Montanans living with disabilities will soon have access to adaptive cycles through a new  initiative spearheaded by the University of Montana.

The “Wheels Across Montana” program will debut at the inaugural Adaptive Bike Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Friday, July 15, at McCormick Park in Missoula.

UM’s Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities recently received a $75,000 High Impact Innovative Assistive Technology grant from the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation to make the project possible.

Adaptive trikes will begin to arrive in Missoula this month. The University of Montana and Missoula will host their event to deliver adaptive recreation equipment to encourage physical activity among people of all ages with paralysis, disabilities and chronic diseases who face additional health and social barriers due to living in rural areas.

Two local organizations – one with recreation experience and one with health care experience serving people with disabilities – will partner to store equipment and lead safe, fun and inclusive community programs. Health care partners will promote the programs to patients and clients with disabilities and, when needed, individualize programs to meet the specific needs of participants.

Sounds like an awesome event. Congrats to UM for spearheading the project. And thanks to the University of Montana News Bureau for the update. If you need to know more you can contact Mindy Renfro, principal investigator with UM’s Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, on campus at 406-243-2841.   DB

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