“ARISE” to the Challenge with Adapted Recreation
Authors: Gaskins David A. , Edwards Terri L. 
Published: March 2019

While the past decade has generally witnessed an astounding growth and considerable progress in recreational sports facilities and programming, specific-related services and attention provided for people with disabilities remains very limited at most institutions. People with disabilities represent a valuable segment of the clientele. The Adapted Recreation and Intramural Sport Enrichment (ARISE) program specifically addresses this issue by extending beyond the letter of legal requirements and translating into a proactive effort. The program's main goals are to enhance awareness of recreational opportunities; provide training in physical fitness; facilitate social, mental, and emotional development; and improve the self-image for individuals with physical and sensory disabilities, while also providing practicum and research experiences for students.

A diversified menu of recreational options encompassing multiple program areas are available to the ARISE participant. Fitness offerings include aerobic classes, weight lifting workshops, and a weight room equipped with a wheelchair accessible station and arm ergometer. Instructional programs consist of workshops and classes for an assortment of sports and activities, such as swimming, tennis, racquetball, volleyball, and hand-crank cycling. The Adventure program features specialized workshops for outdoor-oriented activities, such as sessions on the indoor climbing wall, kayaking, canoeing, camping, and skiing.

The Partners in Education, Recreation, and Leisure (PERL) program pairs a disabled participant with an appropriately matched partner who facilitates his/her involvement in a chosen recreational or exercise activity on a regular basis. Other programs offered by ARISE include Wheelchair Basketball and the WheelPower Dance Troupe.

The administrative commitment to ARISE involves philosophical, procedural, and physical resource aspects. The program is under the direction and supervision of one of the department's Assistant Directors and is administered on a day-to-day basis by a Program Assistant paid by stipend for approximately 15 hours per week. Equipment has been procured creatively and inexpensively through donations, purchase of demonstration models, splitting of costs with other department areas, and cooperative arrangements with academic units and community organizations. ARISE activities are primarily housed in the Student Recreation Center that is fully accessible and has integrated specific features to maximize utilization. Promotion and marketing is accomplished through many traditional methods but also employs more specialized and personalized approaches to identify potential participants and publicize offerings.

Cooperation and shared efforts have probably been the most pivotal factors in the continued growth and prosperity of the program. Agreements known as “collaborative partnerships” have been developed that allow cooperating agencies to refer community members to ARISE in exchange for consultation with expert personnel and other means of assistance. Due to the tremendous spirit of teamwork, the program has joined with community organizations and service providers to sponsor several all day workshops including a Water Ski clinic, Adapted Sports Day, Indoor Kayaking, and Cultural Arts. All programs are targeted for individuals with disabilities but also encourage inclusion of the able-bodied as well.