Whether climbing blindfolded or swimming with sharks, members of the Illinois State University community can experience inclusive recreation at the annual Adaptapalooza from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, in the Student Fitness Center.
The event is free and open to the Illinois State University community. Registration is not required, and participants can drop in as schedules allow. An Illinois State identification card is needed to access the Student Fitness Center.
Created by therapeutic recreation students at Illinois State, Adaptapalooza offers people the tools to experience the benefits of activities, sports, and recreation without limits. Participants can take part in activities adapted for people with physical disabilities, such as wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and adaptive rock climbing.
Adaptapalooza will be bringing back its virtual reality experience with this year’s activity, swimming with sharks. The activity is funded by a DEBI (Diversity, Equity, Belonging, Inclusion) grant from the College of Applied Science and Technology. The grant, received by Dr. Nicky Wu, a faculty member in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, will allow participants to experience virtual travel and tourism using the Oculus platform.
Adaptapalooza occurs during Therapeutic Recreation Month to educate the Illinois State University community about therapeutic recreation. Therapeutic Recreation and Athletic Training will have informational tables to educate participants on how their professions contribute to adapted sports.
For more information, talk to any therapeutic recreation student or contact Sherri Hildebrand.
