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.  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 Northwest’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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