Fifth Graders Learn About Adaptive Sports

Lotspeich fifth graders welcomed Adam Ayers, the program and outreach coordinator from The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation, to speak about how the nonprofit is making sports more adaptive.

The Bridge was founded in 2021 by medical professionals, community advocates, and athletes who bonded over the mutual goal of eliminating any barriers to participating in physical activity in the community.

During his presentation, Ayers discussed different examples of possible adaptations people may have to continue enjoying the sports and games they love. For example, Ayers’ basketball wheelchair features rear wheels that are tilted inward to provide better stability for quick turns and hand protection compared to the wheelchair he uses on a regular basis.

Ayers shared there are also companies that manufacture gaming controllers for people with any level of mobility so they’re still able to enjoy their favorite video games.

Students took careful notes during the presentation and asked Ayers a multitude of questions, like if the rules of a sport changed depending on whether it was a para-sport.

Ayers’ visit is a part of their mini-golf project, where students are tasked with designing a mini-golf hole.

Fifth-grade teacher Laura OGrady shared that she and fifth-grade teacher Danielle Levine wanted to extend the project to include a community connection.

“Students are not required to design around accessibility, but we want them to think about the question — How can we design recreational opportunities that are accessible to all?” OGrady said.