On Sunday, April 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Women’s Building Gymnasium, members of the Syracuse University and the Central New York communities are invited to the University’s sixth annual accessible athletics expo, OrangeAbility. This student-led initiative is sponsored by the Disability Student Union (DSU), the Disability Cultural Center (DCC), the Department of Recreation Services, the Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee and community organization Move Along Inc.
“OrangeAbility has not only become a cherished, enjoyable and splendid tradition at SU for students and other community members with disabilities, it has, as our tagline asserts, shown everyone, ‘You don’t have to be able-bodied to play, and you don’t have to have a disability to play accessible sports,’” says DCC Director Diane Wiener. “This concept is far more than philosophical. It highlights the pragmatism of cultural change that many of us seek as well as expect, while underscoring the contributions that disabled people make to our campus and to society.”
OrangeAbility highlights the legacy and growing vibrancy of the disability community on and off campus. Attendees are encouraged to participate in accessible, adaptive and inclusive sports, including relays, wheelchair basketball, power soccer and inclusive yoga. Also, participants may visit with local community-based organizations, interact with SU student groups, and engage with competing teams. The event is free and open to the public. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided.
Register online on the OrangeAbility website or day-of at the expo to play with a team, volunteer, table with groups or request specific accommodations.
In addition to this year’s festivities, the Student Association (SA) is set to relaunch its highly anticipated Cycle Share Program, previously known as the Bike Share Program. SA has worked with the DCC, Move Along Inc., Bike-On, and other faculty, staff and students to add two adaptive cycles to the program. Initially, one cycle will be adapted for chair users and another for students on crutches.
“We are excited to be launching the Cycle Share Program at OrangeAbility, what we believe is the first of its kind in the country. We hope to further strengthen this program by ensuring that all students are able to use these cycles,” says Joyce LaLonde, a senior public relations and policy studies major and SA vice president.
Cycles can be reserved via the online reservation form on the Student Centers and Programming Services website beginning April 3. The cycles can be checked out from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all cycles must be returned within 24 hours, unless shared on the weekend in which case a cycle may be returned Monday.
For more information on OrangeAbility or to request accommodations, visit the OrangeAbility website or email orangeability@gmail.com.
For more information on the Cycle Share Program, email LaLonde at jelalond@syr.edu.
