Modified Controllers Let the Disabled Play Video Games

Modern video game controllers have evolved a great deal from the old Atari joystick with 1 button. Now, gamers are faced with multiple thumbsticks and up to 8 buttons. Mastering these controllers can be extremely difficult even for people with full motor control in their hands and fingers. But for anyone without that level of manual dexterity, using a Playstation or Xbox controller can be a daunting task.

Gamespot has a story and more images about this modified controller and accessible gaming, and how those with physical disabilities can still play and enjoy modern video games. This particular controller uses all the internal hardware from a normal controller, but is modified to allow chin and head movements to control the on-screen action.

I for one love how technology is bringing these type of experiences to people who might not otherwise be able to experience them, and look forward to seeing more of this kind of innovation. What do you think?

Learn to Surf with AmpSurf

Surfing is tough but as anyone who has gotten onto a board will tell you it can be incredibly rewarding. Unfortunately, many people with mobility disabilities never get a chance to experience the feel of riding along on a wave.

AmpSurf wants to change that. They are offering surfing clinics in the Southern California area to help amputees and others with disabilities learn to surf and have fun while doing it!

We think it’s a great idea and it seems like everyone who gets out there, takes part, and supports this has an incredibly rewarding experience.

Visit Amp Surf to see their mission, and to check out locations and times for their disabled surfing clinics.

28 Disability Sports for People with Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury can be a huge setback at first, especially for people who are used to lead active lives that include a lot of physical activities. However, this video by project Continue shows the many opportunities that still exist to engage in sporting activities thanks to the specialized adaptive equipment that removes barriers to participation after paralysis. While most of the recreational and sporting activities featured in this video are geared towards paraplegics, some of them also involve quadriplegics. Non-the less, the scenes are beautifully shot in high definition and these positive images may very well inspire many of us to continue to lead active lives despite of a physical disability.

Enjoy watching this awesome video!

continue from Jeffrey Rosenbluth on Vimeo.

Set Your Wheelchair Free with the FreeWheel

Standard wheelchairs, with two small front caster wheels, don’t handle uneven terrain, gravel, or dirt very well. Enter the FreeWheel. Patrick Dougherty, injured in a motocross accident and now a C6/C7 quadriplegic, wanted his wheelchair to give him more freedom, and so designed a wheelchair attachment including a larger, threaded wheel that can handle off-road terrain much better than a standard wheelchair.

This new innovative wheelchair attachment will be shown this weekend at the LA Abilities Expo, and we’re pretty sure that it’ll be a hit. Paraplegics, quadriplegics, or anyone using a wheelchair can enjoy a much greater sense of freedom, and it seems like a ton of fun. Just take a look at this video of the FreeWheel to see why.

Learn more about the freewheel and improving your wheelchair mobility at www.gofreewheel.com

Spina Bifida Born Aaron Fotheringham Inspires With Wheelchair Acrobatics

Aaron Fotheringham is a guy who enjoys his life to the fullest as a wheelchair athlete doing wild tricks that resemble performances only done by BMX riders and skateboarders. If you have never seen a wheelchair back flip before, you should really check out this video. Aaron landed his first successful wheelchair back flip in July of 2006 and even before that he had already perfected a mid air 180° turn. I was truly impressed watching this video and what is even more amazing is that Aaron was only 14 years old at that time.

After his first back flip, he became famous almost instantaneously and started traveling all over the US and even some countries overseas. He has also won a few BMX free style competitions since. But winning competitions is not the focus in his life because what he really enjoys is just simply spending time with his friends at the skate park.

You can call Aaron a daredevil or whatever you feel like, but it is a treat to see him doing his stunts in a wheelchair. And what inspires me even more so about Aaron is the fact that he uses his own accomplishments as an example for teaching young disabled kids that a wheelchair can be a fun object rather than a confinement. And in the process he hopes to change how people perceive a person using a wheelchair.

Way to go Aaron!

To read more about Aaron check out Aaron Fotheringham’s website.

How Do You Select the Right Wheelchair?

Greg is a quadriplegic who has put a lot of videos up around his disability and how to modify his home and lifestyle to better accommodate his needs. We’ve found a lot of benefit from watching these, and wanted to share this one on how to select a wheelchair, and Greg even demonstrates his standing wheelchair. We hope you find it useful – and if you have any tips  or experience you’d be willing to share from your own experiences with choosing wheelchairs, leave a comment! We’d love to hear from you!