Action Preserves Cycling Program for People with Disabilities

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Submission Date: June 2018

State/Territory Submitted on the Behalf of: Oregon

States/Territories Involved: Oregon

Funding Source: CDC

CDC Funding:

Yes

CDC Funding (Specified):

Other CDC Funding

Other Federal Funding:

CDC(non CSTLTS)

Domain Addressed:

Environmental Approaches

Public Health Issue:

  • Making recreational activities accessible and inclusive to those with disabilities means removing barriers so that more people have an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits of exercise.
  • Handcycling is a fun exercise and a feasible option for riders who live with mobility impairment. Yet, inherent barriers can make handcycling less than universally inclusive. Ā For example, handcycles are expensive and can be difficult to transfer in and out of vehicles. Safe places to ride are also not readily available.
  • An established handcycle program in Portland, Oregon experienced a budget shortfall that put the program at risk.

Program Action:

  • Adaptive Sports Northwestā€™s (ASNW) popular Portland Summer Handcycling Series program eliminates barriers by offering 12 weeks of free handcycling in a safe location. Their skilled volunteers facilitate bike transfers for the many people with severe mobility impairment served by the program.
  • The Oregon Office on Disability and Health provided technical assistance to the Oregon Public Health Institute Health and Outdoors Initiative staff. As a result, the Institute granted funding for the first time to a disability agency, ASNW, providing $10,000 to maintain their Summer Handcycling Series program.

Impact/Accomplishments:

  • The Summer Handcycling Series program served 100 people with disabilities, providing more than 240 hours of riding recreation.
  • Almost all of the participating riders surveyed said they felt better after their ride than before.
  • ASNW continues adding bikes as it enters its 13th program year.

Program Areas:

Health Equity and Cultural Competency, Healthy Communities (general), Social Determinants of Health

State Contact Information:

OR
West Livaudais
Oregon Office on Disability and Health
503-494-4858
livaudai@ohsu.edu

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