The Adapted Physical Activity Clinics Fall Festival is an annual event intent on providing an environment for people with disabilities to to engage in physical, social and cognitive exercise.
By Stephen Brinkerhoff
The Adapted Physical Activity Clinics Fall Festival will return for its second year on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Taking place in IUPUI’s Gymnasium, the goal of the festival is to provide a fun and healthy environment for people with disabilities to to engage in physical, social and cognitive exercise.
Tickets will go for $5 per person or $20 per family for those who pre-register online. For those who register at the door, tickets will go for $10 per person.
Run by IUPUI’s School of Physical Education and Tourism Management, The Adapted Physical Activity Clinic is composed of four sub-clinics: the Motor Activity Clinic, the Ability Fitness Clinic, Live Laugh Dance and the Inclusive Multi-Sport Clinic.
“They’re designed to create accessible physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities in that community,” clinic director Katie Stanton said.
Stanton is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and the founder of the clinic, having founded it 21 years ago.
“When I got here at IUPUI, I was a new faculty member and I needed a place for my students to get experience working with people with disabilities, so I started these programs,”
The festival itself will feature a wide of range of activities for people with disabilities, from sports such as basketball and bowling to creative activities like face painting and crafts.
“A combination of both growth and fine motor activities will be available, so for children who struggle to move their bodies in specific ways, we'll have things that they can sit down and do,”
“We're going to be having a silent auction,” program coordinator Amy Oliver said. “To try to raise funding for the program that we run.”
Oliver has been involved with the festival since its first year in November of 2016. Before, she had been an adapted physical education teacher with Muncie Community Schools for 12 years.
“I am so passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and improving their physical activity levels, that I decided to apply for the position.”
The Adapted Physical Activity Clinic will actually be going under a change of name, which will be unveiled at the festival.
“There's actually a helpful national council called APAC, the Adapted Physical Activities Council,” Oliver said. “And their work is closely related to what we do.”
The purpose of the name change is to differentiate the clinic from the national council, so as to not spark confusion.
“I think the vibe [At IUPUI] is pretty accommodating.” Oliver said. “And a welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities.”
“I can't really speak for every individual on campus who has a disability,” Stanton said. “But I can say its reception from an access standpoint, in terms of the general accessibility, the Campus is very poor.”
“I think it would be a really excellent opportunity if we could get outside sponsors involved to help foster the event,” Oliver said. “So that we can make the fall festival even better.”
“Right now our plans are to continue from a fundraising perspective,” Stanton said. “Exploring different fundraising possibilities, including getting more IUPUI involved in fundraising.”
Donations to the Adapted Physical Activity Clinic can be made here.
“Really, it’s opening the door up for the community of Indianapolis to learn more about our programming,” Oliver said. “And even more about disability awareness and the different organizations that offer services throughout Indianapolis.”
“As long as families view the fall festival as something that's fun and interesting for them as a good thing to do,” Stanton said. “We will continue to do it.”
Individuals interested in working with the clinic can contact Stanton at kstanton@iupui.edu or Oliver at amyoliv@iupui.edu.
Adapted Physical Activity Clinics Fall Festival Returns For Second Year
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Participants of last year’s Festival, image courtesy of the Adapted Physical Activity Clinic.
The poster for this year’s Festival, image courtesy of the Adapted Physical Activity Clinic.