great potential for success for two reasons. First, diverse groups allow participants to recognize each other as individuals and not as labels. Second, the outdoors is a natural setting for people to overcome stereotypes. Each individual is able to utilize his or her unique skills and abilities. People realize they have much in common, discomfort is reduced and friendships are formed. By providing programs for a broader spectrum of people, organizations will offer opportunities for individuals to begin to appreciate and value diversity, and in the end will serve participants more effectively.

For more information about integrated programs, contact:

Wilderness Inquiry, Inc.

1313 Fifth St. SE, Box 84

Minneapolis, MN 55414-1546

Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation

43 Acme Rd., Suite E

Brewer, ME 04412