Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Periodicals: Adaptive Sport and Recreation on Paper


Before the internet became one of the leading (and addicting) sources for real time news and information magazines and journals were where one would turn to see up to date news, pictures and information.  Many people still prefer holding a magazine and today there are some exceptional periodicals published which are focused on adaptive sport and recreation for individuals with both physical and intellectual disabilities.  What follows’ is my efforts to discover some of these periodicals

Adaptive Sport and Recreation focused:
  • Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly
  • PALAESTRA
  • Spirit Magazine
  • Sports ‘N Spokes
  • Challenge Magazine

Disability focused with adaptive sport and recreation articles:
  • PN: Paraplegia News
  • Autism Asperger’s Digest Magazine
  • Ability Magazine
  • Able Magazine

(Note: If I missed any periodical, which should have made the list please comment on this blog, and I will include it in an update.)

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly: The official journal of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity



Federation website: http://www.ifapa.biz/

Journal website: http://journals.humankinetics.com/apaq (basic information included)

Mission: The mission of this journal is stated on their website: The Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ) is an international, multidisciplinary journal, designed to stimulate and communicate scholarly inquiry related to physical activity, which includes sport. Disciplines from which scholarship may originate include corrective therapy, gerontology, health care, occupational therapy, pediatrics, physical education, dance, sport medicine, physical therapy, recreation, and rehabilitation. Among populations considered are at-risk infants and preschoolers, school-age children and young adults many of whom receive special education and/or related services, the aging, and the old. Physical activity implies fine, gross, functional, and interpretive movement, viewed from a biomechanical, developmental, learning, physiological, or psychosocial perspective. The focus of the adaptation may be upon equipment, activity, facilities, methodology and/or setting.
Focus of publication:
  • Geared towards students and scholars to discuss issues related to adaptive sport and recreation
  • Deals with both intellectual and physical disabilities

Publish rate: 4 times a year
Social Media sites are not available with this publication
Subscription:
  • One year $69
  • Student rates available
  • Published by Human Kinetics Journals
  • The journal can be mailed internationally
  • Article Abstracts can be read online.
  • Individual articles can be purchased for $25.
  • Journal can be read online once subscription is purchased
  • Back issues are available
  • To subscribe http://journals.humankinetics.com/apaq-subscription-rates


PALAESTRA: Forum of Sport, Physical Education& Recreation for Those with Disabilities


Website: Palaestra: http://www.palaestra.com/ (basic information included)

The mission of this journal: As a quarterly publication and premier resource on adapted physical activity, PALAESTRA's mission is:

  • to enlighten parents in all aspects of physical activity, making them the best advocates for their children during IEP (Individualized Educational Program) discussions with school or community recreation staffs;
  • to increase the knowledge base of professionals working with children or adults with disabilities, making them aware of the "can do" possibilities of their students/clients;
  • to show the value physical activity holds for adult readers' increased wellness.
  • PALAESTRA is published in cooperation with United States Paralympics (USP), a division of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC); the Adapted Physical Activity Council (APAC) of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD);and the Education Committee of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).

Focus:
  • Parents of children with disabilities
  • Educate professionals in the field
  • Motivate adult readers

Publish rate: 4 times a year

Includes classified ads for employment

Social Media sites are not available for this publication

Subscription :
  • One year (4 issues) $21.95
  • Student rate is $17 (4 issues)
  • International Shipping is $8.00 additional to Canada and $15 additional to all other countries
  • Current and Back issues can be read online for free (although the screen reader isn’t user friendly)
  • To order click here: http://www.palaestra.com/subscription.html


Spirit Magazine


Special Olympics main website: www.specialolympics.org


Mission: Spirit, a magazine published by Special Olympics, reflects the power of Special Olympics to build bridges between people with and without intellectual disabilities and spark personal insight, compassion and gratitude for life.

Focus:
  • Special Olympics Issues
  • Intellectual Disabilities

Publish rate: Exclusively online only

Social Media sites are available for this publication

Subscription:
Visit the website listed above to read online (although it isn’t updated)


Sports ‘N Spokes



Website: http://www.pvamagazines.com/sns/ (Very interactive Website!! Includes pictures, videos, social media links, and blog feed)

Paralyzed Veterans of America Website: www.pva.org

     Mission:  
  • SPORTS 'N SPOKES is a bimonthly publication produced by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. S'NS reports on competitive sports and recreation for wheelchair users.
  • Since 1975, S'NS has been a leader in wheelchair sports coverage and currently goes to more than 43 countries worldwide. Our readers come from all walks of life all having one thing in common: determination! 
  • SPORTS 'N SPOKES is committed to providing a voice for the wheelchair sporting and recreation community.


Focus
  • Adaptive Sport and Recreation for Wheelchair users
  • Non-Veterans are encouraged to read and contribute


Publish Rate: 6 times a year.

Social Media sites are available for this publication

Subscriptions:
  • $21 for a year (6 issues)
  • They will ship internationally for $27 to $63 annually
  • No Student rate
  • Main articles each month (including back issues) can be read online
  • Back issues are not available to order
  • To subscribe click here: http://www.pvamagazines.com/sns/store/subscribe/


Challenge Magazine

Disabled Sports USA website: www.dsusa.org (Very Interactive website including chapter contact info, social media links and more)


Mission: The mission of Disabled Sports USA is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs." 

Challenge Magazine is the chapter publication for this organization.  It is a great way to stay in touch with National Events and happenings.

Focus:
  • Disabled Sports USA Chapter News
  • Sport and Recreation for individuals with physical disabilities

Publish Rate: 4 times a year

Social Media sites are available for this publication

Subscriptions:
  • Free for any chapter or member of DSUSA. 
  • Challenge Magazine (including back issues) is available to read online at the website above
  • Email dsusa@dsusa.org to sign up for a subscription


The following are periodicals which focus on disability and frequently include adaptive sport and recreation articles: (definitely worth checking out)

PN: Paraplegia News


Mission: The Magazine for Wheelchair news and information to broaden your horizons and improve your life. Published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America Magazine.

Focus:
  • Individuals who use wheelchairs
  • Life style and quality of life.  Several sports/recreation articles monthly


Publish rate: 12 times a year

Social Media sites are NOT available for magazine

Subscription:


Autism Asperger's Digest Magazine


Website: http://www.autismdigest.com/ (basic information included)

Mission:
  • Positive Perspectives…Practical Strategies…Proactive Solutions!
  • In a nutshell, that sums up the Autism Asperger’s Digest.
  • Readers of our multiple award-winning magazine know that when they open a new issue of the AADigest they’re sure to find it brimming with practical, in-the-trenches tested strategies and information. Home ideas. School ideas. Teaching anywhere ideas. Ideas that can – and do! - make a difference, for the child or adult on the spectrum, and for you.
  • Since its debut in 1999, as the first national magazine published for the autism community, that’s been its trademark: real life information for meeting the real life challenges of ASD.


Focus:
  • Parent and caretakers of Individual on the Autism Spectrum
  • Quality of life.  Includes articles on sport and recreation


Social Media sites are not available for magazine

Publication rate:  6 times a year

Subscription:


Ability Magazine



Mission:  ABILITY Magazine is currently ranked 13th on the Top 50 Magazines in the World — and is the leading magazine covering Health, Disability and Human Potential. We are an award-winning publication, distributed by Time-Warner. For nearly 20 years, our mission has been to provide new insights into our individual levels of ability.

From Diabetes to Spinal Cord Injury and celebrity interviews to CEO profiles, ABILITY covers the latest on Health, Environmental Protection, Assistive Technology, Employment, Sports, Travel, Universal Design, Mental Health and much more. Our writers include MDs, PhDs, JDs, best-selling authors, U.S. Senators and advocates. Cover interviews consist of Movie and TV Celebrities, Sports Figures, Business Leaders, Presidents, First Ladies and more

Focus:
  • Lifestyle and quality of life for individuals with disabilities
  • Intellectual and physical disabilities covered


Publication rate: 6 times a year

Social Media sites are available for magazine

Subscription:
  • 6 issues for $29.70 in print
  • International subscribers need to add $20 annually
  • 6 issues for $19.70 digital
  • Main Articles of Ability Magazine are available to be read online including back issues
  • To subscribe click here: http://www.abilitymagazine.com/shop/subscription.html


Able Magazine

Website: http://ablemagazine.co.uk/ (basic info included)

Website section focused on sport: http://ablemagazine.co.uk/articles/sections/sport/

Tagline“Your favorite disability lifestyle magazine”

Social Media sites are available for magazine

Focus:
  • Individuals with both Intellectual and physical disabilities
  • United Kingdom based
  • Quality of life for individuals with disabilities


Publication Rate: 12 times a year (unconfirmed)

Subscription:
  • 15 British Pounds annually
  • Articles can be read online
  • Back issues cannot be ordered
  • International shipping for addition fee
  • To subscribe click here http://ablemagazine.co.uk/subscribe/


As stated if I have missed any noteworthy publication with a focused on adaptive sport and recreation for individuals with disabilities please comment or send me an email. 

Happy reading!

-RAM

Monday, July 18, 2011

Adaptive Road Cycling

Many people learn to ride a bike at a very young age and participate either recreationally or competitively.  Bicycles can be found in every country of the world and in many countries bicycles are a primary means of transportation.  For individuals with disabilities adaptive road cycling is a popular activity and is a great way to be social, get the blood pumping and feel the wind through your helmet.

Click here to see a video about the history and types of Para-Cycling

Youth Handcycle

Everyone should experience the thrill of riding a bike fast on the road.  Road cycling is a great activity to stay in shape as it is a great cardio vascular work out.  It can also be just the pace for a leisurely ride through the country side.  With the number of bicycle enthusiasts growing annually it is a great social activity that individuals, couples or the whole family can enjoy.  For individuals with disabilities adaptive road cycling is a very sought after pastime with many benefits.  Specialized road cycles have been designed and adaptations have been made to bicycles to accommodate every ability level. 

For information about adaptive cycling click on the links below:
·         Union Cycliste Internationale:  International Federation over seeing Para-Cycling for individuals with physical disabilities.  Great intro VIDEO about adaptive cycling on this link.
·         USA Cycling:  US governing body for adaptive road and mountain bike racing. 
·         US Paralympics: Cycling info for individuals with physical disabilities.  Includes information about the US Paralympic Team.
·         Special Olympics Cycling:  Cycling info guide for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

There are adaptive cycling programs around the United States  which will be happy to offer anyone an introductory lesson.   Click here to visit the Disabled Sports USA cycling resource page including equipment and programs.

Adaptive bicycles come in many shapes and sizes. Styles include:

Handcycles for individuals with lower extremity impairments

Tandems Bicycles for individuals with visual impairments, assistance with balance, or cognitive disabilities

Recumbent (laying down) Bicycles: for individuals with balance issues, amputations or strokes.

Tricycles: for individuals with balance issues or cognitive disabilities.

These are just a few examples of adaptive bicycles.  Several other bike styles can be seen by clicking here to be taken to Bike-On an adaptive bicycle retailer. 

Adaptive Road Cycling is a great opportunity to be active and attain a level of fitness or competition with in one’s ability level.   It is a great tool for rehabilitation and there are numerous city bike lanes and bike paths in the United States to safely ride on.  Grab your helmet and smile and get on an adaptive road bicycle today. 

Click here to see a video of mother and daughter on an adaptive bicycle
Click here to see a video of a handcycle competition

-RAM