Ypsilanti – Eastern Michigan University’s Adaptive Sports Club (ASC) recently held a “Try Adaptive Sports Clinic,” part of EMU’s Therapeutic Recreation Program, which provides activities for athletes with physical disabilities ages 16 and older. The club supports participants in sport, exercise and socializing in an accessible, inclusive environment.
Community members who attend the club can look forward to activities such as wheelchair and stand-up tennis, wheelchair basketball, and Paralympic soccer camps for veterans and the general public. These sports help people with disabilities enhance physical, social, emotional, and cognitive function through recreational and leisure activities.
“ASC is an urgent need in the EMU community,” said Kara Oliver, student president of the Eastern Adaptive Sports Club. “Adaptive movement makes it possible for people with disabilities to gain the physical activity they need to improve and maintain their health, while building relationships and creating memorable experiences.”
During the clinic, Oliver and Heather Silander, Assistant Professor of Therapeutic Recreation, coached students, faculty and staff on the importance of adaptive movement, how to engage in adaptive activities, and live demonstrations of the movements that participants can participate in. Some of these sports include:
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7-a-side football – adapted football for cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders: Participants with cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders participate based on body control and coordination while running. Participants were given a rating of C5 to C8, which refers to the nerves that control the arms and hands. Athletes with C5 have more limited physical function, while C8 represent athletes with the least limited physical function. At any time, at least one athlete from the C5 and only one C8 division is on the field. Also, this is a 40-minute game, not 90. Seven on Seven is very similar to Eleven on Eleven in terms of gameplay and rules, with a few exceptions. The game is more intense because there are fewer players, more ball flow and more goals.
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Futsal – Adaptive Football for Visually Impaired Athletes: Participating players also compete in 5-a-side football, also known as blind football, which is an adaptive football for visually impaired athletes. Outfield players are classified as totally blind (B1), meaning they have very low or no light perception, while goalkeepers can see. To ensure fair play, all outfield players are required to wear blindfolds. Participants can also get help from off-site guides. Team members yell “voy” to stay safe and announce their positions. It’s also important that the crowd stay silent until someone scores a goal. It’s also a 40-minute game, not 90.
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GoalBall – Soccer for Visually Impaired Athletes: Attendees played a game of Goalball, a silent sport in which three players (right/left and center) attempt to roll or “pitch” a ball with a bell Score in the opponent’s net. Opponents keep their hands and feet together and use their hand-ear coordination to block shots aimed at their net. Athletes play this sport with a ball that has an internal bell or buzzer.
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Sitting Volleyball – Volleyball designed for athletes with visual impairments: Sitting volleyball is also part of the experience. Sitting volleyball is very similar to standing volleyball, except that it is for people with or without lower body injuries. During the game, players can make contact with the volleyball up to 3 times, hitting the ball over the net. Players are allowed to block serves, but each time a player touches the volleyball, one “cheek” must touch the floor. The inability to stand is not a requirement for sitting volleyball. Some athletes are amputees or have lost muscle strength or joint flexibility.
“In the Therapeutic Recreation program, we have two long-term goals. One is to start a grassroots adaptive sports program in Ypsilanti, and the other is for people who want to try one of these sports or activities and learn how to play Students and staff provide a space,” Silander said.
To learn more about program needs and how to provide ASC with equipment and resources, visit the ASC donation page. For more information on EMU’s Therapeutic Recreation program, please visit the website.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern University is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing arts, science and professional undergraduate, graduate, associate, doctoral and certificate degrees. In total, more than 300 majors, minors, and professional programs are offered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering Technology; Health and Human Services; and its Graduate School. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity and commitment to applied education. Visit the university’s ranking and honor points website to learn more. For more information on Eastern Michigan University, visit the university’s website. To stay up to date with University news, events and announcements, visit EMU Today.
