by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Wheelchair sports are growing more and more popular as those with disabilities realize that they can do anything anyone else can. Sometimes it may require creative thinking and some adaptive technology, but it's definitely possible. Adaptive sports can be found all over the United States. One only has to look. Accessible bowling is one of the adaptive sports that has grown in popularity and may continue.

There are accessible bowling alleys and even leagues especially for those with a disability. Some could feel more comfortable in a league that specializes in wheelchair and adaptive sports. Although a good number of traditional bowling alleys do have accessible lanes. Either way, this is an adaptive sport that can be easily enjoyed by people with disabilities.

Bowling is naturally a very accessible sport. However, some people with disabilities who require the use of a wheelchair may still enjoy an even more authentic way to enjoy adaptive sports. That's when they can use adaptive technology, such as the IKAN Bowler. The IKAN Bowler actually allows the bowler to release the bowling ball much in the same way as a person who stands to bowl, rather than one who is seated in a wheelchair.

There are many other types of equipment and accessories that are approved for, and can be used to, make bowling even more of an adaptive sport. Some of those include special ball ramps that attach to a wheelchair or walker, as well as the front of the bowling lane. There are also special ball pushers for getting the bowling ball to roll down the lane while seated in a wheelchair.

Accessible bowling exists both for adults and kids. It even exists in the Special Olympics International, or SOI. SOI allows people with varied disabilities to participate in a variety of adaptive sports. Bowling is actually an official activity of not only the SOI, but also the United States Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF), the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA), and the American Wheelchair Bowling Association (AWBA).

Getting involved in accessible bowling sports is as simple as finding a bowling alley or league that you want to participate in, which is not very hard at all, considering how accessible bowling truly is. Many bowling alleys are accessible, even if they do not advertise themselves that way. In addition to bowling, there are many other accessible and adaptive sports available to those with disabilities.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Persons with disabilities who live in rural and agricultural communities now have an easily accessible location for equipment and other resources. Agrability.org was created as an easy way to locate various organizations that provide services to those living with disabilities. These organizations specialize in providing disability resources and equipment to farmers or others with disabilities who reside in agricultural and rural areas. Agrability.org is an extension of Purdue University in Indiana.

Farm workers with disabilities may require specially customized equipment and tools in order to get the job done. Because of this, there are companies and organizations who specialize in these custom tools and equipment. However, some people may not know what equipment they need or where to find that information. This is one area in which resources and information from Agrability.org can help.

One organization accessible through Agrability.org is the Warm Springs Resource Center. This organization provides educational, social and cultural resources for anyone with disabilities. People with disabilities can be linked to resources within their community or over the internet. The Warm Springs Resource Center also houses the Texas Agrability Project, which is also easily accessible through Agrability.org. Through a combination of both of these organizations, those with disabilities may access information on support groups, accessible technology and equipment and other resources.

Also accessible through Agrability.org is the Breaking New Ground Resource Center and Outreach Program (BNG). Through this organization, farmers with disabilities may access information and resources on obtaining agricultural equipment, tools, machinery and a variety of other relevant resources. The equipment, tools and machinery are all specially designed for farm workers with disabilities.

Dr.Val Farmer, Ph.D. is also cooperating in this effort. Through his website, accessible through Agrability.org, those with disabilities may access self-help and medical articles. One of his topics readers may find interesting is farm stress, among other related articles. The Research and Training Center on Rural Rehabilitation Services (RTC: Rural), with funding from the National Institute on Rehabilitation Research, strives to help those living with disabilities lead a more independent life. This is done through research, resources and training.

Through the organizations above, as well as others, Agrability.org has been helping those with disabilities gain access to important resources, such as tools, skills, technology, information and equipment. With this simple and accessible platform, farmers and others with disabilities who are living in rural and agricultural areas should be able to more readily access any resources they may need.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

A person with a disability can garden just as well as one who doesn't have one - and many modern-day gardening tools are making it even simpler. Garden tools customized for ease of use are growing more popular and allowing even those who were unable to garden previously the freedom to do so with ease. From yard work to planting and caring for a garden and even creating an accessible garden, there are many gardening tools available to help make gardening more accessible to everyone.