{"id":78882,"date":"2017-09-19T10:18:35","date_gmt":"2017-09-19T14:18:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=78882"},"modified":"2019-03-31T15:59:08","modified_gmt":"2019-03-31T19:59:08","slug":"ucf-launches-adaptive-recreational-program-neuro-atypical-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-launches-adaptive-recreational-program-neuro-atypical-community\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF Launches Adaptive Recreational Program for Neuro-Atypical Community"},"content":{"rendered":"
Central Floridians who have developed a neurological disorder as a result of an accident or disease can now join recreational teams created just for them at the 女仆AV.<\/p>\n
A new UCF Adaptive Community Project is seeking up to 70 participants to join sports teams, a theater production and\/or a choir adapted to fit the needs of neuro-atypical conditions. Participants can join as many teams as they\u2019d like for free.<\/p>\n
The opportunity is open to greater Orlando residents and includes sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, softball, acting and script-writing positions in theater, and a choir for those with acquired speech disorders. Each activity will have modified equipment, such as beeping balls for those with visual impairments to detect where the ball is by sound, costumes made for those in wheelchairs, and more.<\/p>\n
The Adaptive Community Project is an interdisciplinary effort developed and led by UCF neuropsychologist and clinical associate professor Megan Sherod. Her goal is to give members of the local neuro-atypical community a new outlet to socialize and exercise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s lacking in the community is this type of resource and opportunity for people who weren\u2019t born with neuro-atypical conditions, but who\u2019ve acquired them through accident, injury or disease,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Oftentimes, those diagnosed with neurological disorders end up feeling socially isolated from the rest of the community, she said.<\/p>\n
Sherod consulted with Robert Pritchard, a former UCF football player who while at his home in Georgia, suffered a massive stroke in 2012<\/a> that led to speech and physical impairments. He helped guide Sherod in developing the sport aspect of the project.<\/p>\n Like Pritchard, survivors of strokes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, West Nile Virus and other life-altering events that led to neurological disorders are the target of the program.<\/p>\n Participants will practice once a week for at least a semester, and will work up toward a tournament, concert or live theatrical performance.<\/p>\n