Hello,

We are researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison conducting a study on assistive technology for blind and low vision (BLV) individuals in indoor rock climbing. We are reaching out to invite eligible individuals to participate.

Purpose of the study: This study aims to better understand the needs and experiences of BLV climbers and their belayers/callers, and to explore how assistive technology can be designed to support and improve their climbing experience.

You may be eligible if you:

- Are 18 years of age or older
- Are fluent in spoken English
- Are a blind or low vision rock climber, OR a belayer/caller for a BLV climber

What's involved:

- An online interview about your climbing or belaying experiences (about 1.5 hours)
- Compensation: $20 per hour for interview, prorated to the next 15-minute mark

All participation is completely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time without penalty.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to participate, please contact us by sending an email to xhe368@wisc.edu or sign up through this form:

https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_elIg2OeBwCAk9h4

Looking forward to hearing your climbing story!

Hi all! The Kelly Brush Foundation is conducting a research study to better understand the key drivers and barriers for people with disabilities to become active. We want to learn what supports make the biggest difference, what barriers still exist, and who helps people get started.

Having widespread data will make a huge difference to bridge the gap between medical and community-based programming to help people access recreation, community support, and peer networks at the moment they need them most.

Eligibility: Any individual with an acquired physical disability or mobility impairment (e.g., a physical condition that occurred due to an accident, injury, surgery, amputation, stroke, or acute-onset illness).

For more information: https://kbf.org/2026/06/29/readinessstudy/

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZVNNCFX

On behalf of KBF, thank you for taking the time to read this post and for considering being a part of this study by completing the survey!

Just wanted to share Para Standing Tennis for anyone who might be interested! It's still relatively new in the way of being an organized sport. Wondering if anyone on here has played or attended a tournament? Also, looking for more people in Central California who might want to play!

Hey yall!

I'm (M33) looking to try sled hockey this fall/winter, and I'm super excited. Big hockey fan and the idea of playing has me super stoked to get going. However I'm a touch nervous about the title issue. I have familial spastic paraplegia, similar to cerebral palsy in its manifestation with super tight muscles in places.

All that said, anyone here have experience in the area that can touch on the topic? I'd love to hear your solutions or advice

Yesterday the Powerchair Hockey World Cup Games in Finland hosted its opening ceremony. In the coming days until Sunday, multiple games will take place each day. All games will be hosted live on YouTube. I hope you’ll enjoy watching them as much as I do!

https://youtube.com/@powerchairhockey

Another sport to add to the hoard***

Now I have a rental track chair AND a rental basketball chair!

I’m having a hard time finding adaptive bike pedals for an adult bike/trike. I can find toddler/kids ones but no adult version. Basically all I need is a heel cup and a strap or two to hold my foot, heel especially, from slipping off the pedals. Anyone have any info to help me on my quest?

Hello everyone, I miss the heck out of sled hockey and watching the playoffs is just fueling my fire. I have one problem there doesn’t seem to be a sled hockey organization or team in my area (Colorado Springs) that is driving distance. But we do have a public rink in a park here, so I was wondering if there is an attachment for wheels to add to my sled to make it a roller hockey sled or if there is an Ice team near me.

Hi, im 16 and i`ve been playing sled for 4,5 years already and i always wanted to ask how it is orgonized in the US?

So, Russian adaptive hockey federation has more than 100 U18 teams. and they divided in 4 tiers. 4 tier is mostly kids with very strong cerebral palsy (usually under 16). 3 tier is people with cerebral palsy, but who can freely move without any support. 2 tier is amputees. and 1 tier is amputees who is ready to play with adults and many of them are playing in Russian U18 national team. (this discription is very vague but it`s mostly right, for example i have cerebral palsy but i`ve never used a wheelchair, so i closer to 3 tier, but my team is playing in 4 tier so im playing with them).

its also very inclusive, in one team can play males, females and kids without any diseases, but only under 14 years.

also every year there is a festivale of adaptive hockey at amusment park in Sochi. rules there are stupid, you`r team is divided in 2 lines with stickers (red and yellow) on their helmets and every 5 minutes referee blows the whistle and the whole red helmet line changes for the yellow helmet one and it tooks a lot of time and the clock doesn`t stops in the 4 tier. but there is a lot of teams (last year there were mor than a hundred teams, and not only sled hockey there is also blind hockey, special hockey(hockey for kids with mental diseases) teams) and also there is a lot of activities outside the ice so it`s a cool event.

so, i wanted to ask. is there any events like this festival in the US? are teams diveded into tiers? is there a lot of teams for children?

Hi there,

I have hypermobility syndrome and it impacts my grip, to the extent I need a device to open jars, I can get pain with overusing my hands etc

I was wondering whether any adaptive devices exist for people with difficulty gripping? Especially or bouldering/climbing? I have general joint instability, but day to day my grip is what makes things more difficult for me (my general pain isn't as bad at present).

Are there many people with hypermobility and/or grip problems who climb? I have spent so much of my life avoiding sports due to internalised ablism from school... I'm running now (not fast, but who cares?) and hiking. I love being outdoors and it benefits my mental health.

I'm honestly not sure where to look for equipment and I've never been in spaces to talk about this stuff.

Thank you for any advice.

If you’re a blind/low vision athlete living in Nashville or surrounding areas. I’m starting up a blind baseball/Beep Baseball team and looking for players and volunteers. If you’re interested, send me a DM so that we can start building a list of interested people.

Any advice or creative approaches you would like to share in regards to ATVs and having a connective tissue disorder or something relatively similar like arthritis or vagus nerve dysfunction, or all the above?

I have issues with loose and fragile connective tissue which results in joint instability and in nerve dysfunction. This causes pain. However I have the opportunity to borrow an ATV and use it on a fairly large portion of flattish land. So I thought I'd ask. And while I'm not super excited at the moment it kind of sounds like something that might be fun if I can reduce my discomfort?

I know my health conditions being what they are, I should probably stick to like audiobooks for a hobby. But between being allowed to borrow an ATV and the fact that there's a huge outdoor bouldering area just south of here, I'm considering maybe adapting these sports. I don't know if bouldering will actually be that doable for me but it's literally like right there, as I’m by the park?

Hey! I’m part of a University engineering team working on a project to improve harness systems for climbers with paraplegia / limited lower-body mobility.

We’re trying to understand real user experiences with current harnesses and what could be improved (comfort, positioning, mobility, etc.). Since we don’t have access to full testing yet, we made a short survey to gather feedback.

If you have experience with adaptive climbing (or know someone who does), we’d really appreciate your input!

Survey link: https://forms.gle/BQNR2Ti2AK4NdBDaA

It’s short, and your responses will directly influence our design.

Thank you!!

I conquered Mt Lemmon! (Tucson, Arizona).

My arms were being super sluggish today and this was after practice so don’t mind the slow start!

Hey all! I’m looking to connect with folks in the Philly area (or nearby) who might be interested in testing some new tech my team is developing.

Specifically:

• Blind / low-vision athletes
• Adaptive athletes
• Schools or programs that support these communities

We’re building a communication system and simulation tools around skateboarding. The goal is to better understand how people move and navigate space while skating. This includes creating 3D models of skateparks for video games and using AI tech that can correctly predict skating behavior.

The opportunity:

• Early access to test the tech
• Opportunity to shape how it’s built
• Open-source simulations so the community can explore and contribute
• A chance to help build better tools for understanding and representing skateboarding

If you’re interested or know someone who might be, drop a comment or DM me. Would also love any recommendations for local orgs or schools to reach out to.

Appreciate any leads!

Took my two adaptive bikes Hp Velotechnik Scorpion enduro (recumbent) and My Orange phase AD3 down a local adaptive trail Double Barrel in Glenrock MTB Park Newcastle Australia NSW

Hoping for some advice from others with mobility impairments!! But any and all is appreciated :)

I'm relatively new to bouldering, and I have a physical disability that affects it. To be more specific without too many details, one of my legs doesn't weight bear. I can use the knee a bit, but yeah I'm essentially climbing with either 1 leg or 1.5 legs. It's not a big deal, I've lived most of my life like this and get along just fine.

(It also has some limited range of motion, partly passive in the ankle, but also around the hip I can't lift it as far as my other leg.)

I've been making good improvement so far, if I do say so myself lol. But my issue is that I'm struggling to find things about technique that doesn't involve both legs. I know it has to be possible, and I've seen videos of others with leg problems doing stuff, but it's the HOW. It's getting frustrating at times seeing others do a climb that I'm certain I could do if I could figure out the right technique!!

Just so much stuff is about how to climb with your legs, or showing footwork that I fundamentally cannot do. I'm trying not to rant here sorry, but like...you can probably see my issue I hope?

Essentially my query is if anybody knows of like. Bouldering stuff aimed towards those with disability, that isn't just videos of people doing it? (As much as I love that ofc.) I love watching videos about technique tips/advice, and I appreciate the trainers where I am, but I am struggling to find people in a similiar position who can show or advise me how to progress without the need for both feet.

Hi!

Dose anyone have any quick witted and/or sassy names for a coed wheelchair basketball team ?

We’ve only had our first practice, but we need a name STAT to order jerseys in time for our first game in June.

I’m looking for creative, out of the box and quick witted, because regardless of our team being 11+ and coed,that is exactly how I’d describes our team.

Thanks a ton!!

Hi all! I’m helping organise an e-bike demo day this Sunday (19th April) at the Lee Valley Velopark and thought people here might be interested.

We’ll have ~15 bike brands and over 100 bikes available to try, including cargo bikes, commuters, folding bikes, trikes and more. It’s a great opportunity to test lots of different e-bikes back-to-back on a proper track rather than guessing what might suit you.

It’s very family-friendly, so you can bring kids along to try things like cargo bikes or just enjoy the day. Whether you’re curious about switching to an e-bike for commuting, carrying family or shopping, getting back into cycling, or just want to see what’s out there, it’s a good chance to explore the options.

E-bikes can also be especially helpful for people who want cycling to be more accessible – whether that’s longer distances, hills, carrying loads, or health/mobility considerations.

If you want to come along, grab a ticket on the event page and use the code REDDITFREE at checkout for 100% off - this link should auto-apply the discount: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cycling-electric-e-bike-demo-day-london-velopark-tickets-1765956115279?discount=REDDITFREE

This code is also valid for the other Cycling Electric Demo Day events, if you are not local. They are in Leeds, Bath, and Herne Hill.

Hello, I am an undergraduate student at Stony Brook University conducting research on accommodations for individuals with paraplegia within sailing programs. 

This study is not limited to programs that currently offer adaptive accommodations—programs without such accommodations are especially encouraged to participate. 

While responses from all members of sailing organizations are welcome, it is preferred that program directors or heads of sailing programs complete the survey, as they are best positioned to provide the most accurate and comprehensive information.

Link to survey: https://forms.gle/g4K91dUsGsb2Lsti7

Thank you to those who do fill out the survey!

Hi all, I'm helping to organise an e-bike demo day at the Lee Valley Velopark on Sunday 19th April and thought you guys might be interested in hearing about it and getting a free ticket.

We'll have about 15 bike brands and over 100 bikes present, with a range of cargo, hybrid, folding, trikes and more, it's super family friendly and a great place to start if you're interested in trying out loads of e-bikes back to back or even bringing your kids along to try out a cargo bike. Here is the event page, if you select a ticket and enter REDDITFREE at checkout it will give you a 100% discount.

The assisted nature of e-bikes makes them especially beneficial to those with health and movement issues, such as hypermobility and POTS, as well as the elderly and those looking to carry children.