"Universal" Elements

Universal elements are elements designed to be accessible to all people, regardless of physical mobility and/or ability. For our purposes, we find our universal elements particularly useful for those participants who are in wheelchairs and students who are a part of our special education program at the Cooperative Middle School and have medical conditions such as Cerebral Palsy or Muscular Dystrophy. The Robinson Ropes Course has three fully accessible high ropes elements (Universal Catwalk; Universal Inclined Ramp and Flying Squirrel); and five low ropes elements (Universal Teeter Totter; Universal Multi-Vine; Universal Nitro Swing; Spider's Web and the Porthole.) In addition, many of our activities can be adapted to fit the physical and/or emotional needs of each participant.

 

The term universal was first applied to this type of programming by the Browne Center, an affiliate of the University of New Hampshire, to describe their commitment to creating programs designed to fully integrate people from the entire spectrum of physical abilities. Calling the course universal implies a level of equality of experience; challenges will not be the same for all, but they will be available to all participants. 

For more information about universal challenge courses, please contact any of the following:

·  Browne Center 603.868.1772 or brownecenter.com  

·  Northeast Passage 603.862.0070 or nepassage.org

·  Outdoor Explorations 781.395.4999 or outdoorexplorations.org