Related Links | Entertainment | Recreation

RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

This is only a short and incomplete list of contacts for recreation, and not all listings here specialize in activities for persons with vision impairments. In the field of specialized recreation for the disabled, organizations and agents change frequently. This is primarily because of changes within the organizations, due to inconsistent funding, or changes in an organization's rented or borrowed venues or facilities.

Many mainstream recreational outlets are becoming more interested in recruiting persons with disabilities to their programs and facilities, which increases recreational opportunities for everyone who is disabled. In many areas, there are now mainstream recreational facilities that also cater to recreational enthusiasts with disabilities: both snow and water skiing businesses, sailing marinas and clubs, horse stables and riding programs, and many camping, fishing, and hiking outlets are now accessible.

An initial list of recreational camps for the blind and visually impaired appears below, followed by several general recreation and travel listings.

Camps for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Camps listed below are located only In Oregon, Washington, and California, and those listed below are specifically for blind and visually impaired participants. There are surprisingly few non-religious camps for the vision impaired across the nation, and many of these are along the Eastern Seaboard, far from Oregon. There are many camps of varying types that are affiliated with local or regional churches however, and requesting a referral or list from the church of your choice is not a bad idea either.

For each camp listed below, it is advisable to make contact to check the details on their exact location, the camp environment (forest, rural or suburban countryside, etc.), their eligibility requirements, the available recreational and additional activities, how they might be staffed, and the fees per time attended. Each camp will probably be different in the things you will need to attend, and likewise the fees requested for camp participation will differ.

Some of the older, more well-established camps are slightly custodial and not particularly mainstream in the activities they offer; some also occasionally vary the types of activities they offer to appeal to a greater number of participants. It is best to check with the camp itself to inquire as to their activities and outlook, and maybe even talk to anyone you may know who has attended your camp of interest. And remember; always investigate way in advance of scheduling your trip to camp!

Camp Bloomfield

Foundation for the Junior Blind
Los Angeles, California
(800) 352-2290
www.fjb.org

Though the Foundation for the Junior Blind of Los Angeles owns and runs Camp Bloomfield, the camp itself is located near the beach in Malibu California. Camp Bloomfield serves vision impaired children, adults and their families. There are many child and adult sessions during the warm months and three family sessions during summer. They also offer "buddy camps" where youngsters can bring a young friend or family member to the camp for shared activities. Camp Bloomfield offers swimming, horseback riding, rope climbing, archery, arts and crafts and many other outdoor and beachfront activities. There is a $25 initial registration fee per camp. Contact the Foundation and ask about the camp's eligibility, schedules and activities.

Camp Harobed

P O Box 2178
Belfair, WA 98528
(360) 372-2735

Camp Harobed was only founded in October of 2000 and was established as a memorial to Deborah Bloom Pigott, who was a blind recreational enthusiast. She and her husband Jack always wanted to turn their rural and beautiful 15 acres near the Puget Sound in the mountains of the Olympic Range into a recreational camp for blind adults. Upon Debbie's sudden death in August of 2000, Jack and her friends started putting the property in order to be just that, a rural camp for blind adults and their families.

The property has a small lake, plenty of space for hiking, tent and trailer camping, nature activities, and work has begun for a games field for beep baseball and other sports that are accessible to blind and vision impaired campers. Plans for horse riding and a more developed nature trail are in the works, and fees for the camping sessions are still low. Sessions are scheduled for the summer months, and additional reserved camping or group use of the camp areas may be scheduled by calling Jack at the number above or by contacting Rob Cook at (541) 741-4367.

Enchanted Hills

Lighthouse for the Blind
San Francisco, California
(415) 431-1481
www.lighthouse-sf.org

Enchanted Hills is located deep in the beautiful Napa Valley wine country and is one of the nation's oldest specialized camps for the blind. The camp is now a permanent trust of the Rose Resnick Center (a foundation of the Lighthouse) and is so well appointed that you may not consider it a camp, but rather a rural resort. Enchanted Hills has cabins for their guests, nature walks, large gathering rooms and a variety of activities devoted to persons who are blind and visually impaired. They have child and adult sessions and are usually open from June to September. Contact Director Tony Fletcher for details.

Oral Hull Foundation Camp

P O Box 157
Sandy, OR 97055
(503) 668-6195

The Oral Hull Camp is located in Sandy, Oregon, just east of
Portland. The 23-acre camp is beautifully nestled at the foot of Mount Hood and is completely enveloped deep within a virgin fir forest. The camp has two small lakes for trout fishing, an "enchanted" botanical garden, and many camping and trailer sites, with several magnificently developed facilities. The main hall and its attached areas include a dormitory for members or visitors, a pool with spa, and a dining commons area that is exquisite in its accommodations.

The foundation was started in 1962 and is now a virtual resort for the blind and visually impaired. Visitors or members will find a fully developed place to take a trip to, do tent or trailer camping, or to call and get in on their scheduled events. Membership allows reduced rates and greater access to the camp, but anyone involved in vision impairment can come and enjoy the facilities and activities year round, though most scheduled events are during the warmer months. If you want a near resort atmosphere, give the Oral Hull Foundation a call and ask for membership and schedule information.

Access To Recreation

8 Sandra Court
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(800) 634-4351
www.accesstr.com

Access To Recreation has recreational aids for persons with mobility impairments, and they also have a variety of aids for daily living (adaptive goods.). Some of their products may be useful to blind or visually impaired persons who are also mobility impaired. Contact them for details or a catalog.

Adventure Without Limits

1341 Pacific Avenue
Forest Grove, OR 97116
Information & programs: (503) 359-2568
Registration: (503) 681-9471
www.awloutdoors.com

AWL is an outdoor recreational nonprofit program that is open to everyone, though their emphasis is in access to recreation for youth with disabilities. The outings are designed to access all persons to recreational environments and nearly all of AWL's activities are held outdoors and are generally rural in nature.

Most AWL activities are day trips, though occasionally overnight trips are arranged. Outings are generally held near the Oregon-Washington border, in recreational areas like the Oregon coast, Mount Hood or the Columbia River Gorge.
AWL has another recreational component which is specifically for people with disabilities called the Social Recreational Companion Program. This program provides disabled participants with their own companion to allow greater independence during outings. Call or check the AWL website for more information or current outings.

National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA)

2231 West First Avenue
Topeka, KS 66606-1304
(785) 234-2156
www.nbba.org

The NBBA is a national organization which promotes, encourages and develops amateur beep baseball programs throughout the nation and internationally. This nonprofit organization is devoted to the accessible game of beep baseball, and their website offers a listing of games to be played, players and teams, recent game scores, some of the highlights expected for the upcoming season and other informational tidbits about the game and players. Check it out for some education about what blind and visually impaired athletes are up to!

Oregon Disability Sports

Salem, Oregon
(800) 869-8180
www.oregondisabilitysports.org

Oregon Disability Sports (ODS) offers information about disability accessible sports programs and venues within Oregon. It refers interested parties to accessible sports activities, and they also have a few programs that they administer themselves. ODs is presently starting a few new sports programs such as accessible snow skiing, so it might be good to give them a call or check their website for current information. For more detailed information, call Eric Patterson at (503) 378-3820, ext. 239.

Ski for Light, Inc.

1455 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55408
(612) 827-3232
www.ssl.org

Ski For Light is a program involving cross-country skiing which benefits blind, visually impaired, and mobility-impaired individuals and their guides. They have many scheduled outings across the country each year and usually have an annual gathering somewhere beautiful and special to those who love to ski. Ski For Light outings usually have both cross country and downhill skiing, as well as learning opportunities for new and novice skiers, along with sessions at each gathering for those who are more experienced. Contact them for details!

United States Association of Blind Athletes USABA)

33 N. Institute Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 630-0422
www.usaba.org

The USABA Is a nonprofit organization that offers information and sports opportunities to blind and vision impaired athletes. USABA provides opportunities for competition and training in track and field, wrestling, tandem cycling, judo, power lifting, swimming, goalball, and skiing. They are also the U.S. representative to the International blind Sports Association and are the Governing Body for goalball (see below).

If you check by website or phone, they have a national sports calendar, a listing of recreational and sports camps, and also information about their two academic scholarships for USABA members. Contact them for membership and sports opportunities, information, or scholarship opportunities.

(Goalball is a very popular sport among vision impaired sportspersons. It is basically an adapted form of floor hockey, though a heavy ball with sound-making capacity is substituted for a puck. Players have two end goals and must defend their goal against the other team's attempts to score, much like hockey. The game is full of exertion and is often quite rough on the body due to the floor contact, requiring players to suit up in protective gear. ALL PLAYERS wear sleep shades or some form of vision eliminator, thus making this game totally equal to all players. There are several regular goalball teams in Oregon and there is stiff competition on the west coast from other regional teams. For more information on goalball, contact USABA, or call or e-mail Oregon Disability Sports at (800) 869-8180, or visit their website.

Travel Opportunities

Since mainstream agencies are now seeing the financial impact of including persons with disabilities in their activities and tours, there seems to be far fewer numbers of agents and tours specifically for the disabled. With a will to travel and be catered to, it is possible to find specialized travel opportunities for vision impaired travelers; search the web, or contact a travel agent you know and try to make some plans. The ACB web page has a current listing of recreational and travel opportunities for persons who are vision impaired. There are also resources out there (such as the two final entries below) that have listings of accessible activities and facilities.

Remember however that in our country today, persons with disabilities are becoming more involved and integrated into mainstream activities. Put simply, rather than be inhibited, try including yourself in any travel opportunity that comes your way. Inclusion is a right in our country and before you go to another locale or somewhere less inclusive, take full advantage of the opportunities available through America's wonderfully increasing accessibility.

CruiseAway With Sue

(314) 726-6893
E-mail: cruiseaway2001@yahoo.com

Sue Slater is an independent agent who openly states that her "mission in life is to make cruising accessible for the visually impaired." Because Sue is vision impaired from RP and loves to go on cruises herself, she has loads of experience in setting up exceptional vacation cruises for persons who are blind or visually impaired and want to bring along friends, family or their dog guides. Sue usually organizes several exceptional cruises annually, and contacting her in advance for details is a must.

Whole Access

(650) 363-2647
www.wholeaccess.org
Information in Word for download: www.wholeaccess.org/info

Whole Access is a Redwood City, California based nonprofit organization that works to make parks and all community spaces accessible to people with disabilities. As well as informing citizens about the accessibility of local, state and national public open spaces, Whole Access provides education, training and technical consulting to park and community planners, business leaders, community groups, private designers and managers on incorporating access into the development and maintenance of community facilities and programs.

Whole Access was founded in 1983 by Phyllis Cangemi because she and her small group wanted to build an organization that would be "an accessibility education organization that would make everything that we do an important teaching tool and a part of the work of Whole Access." Phyllis and the members of Whole Access still want anyone who is interested in just how accessible a park or open space might be to contact Whole Access to find out about present and/or potential recreational or open space accessibility.

Wilderness Inquiry

808 14th Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 676-0400 Fax: (612) 676-0401
(800) 728-0719
www.wildernessinquiry.org
www.accessoutdoors.org (info on disabled and accessible facilities)

Wilderness Inquiry (WI) is for travelers, campers, hikers and recreational enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. WI trips are meant to be all-inclusive, and participants of all abilities bring a sense of integration to the tours. WI trips include camping, hiking, backpacking, water sports, and a variety of other outdoor activities. They go all over the country and abroad.

WI also does accessibility assessments on parks, recreational areas and facilities that may be public or private in nature. The findings are placed on their "accessoutdoors" website. This website also has outdoor products reviewed and for sale. So check out both sites and get involved in their activities.

This is not a complete list of adaptive goods vendors, cane or computer suppliers; nor is this a sizable list of service agents. As one lives the life of a person with a significant disability such as vision loss, one's personal knowledge or database for accessing material goods and services will DEFINITELY grow. So be prepared to choose your favorite agent or supplier through your own experience.

Adaptive Goods -- Independent Living Aids Suppliers

Ann Morris Enterprises

551 Hosner Mountain Road
Stormville, NY 12582
(800) 454-3175 or (845) 227-9659
www.annmorris.com
E-mail: annmorris-subscriber@yahoogroups.com

For years, Ann Morris has personally gone to conventions and gatherings of blind and visually impaired consumers, and it is not unusual to strike up a conversation or even a budding friendship with her at such a meeting. Ann has a variety of adaptive goods available, tests them herself, provides good pricing and service contacts, and is generally good to call if you need hard to find items.

Independent Living AIDS, Inc.

27 East Mall
Plainsview, NY 11803
(800) 537-2118
www.independentliving.com

This company has an extensive list of products for a variety of disability needs. They back their products with lenient policies on returns and warranties and will usually record your contact information so as to assist you in any way at a later date.

Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. (IRTI)

Sales & Customer Services, Attn. Sue Smonetti
134453 Colfax Highway
Grass Valley, CA 96945
(800) 322-4784 (530) 274-2090
www.irti.net
E-mail: info@irti.net

IRTI has quality goods and warrantees, and they use and test their products prior to sales. IRTI has free tape and print catalogs to use and customers can also call or E-mail them for information on their countless adaptive goods products.

LS&S Adaptive Goods

P.O. Box 673
Northbrook, IL 60065
(800) 468-4789
www.lssgroup.com

LS&S has many unique recreational products, including Braille and large print playing cards, adaptive board games, beeping sports balls, audible flying disks, talking tape measures, a talking chess computer, talking and Braille dice and more. Call to find out more.

Low Vision Accessory Store (Vision Northwest)

9225 SW Hall Blvd., Suite G
Tigard, OR 97213
(503) 684-8389

The Low Vision Accessory Store has hundreds of large and small items for visually impaired consumers. Owned and operated by Vision Northwest, the store has everything from table top magnifiers and CC TV's, to small handheld items like monocular lenses and watches. Call or visit the store to check out their variety of useful items. The Low Vision Accessory Store is near Portland, located at the Southwest corner of Hall Blvd. and Greenberg Road, near Washington Square in Tigard.

Speak To Me Talking Products

330 SW 43rd Street, Suite 154
Renton, WA 98055-4976
(800) 248-9965
www.speaktomecatalog.com

The Talking Products Company or the Speak To Me folks sell audio products that cater to the general population as well as to those consumers with vision impairments. Their variety of items and gifts is large, so call or check their website for further information on what they have.

Cane Suppliers

The use of and choice of a white cane is a personal decision. There are too many cane companies and suppliers to list them all here. Nearly all the previously listed adaptive goods vendors sell canes upon order, and if you are familiar with a company or type, ask them and they will surely sell you your chosen cane.

The standard rigid, white long cane is slowly being nudged out of popularity by newer and more utilitarian collapsible canes, which are usually lighter and more convenient in situations where one must sit or put a cane out of the way. Although there are many cane manufacturers, at present only one is listed here. Ask an Orientation and Mobility Instructor to show you a few canes, check out your vision impaired peer's canes, use one or two and then choose BEFORE you contact an adaptive goods dealer to order one. The average cost of a collapsible cane is $20 to $25.

California Canes

16263 Walnut Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 956-5265 (866) 332-4883
Fax (760) 956-7477
www.californiacanes.com

Jeff and Tammy Carmer are the owners of California Canes, and they have exhibited at many conventions of blind consumers. Their several styles of canes have been received very well, as they are very strong, lightweight, and their canes hold a lifetime replacement warranty. Jeff is blind and the product he has developed was one of the first carbon fiber, graphite canes, which can be purchased in either collapsible or rigid form. Jeff's collapsible canes have very deep ferrules (the connector that slides between the joints) and this factor makes them very sensitive, flexible and nearly indestructible, while maintaining a light weight for hand control and comfort. Call California Canes and talk to Jeff personally about your particular cane concerns or a price list. He will enjoy talking to you and happily make a customized cane upon request.

Computers

In this new age of computerization, a computer at home or work should be considered a most valuable independent living aid. Persons who are blind or visually impaired have certainly not been excluded within the changing sphere of computerization; rather we have nearly been overwhelmed with products and services that can enhance access to mainstream computers and like electronic systems. A person who is vision impaired can now go into any computer store, buy a system off the shelf at a normal price, then go home and load the complementary adaptive technology that will be appropriate for their individual needs. That is of course if they have previous knowledge of computers, and can afford the appropriate hardware and software; that probably eliminates most of us.

There are far too many topics and resources related to assistive technology (also commonly called access or adaptive technology) and computers to cover in this listing. So, this section discusses only two areas specifically for those who may not know much or anything at all about computers, and then lists an Oregon direct resource for access technology.

If you are new to computers in general or have recently lost sight and need to learn about the adaptive technology involved with accessing computer systems, here are two suggestions: contact your local community college's Disabled Student's Office and inquire about the availability of classes on computers; or it might be more sensible to become a client of the Oregon Commission for the Blind and get adaptive computer technology training through them.

Using computers as a novice is not easy for anyone, and it will take serious education to learn the proper techniques to negotiate the Internet, word processing, data systems and other functions that computers are regularly used for. Add vision loss, and handling computers may not be easy, though with training it is possible and for some, even addictive. If you do have a real desire to learn about computers and the access technology that could put you in the game, get a head start and check out books from your local Talking Book Library (see details below). They have many books on general computer topics, and books on software systems for persons who are vision impaired.

If you decide to investigate the available opportunities at your local college, remember that the Disabled Students Office will have adaptive equipment available somewhere on campus, but this equipment will be for registered students only. Unfortunately, not all community or even state colleges or universities offer classes in adaptive technology. So consider when taking a computer class that the curriculum will probably cover only general computer hardware, application software, and the skills involving standard computer use.

If you decide to look into the opportunities that becoming a client of the Oregon Commission for the Blind might allow you, know in advance that this bureaucracy cannot train you overnight. But the training you will get totally addresses your individual situation as a person with a vision impairment. Being a Commission client also means far less time or financial constraints. In some cases and after training, the Commission can even provide clients hardware or software.

Call your local Oregon Commission for the Blind office and get the details from a lead counselor.

If you have previous knowledge of computers and feel that you can learn on your own about adaptive technology that can assist you with reentry into computerization, there are some simple ways to catch up without training. Joining a computer club or reading magazines and books related to the field are good ways to catch up on current technology. Both the ACB and NFB have very good resources listed within their journals each month that are related to vision-impaired users of computers. Also there is a magazine called Vision Enhancement, that though usually for low vision users, has many reviews of adaptive computer technology. Also refer to the NLS magazine Listings, to see what selections they might have to offer in the way of computer technology.

Check out the college, Commission and literary options to see which might best suit your needs. However, as a person with a vision impairment, do not venture into the well populated field of commercial training or computer education companies. Private "pay to learn" schools or companies are for the general and fully-sighted public; most of these for-profit schools do not even teach their fully-sighted consumers any comprehensive skills. Investigate, beware the quick fix pitfalls, and get into adaptive technology when you're ready to join the mainstream.

One final resource in Oregon is a federally funded, statewide program often referred to as Talon or Technology Access for Life Needs. The Talon or Access Technologies, Inc. contact information follows.

Access Technologies, Inc. (ATI)

3070 Lancaster Drive NE
Salem, OR 97301
Salem Administrative Office: (800) 677-7512 (503) 361-1201
Portland Office: (503) 725-8395
www.accesstechnologiesinc.org
E-mail: ati@oregonvos.net

ATI provides equipment or services that will make it easier for someone with a disability to live more independently, work at a job, learn in an academic environment, or pursue recreational activities. ATI specializes in accommodations related to independent or daily living, education or employment accessibility, worksite accommodations or assessment, oral communications accommodation, orthopedics technology and accommodation, and even recreational accommodations for Oregonians with disabilities.

ATI should be viewed by persons with disabilities in Oregon as an enabling problem-solving agency that can assist them in enhancing their life through a variety of technological solutions. ATI does not only serve state or federal agency consumer-clients; they will provide information and/or services to nearly anyone who calls with a valid need or request. ATI will work out of their office areas, and they have a sliding scale for the payment of services or equipment. If you cannot figure out a solution to your individual disability or technology-related difficulty and are wondering if some form of adaptive technology or training might not be the cure, contact ATI for assistance.