[Sportsandrec] accommodations and labeling cardio equipment

Thu May 14 20:54:26 UTC 2009

Hi Roger,
I agree we should ask instructors to help us so we can integrate into class. 
Showing us hands on is the best way to understand what's going on.
I had an instructor show me some things before class when I tired cardio 
kickboxing.  It didn't work for me during class though because it was too 
fast paced and I didn't always know which way the class turned.
I can certainly ask to spend time prior to a class.  However it may be tough 
to see the instructor because they are busy and often just show up a few 
minutes before class to teach.  Half of the instructors have classes they 
teach beforehand.  Anyway, I'll see what happens.
Have you done any group exercise? If so what?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger Acuna" <kearney at lmi.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:40 AM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] accommodations and labeling cardio equipment

>I agree with you Carli.  Often when you ask an instructor to spend some 
>time to show drills and things before class, you could usually get the 
>instructor to work with you.  The key point is that you need to talk to the 
>instructor directly.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Carly Mihalakis" <carlymih at earthlink.net>
> To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 10:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] accommodations and labeling cardio equipment
>
>
>> 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
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>Sportsandrec mailing list
>>>Sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
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>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>>Sportsandrec:
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>>
>>
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