Title

Adaptive Equipment for Wilderness Expeditions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2003

Abstract

While outdoor recreation activities and adventure sports are on the increase in American society, it is more important than ever that all individuals have knowledge of how they may access their surrounding natural areas. Recent literature has discussed how to make natural areas such as state and national parks accessible and in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (Lais & Passo, 2000; Sheldon, 1997). Many articles have described programs designed specifically for individuals with disabilities to gain access to the outdoors (Belson, 2001; Blyth, 1999; McAvoy & Estes, 2001; McAvoy & Lais, 2003). First person narrative reports have been published, such as Amanda Boxtel's expedition to Antarctica (2002) or the chronicle of Angela Madsen and Scott Brown's Catalina Crossing, a "32-mile rowing event from Marina Del Ray, California, to Catalina Island" (Madsen, 2003, p. 18). However, limited information has been provided relative to equipment individuals with disabilities may use to access the outdoors. The majority of the literature does not describe the tools necessary, but serves more as a narrative on programs and personal experiences. In this article, the authors describe equipment used by one organization, Wilderness Inquiry, that helps people with disabilities access wilderness settings.

Comments

Buswell, Deborah, Beth Erickson, and Mike Passo. "Adaptive equipment for wilderness expeditions." Palaestra Fall 2003, 19(4), 25-31.

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