[Sportsandrec] accommodations and labeling cardio equipment

[Carly Mihalakis]

Ashley,

Long time, no talk too!

I try to regard the world with as much openness as I know 
I  appreciate upon interfacing with people.
I like to think myself approachable and unpretentious, realizing how 
people related to each other by the fortune of blindness must stick 
together, for power can be derived from true strength and resiliance 
in numbers.
I am a regular cyclist, spinning each weekday morning, and you are 
familiar with this form of exercise.
My blind boyfriend, Robin and I also took an abbs class which  is 
offered at most gyms, where you perform a series of situps, and other 
exercises meant to strengthen and condition one's core.

The instructor , was excited to donate a few minutes a couple times 
weekly to teach us the exercises so we could slip as seamlessly as 
possible into the mainstream.

We have since started school, and are therefore unable to make it to 
abs class till the summer, but we were able to slip pretty seamlessly 
into the proverbial mainstream, thanks to the instructor's tutilage.
I would suggest just asking, Ashley, for you never know if the 
instructor will exhibit excitement in having a  1 on 1 session with 
the blind chick.
Good luck, and the worst you can be is WRONG!
Carly 07:03 PM 4/20/2009, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>Is anyone frustrated with the flat panneled screens on today's new 
>cardio equipment?  Not only are machines flat, but increasingly they 
>are fancy with programs you can set up to simulate hills and 
>more.  The elipticals seem to be pretty tactile but not other 
>equipment.  The others have only small bumps where the arrows 
>are.  There is not a way to tell one button from another.  I can see 
>the green go button on the treadmills, so after they showed me how 
>to use it, I can start it myself.  Other equipment I get assistance to start.
>
>I think NFB should bring to the manufacturer's attention the need 
>for accessible equipment, having tactile buttons and ideally speech 
>output.  I'm going to call them but an organization would carry much 
>much more weight.
>
>Its difficult though to get someone to help.  They are busy.  Some 
>of you mentioned you label the machines.  I would like to get 
>permission to do this.  I hope my gym which is part of a large chain 
>in the DC area, will be receptive to it.
>
>Can you tell me about labeling?  What matterial did you use?  When I 
>labeled my appliances I used clear dimo tape.
>Some of the buttons won't fit braille on them because they are 
>small.  Is there something that you can use small bump dots on?  I 
>only know of that raised glue, can't think of its name; I cannot put 
>that on their machines.
>How many machines do you label?  I was thinking a couple of each 
>kind.  This way if someone is using one, there's another one.
>Also how do you locate the labeled machines?  You know gyms have 
>rows and rows of equipment close together.
>Do you count machines?  Then you would know for instance, you 
>labeled the second treadmill on the second row.  With over 20 pieces 
>of a given cardio equipment, I think it would be challenging to 
>locate the right one; you cannot go up and touch them.
>
>What other accomodations did you get?  What about classes?  They are 
>taught visually by instructor modeling.  What classes were you integrated in?
>I was successful with spinning.  For other classes I'm not sure 
>about.  I asked the group fitness director if I could spend time 
>with the instructor prior to class.
>This would allow them to explain the format of class and some of the 
>exercises I was unfamiliar with.
>She said instructors are only paid for the hour they teach 
>class.  Still I'm thinking its reasonable to meet the instructor if 
>their schedule permits it.
>I hope things work in my favor and I can label the machines.
>This way going to the gym would not be such a chore.
>
>Well take care.
>Ashley
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