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iDID Adventure
UK
iDID Adventure
Interests: iDID Adventure Ltd is a social enterprise aimed at increasing physical and psychological resilience in disabled individuals. Our mission is to support both individuals and providers to create equal opportunities for people with disabilities in the adventure industry. We define extreme/adventure sports as activities such as: Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Snowsports , Skate/boarding, Wake-boarding and Surfing. Services Include: Adventure Activities, Events, Advocacy & Clothing We have recently been backed by Northampton University, The Young Foundation and Live Unltd to launch our services. We aim to launch our services in the Northamptonshire area in late spring.
Recent Activity
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I usually ski in a mountain man bi-ski, which consists of a bucket seat and foot rest (that also has sides to stop your feet falling off). I get strapped in, practically from head to foot, with straps around the feet, knees, thighs, waist and chest (seriously, there’s NO falling out!) Continue reading
Posted Jun 20, 2012 at iDID Online
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Diversity. This is at the core of this blog. When looking for a dictionary definition of the word I found words like ‘different’ and ‘variety’, which is exactly what these organisations need to recognise in people who want to take part in their sport. No longer should they just be focusing on the young, fit and healthy who are obvious candidates for their sport. They need to open up to the wider community of diverse individuals, many of whom have disabilities that should not prohibit them from participating. Continue reading
Posted Jun 13, 2012 at iDID Online
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There is a culture that we face which leaves people continually having to weigh up their needs as essential and non-essential, or ‘must’, ‘want’ and ‘can’t afford to want’. How do you go about making the change? I know that a while ago, my first thought would have been – I don’t want to make a fuss. Needing extra changes because something which suits a majority doesn’t suit you feels like making a fuss. Not getting them, or not getting your point across and having to demand a change you’re entitled to feels like playing a disability card.It feels like wanting special treatment and it's not. Continue reading
Posted May 23, 2012 at iDID Online
As iDID comes to the end of its research tour, we are reflecting on the experiences we have had and looking forward to the services we will provide to ensure that others can benefit from the same experiences. To say it has been emotional would be an understatement. What started... Continue reading
Posted May 16, 2012 at iDID Online
’I can’t even walk straight, how am I going to surf?!’ When Suzi told me we were going on a research trip to explore adaptive surfing, my first thought was ‘how on earth am I going to do that?!’ As much as I know how much scope there is for... Continue reading
Posted May 9, 2012 at iDID Online
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My name is Chris, I’m 21 and I’m from Northern Ireland. Firstly, I think what the iDID Adventure team is doing is both brilliant and long-overdue. I have Cerebral Palsy, so although I am quite active & sporty, I had never really considered trying skiing or adventure sports until i... Continue reading
Posted Apr 26, 2012 at iDID Online
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 Equality over the Equator - Oliver does New Zealand & Oz In November 2010 I left the UK on my own to head over to New Zealand on a working holiday visa. I had signed up to a programme through a company that sorted all the visa and provided... Continue reading
Posted Apr 18, 2012 at iDID Online
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I was born p rofoundly deaf. After going to mainstream school until I was 11 when I went to Mary Hare School – a specialist oral school for the deaf based in Newbury as a boarder. It was here that I was able to join in canoeing for the first... Continue reading
Posted Apr 11, 2012 at iDID Online
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Regular readers will know that we have had great support from adventure sport clubs at Reading University which has given us the opportunity to research and get first-hand experience of the extreme/adventure sports we are promoting. I was contacted by a rather enthusiastic guy at Reading University called Seb, who... Continue reading
Posted Apr 4, 2012 at iDID Online
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So, my 1st disabled student conference happened and as I ride back on the train i have been mulling over my experience and a resultant fallout. It seemed quite topical that it fell on the Budget day because a conference full of activists certainly had more opinions on the budget... Continue reading
Posted Mar 28, 2012 at iDID Online
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So the sun is shining (for now) and everyone is getting excited about choosing their festival destination for this year. For some, the festival season is the highlight of the year; why should this be any different for people with disabilities. For those of you who don’t know me, I... Continue reading
Posted Mar 20, 2012 at iDID Online
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I had always wanted to go flying but thought that it would be impossible until I saw an advert in a Motability magazine saying that disabled people could take flying lesson through Aerobility. Although at first I did feel rather sceptic about the idea as usually when there is something aimed at a disabled person they usually mean somebody who uses a wheelchair. Continue reading
Posted Mar 14, 2012 at iDID Online
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To the top and back...3 times and a swing! Suzi and Hannah have tried out a number of adventure sports as part of iDID’s practical research. I had been dying to give something a go; so when Suzi asked me if I would go rock climbing, did she really think... Continue reading
Posted Mar 7, 2012 at iDID Online
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iDID is all about making Adventure Sports more accessible for people with disabilities. We know, however, that this is no simple task and that we need to look at the whole picture to make Adventure Sports accessible, not just one aspect of it. That’s why we’re addressing the issue of... Continue reading
Posted Feb 29, 2012 at iDID Online
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Neither of us had been in the situation before and so we opted to experiment...The whole team were great and I was enjoying the lesson knowing I had the safety of my partner in the boat, until… ‘Suzi, you’re going to try handling the canoe on your own’. Ahem… what?! Continue reading
Posted Feb 22, 2012 at iDID Online
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A couple of months ago whilst I was skating around a somewhat empty re-fresher’s fayre, trying to amuse myself, I got talking to Hannah and Catherine at the SIFE table opposite me. While I’m not sure I can still remember what SIFE is or does, I know I managed to... Continue reading
Posted Feb 15, 2012 at iDID Online
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Julie is now becoming renowned for her leadership and motivational expertise. She epitomizes drive, motivation and passion. Having an able bodied twin sister and friends singled me out from an early age and I wanted to take part in outdoor pursuits; such as climbing in the countryside, just the same... Continue reading
Posted Feb 8, 2012 at iDID Online
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The art of delegation is such a beautiful thing; it’s a Director’s dream to know that your colleagues will support the tasks that you ask them to complete willingly and without retaliation. So naturally I was thrilled when I said ‘Hannah, I need you to go rock climbing for our... Continue reading
Posted Jan 31, 2012 at iDID Online
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I had psyched myself up for days about Horse Riding; the only previous experience I had was in Wales, where I fell flat in the mud trying to get off the horse after a short horse trekking session. As you can imagine, I wasn't excited at the prospect of re-living that humiliation but it was years ago, surely that wouldn't happen again… right?! Continue reading
Posted Jan 25, 2012 at iDID Online
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I ski with someone holding the back of my sit ski, strapped onto the back of it on the way up and guiding me in the right direction on the way down by turning the ski as I lean. What’s great is that I know I’m doing some of the work as well – they’re not taking me skiing, they’re skiing with me. To me that makes a big difference. I don’t want people telling me I’m doing something when I’m really not, I want to know that I’m doing as much of it as possible myself. Continue reading
Posted Jan 18, 2012 at iDID Online
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When there is a disability, whatever it is, one experiences extra challenges (which go without saying). I’m not really talking about flying, which I have found rather enjoyable, and I have completed many overseas trips alone in the last few years. For me it is more a question of accessibility, and the differences between the UK and Australia Continue reading
Posted Jan 18, 2012 at iDID Online
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If you're reading this and feel the same, ask yourself, ‘Do I want to be scared forever?’ iDID has renamed 2012 as the year of no fear, each and every person on the team is facing their sporting fears and we want you to join us! This year, the team will be trying horse riding, kayaking, mountaineering, archery, surfing, scuba diving, wakeboarding, skiing and many other adventure sports. What adventure sport have you always wanted to try? Continue reading
Posted Jan 11, 2012 at iDID Online
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I still didn’t turn around and run away. When we got there, I got my skates on and it was in that moment I realised I hadn’t ‘skated’ since I was about 7. That didn’t really count; I was being dragged hand in hand by my two older brothers as they zoomed along. That’s not skating, that’s how you transport luggage on wheels! Everyone else was skating with ease, looking like they were an extra from the Mighty Ducks film. I, on the other hand, was stuck to the walls, terrified... Continue reading
Posted Nov 30, 2011 at iDID Online
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I still didn’t turn around and run away. When we got there, I got my skates on and it was in that moment I realised I hadn’t ‘skated’ since I was about 7. That didn’t really count; I was being dragged hand in hand by my two older brothers as they zoomed along. That’s not skating, that’s how you transport luggage on wheels! Everyone else was skating with ease, looking like they were an extra from the Mighty Ducks film. I, on the other hand, was stuck to the walls, terrified... Continue reading
Posted Nov 30, 2011 at iDID Online
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I am happy to say that we are amidst a disability revolution in the UK and (as it appears) in RUSU also. Firstly, I shall endeavour to share my experience from exploring societies within the university, for the sake of a variety of disabilities and learning styles. I couldn’t help but wonder how scary the idea of approaching a society was if you had M.E. and your cognitive function was sometimes slow, or if you were dyslexic or partially sighted... Continue reading
Posted Nov 24, 2011 at iDID Online