In terms of whats news in the world of the disabled community and Arizona, it does not get much bigger than the opening of the Virginia G Piper Sports & Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit).

The SpoFit is one of two centers in the U.S. that is specifically designed for people with disabilities.  It features two full-size basketball courts, an indoor suspended jogging track, climbing wall, fitness center and three pools.  The center is designed for the public to enjoy and also to serve as a venue for national and international sporting events.  In December, the center will be hosting it’s first Wounded Warrior event for newly disabled veterans.

The center will be home to the Phoenix Heat wheelchair rugby team, who’s roster includes numerous gold-medal Paralympians, and the Banner Phoenix Suns and Mercury wheelchair basketball teams (www.bannerwheelchairsuns.org). The basketball courts have a both 10′ and 8′ hoops to allow youths to play more competitive basketball.

One of the main attractions for competitive sports is the venue’s lockers, bathrooms and team equipment facilities.  Every space is designed to accommodate many athletes in wheelchairs at one time.  The showers are all accessible.  Not just a few, all of them.  As is the locker area and spectator seating.  For team sports, the venue has a basement that will be quartered off to allow teams to lock up their sports chairs and equipment.

Amber Blanchard is the manager of the SpoFit.  She was most recently the therapeutic recreation program coordinator at The Bend Park and Recreation District in Bend, Oregon, and program director/ board member at Oregon Adaptive Sports.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Arkansas. She is a current member of the National Recreation and Parks Association (N.R.P.A.) and National Therapeutic Recreation Society (N.T.R.S), Arizona Therapeutic Recreation Association (ASTRA), and has been Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Recreation for over a decade.

Fitness Manager, Gabe Gerbic tries out the 35' indoor rock wall.

The fitness center is on the second floor.  The center has two elevators.  The spacious work-out center includes an all-accessible line of Cybex weight-training and aerobic equipment. Gabe Gerbic is the fitness manager.  He has a B.S. in Exercise Science/Exercise Physiology and a Masters in Physical Education with an emphasis in exercise physiology.

The SpoFit opened for business in late October,  The grand opening ceremony will be in February, 2012.  The 3-day event will feature key-note speaker, Anthony Robles, the Arizona State University alumni who in spite of being an amputee became the NCAA wrestling champion at 125lbs.

The center is open 6 days a week.  Adults pay $35/month or $5.00/visit. Scholarships are available.  Visit the center at www.disabilitysportcenter.org.

 [Ed note: author is affiliated with ABIL and the SpoFit]

The Virginia G Piper Sports & Fitness Center is Open is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

June 3rd, 2011

Day at the Lake has been happening each year at Bartlett Lake since about the Roosevelt presidency – well almost.

This year offered something very unusual as the temperatures below 100 degrees. Thats not too bad considering some years have bumped 111 degrees.

The 2-day event gives people with disabilities the opportunity to experience water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, kayaking, and boat rides.

As always, the pros at Barrow’s Institute’s Barrow Connection, know how to throw a good party and there’s always plenty to do along with a nice setting for everyone to sit around and enjoy Arizona’s desert beauty.   Brian Church operates the marina at Bartlett Lake. Its tough to beat the accessibility he’s included around the lake.

Here’s just a few photos shots by AA.  Marc A also posted his collection here.

2011-06_Day at the Lake – Images by Loren Worthington

Another Great Day at the Lake is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

Dana Mathewson, photo: Jim Vigileos

Congratulations  go to Dana Mathewson, Kaitlyn Verfuerth, and Coach Bryan Barten.  The Two University of Arizona athletes and their coach will represent the nation during the 2011 World Team Cup in Pretoria, South Africa, April 25 through May 1.

Over  200 players from more than 30 nations are expected to participate in the event. The World Team Cup is the second-largest sports competition in the world, after the Olympics. The three were selected by the USA National Coaching staff will compete in teams against other countries around the world.

For more information about the extensive programs available to people with disabilities at the University of Arizona, visit http://drc.arizona.edu.

University of Arizona Sends Three to Tennis World Cup in South Africa is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

Roper Lake State Park is located in eastern Arizona.  It’s on the south side of the town of Safford, Arizona. Its a small lake and the park isn’t much bigger.   The location isn’t on any main highways so it’s not likely to be crowded anytime of the year.

The overall wheelchair access is good.  The terrain is pretty flat to begin with, and the park’s people have done a solid job making it accessible.  The first thing to like is the little cabins you can rent.  Of the 10+ cabins, three are right on the shoreline, and one of them is the Bass Cabin, which is their accessible cabin.

Just like the accessible cabin at Dead Horse State Park Lake, these are just a place to sleep for 4 people. We didn’t get to go in, but I’m sure they are similar.  The front deck of the Bass Cabin has a porch swing and a barbecue. It has a nice flat deck for hosting a herd of chair users.

The lake has some 70 RV/camp sites.  Many have water and electric hookups.  We stayed at the one site they designate as ADA parking.  I think most offer about the same functionality, but it is the closest spot to the very nice common bathroom and showers.  The bathrooms get high access marks. This spot doesn’t have the great view the cabin has, but it’s better than most.

There’s a road and a path that goes around the lake.  it’s great for taking a walk/roll.  The lake has an accessible dock that has good access.  There’s also a beach you can roll down to rather easily.  We launched the kayak here, and played whiffle ball.  The lake has a few section of trail that has pebbles too deep for most chairs to roll through.  I’d get stuck and need a lil’ push but in most cases you can find an alternate route.

A really nice feature at Roper Lake is the natural hot spring.  They’ve create a sitting pool out of rock for people to sit and relax in the warm water.  The tub isnt too accessible, but you can roll right up to it.

Roper Lake is a bird paradise.  We woke each morning to cardinals and quails.  There is water fowl always flying in and out of the protected waters.

Black Hills Back Country Byway
One afternoon we took a day trip over to the Black Hills Back Country Byway  This is a 21-mile scenic drive through the northern end of the Peloncillo Mountains.  This is a dirt road, but weather permitting, almost any car could cruise this road in 2-3 hours.  Bring a lunch because the Canyon Overlook Picnic Area (midway along the byway, about 10 miles in from either entrance), has great accessibility with an amazing view.

Near the northern end of the byway is the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area along the Gila River.  This has a great old concrete bridge and good wheelchair access to a small portion of the Gila River below.   If you have 4 wheeldrive, there’s numerous trails leading off to the Gila River and spectacular overlooks of the Gila River canyon.

Roper Lake State Park is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

Friday, March 4, 2011 @ 8pm

Having two left feet means nothing to the some people.  Prepare to leave all your preconceptions at the door as the AXIS Dance Company, one of the worlds most acclaimed and innovative ensembles of performers with and without disabilities will change the way you think about dance and the possibilities of the human body forever. Founded in 1987, AXIS has become a jewel of contemporary dance and disability culture and has paved the way for physically integrated dance form.

Watch Your Toes . . . . Wheelchair Dancing Comes to Chandler is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

Getting out and exploring Arizona is the main focus of Accessing Arizona.  How you get there is always part of the fun, or challenge depending on how you perceive such an effort.  So when we here at Accessing Arizona  came across  some mentions that there’s someone in Arizona with an adapted side-by-side ATV, we naturally tracked him down.

Matt Peters is a long time quad who runs a company in Chandler that produces wheels and accessories for wheelchairs. And in his spare time  he has been modifying a Polaris RZR for use with hand-controls.  He is planning to refine his prototypes and the sell a kit others could install.  Somebody obviously needs to test something like this, and who better than the crack staff here at AA.

So not only does Matt have good technical ideas, he’s obviously got a creative eye.  The Rzr has been decked out with a great Arizona flag scheme.   Perfect for sporting an Accessing Arizona decal.

The Rzr is a two-seater.   Matt has added an after-market electrical power steering module to allow anyone with limited arm and upper-body function to better control the steering.  For gas and brake, he’s added a standard set of hand-controls used on cars. To better access, the steering wheel can tilt up.  To better improve stability, he’s added an armrest between the seats, and the hardened half doors with arm rests.

Getting in the driver’s seat isn’t the easiest.  It’s a small door space and required some assistance.  But with practice, everything gets easier. The nice thing about the Rzr is that the seat height is just about at wheelchair level.

OK, so once you are in, and strapped in, its go time.  Matt’s controls work good.   The automatic transmission is easy to shift and the accelerator is responsive.  Developing a feel for the Rzr is rapid, and the suspension is great for maintaining control and riding in comfort.  Bumpy rides aren’t my thing.

The four of us poked around the Rio Verde area for a few hours.  This is Tonto National Forest land along the Verde River below Bartlett Lake.  It’s a great place for riding and in fact Matt is considering moving nearby and setting up a program to allow others to ride.

The Rzr and all ATV’s to some extent offer persons with disabilities a good option for exploring the outdoors.  They aren’t cheap (somewhere near $10,000) to buy, and will likely need another $3,000 to adapt.  Plus the helmet, trailer and chrome goodies of course.

One of the benefits that comes from exploring the outdoors is meeting other like-minded people. Matt, like most outdoor recreational enthusiast are very sharing of their ideas and jump at the chance to meet up and have some fun.  Lets hope his idea of starting an ATV-ranch for all of us to visit and romp about the desert comes together.  Until then we’re happy to beta-test all his innovations.

Matt is promising www.Petesrzr.com will be up and running soon.  If all else fails, find him at arwingroup [at] byarwin [dot]com.

Accessing Arizona with an Accessible ATV is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

Nope not Christmas, it’s the Awesome Weather in Arizona Season, and that’s always marked by a great event, The All-Access – Phoenix Summit Challenge. (City of Phoenix Event Details)

The Phoenix Summit Challenge (see 2008 event coverage) is a non-competitive hiking event that embraces various ages, abilities, and fitness levels to challenge an individual’s mind and body while enhancing the quality of life and promoting healthy outdoor recreation. We challenge participants and families on barrier-free and summit trails in the mountain preserves and parks of Phoenix.

All-Access-Paved Hike four wheelchair/stroller friendly trails of the Phoenix Parks!
One Day, 4.5 miles, 10 hours
~Papago Park (Accessing Arizona Review)
~South Mountain (Review)
~Rio Salado (Review)
~North Mountain

This course will allow participants to personally challenge themselves by going longer distances and hiking Shaw Butte, the final summit of the challenge.  Shaw Butte is an uneven, unpaved trail that may require the use of specialized equipment which we will provide.
One Day

Registration Fees:
$22 for Adults &  $12 for youth (17 years and under)
Fee includes a t-shirt, celebration dinner at the Phoenix Zoo on Sunday, November 7th (5-8pm)
and free admission to Zoo Lights.  This is a family friendly event and a great way for families to get out and spend time together.

T’is The Season is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

The United States is set to play five games, opening Tuesday, September 21, against the eighth-ranked German team and continuing on to face Great Britain (9), Finland (11), Sweden (6) and Canada (3). Assuming that the heavily-favored United States makes it out of group play competition, it will go on to play in the semifinals and possibly the gold medal game on September 26.

The team competing in these world championships is not the same team that came away victorious at the Beijing Games. Of the 12 players competing at worlds, seven were on the roster in 2008. Team USA veterans Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.), Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.) and Scott Hogsett (Tempe, Ariz.) make up the team’s nucleus and newcomers Chuck Aoki (Minneapolis, Minn. and UoA, Tucson) and Derrick Helton (Tuscumbia, Mo.) are poised to make an impact for Team USA in the upcoming tournament.

Fans can watch games live and see the full competition schedule at http://www.sportscanada.

US Wins 2010 Wheelchair Rugby Nationals in Vancouver is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

The 2010 Arizona Disabilities Expo happens on Saturday October 2nd at the G Hall of the Phoenix Convention.

The afternoon event will feature manufacturers of  adaptive handicapped accessible vans, cars, trucks and motorcycles.   Other vendors include durable medical goods providers, and organizations that assist people with various disabilities.

Disabled Expo Promotes Active Lifestyles for People with Disabilities is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.

The original post for Rim Lakes Vista Trail # 622 is below. I recently revisited the trail and was reminded that this is likely the best wheelchair trail in Arizona. I love the Cape Royal Trail on the north rim of the Grand Canyon for its amazing view and a few others, but Rim Lakes Vista #622 is over a half mile of nothing but amazing views. The majority of it is well designed and offers numerous places to get your chair right on the edge.

Here’s a few photos to make my case;

There's a few small parking lots. I suggest going to the last one (very west) and look for this sign.

The trail head immediately takes you to the edge of the Mogollon Rim

Basically the trail is one long photo opportunity.

This is about how much I trust my wheelchair isnt going to malfunction. It's 500'-1,000' sheer drop.

ORIGINAL POST (JUNE 2007)

Its June and 107 degrees in Phoenix, so I headed 2 hours northeast thru Payson to the Mogollon Rim. Ahhhhhhhhhh, now its 79 degrees.

Once on top of the rim, look for the Woods Canyon Lake turn off. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the huge cliff on the left is the Mogollon Rim. It’s one helluva view.

The first parking area you come to is the Military Sinkhole Vista. You start here or the 2nd turn off which is Woods Canyon Vista.

The trail is asphalt and maybe 40″ wide. It’s 3.5 miles long and follows the contours of the cliff so some places are pretty steep. Too steep for me to push solo, especially at 7,500 elevation. I’m huffing and puffing. Gloves are a must as you dont want your braking to fail when your 4′ from the ledge. Paras and power wheelchair users would find the ride very enjoyable.

Woods Canyon Lake is 2 miles away and is pretty accessible itself. We ran out of time, but soon I want explore the Meadow Trail #505 which goes from the Woods Canyon parking lot approximately 1.8 miles to the lake.

I give this trail my highest rating. The view is 2nd to none.

Annie and me at the Vista Trail atop the Mogollon Rim, just north of Payson. The view is spectacular.

Rim Lakes Vista Trail # 622 is a post from: Wheelchair Arizona eMag Accessing Arizona.