Beginning August 7th, 2024, Easterseals Iowa and Athene North Shore Recreation Area located at Easter Lake will enter into a partnership to provide a selection of Assistive Technology devices to the public. These devices will be located at Athene North Shore and the team there will have the ability to loan them out to their guests.
The Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Center has selected a sampling of several assistive technology devices from their current inventory of over 2,000 devices and items. Assistive Technology (AT) is any device that allows a person to perform a task that they are unable to do without assistance. The initial sampling of AT devices at Athene North Shore will include Urban Walking Poles that help strengthen the core muscles as you walk and Active Hands that assist with sustained grasp on things like kayak paddles. There will also be two adaptive tricycles, a Hoyt Running Chair, a variety of flotation deices, a Chalk and Walk Roll that allows individuals using wheelchairs to create sidewalk chalk art, and adaptive fishing gear!
The goal of the partnership between the Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Center and Athene North Shore is to enhance the experience of guests who are enjoying the recreation activities available at Easter Lake. Tracy Keninger, Director of the Assistive Technology Center and Rural Solutions programs at Easterseals Iowa shared, “We are incredibly excited to enter into this partnership with Athene North Shore. Polk County Conservation is leading the way with accessibility in public recreation areas and we are thrilled to support this work to ensure that all Iowans have access to fun and engaging outdoor activities that promote the health and wellbeing of mind and body. The Assistive Technology that Easterseals Iowa is providing will enhance the experience of the thousands of visitors expected to enjoy Athene North Shore!”
Athene North Shore Recreation Area currently offers a variety of standard and adaptive water and land-based outdoor recreation equipment that may be rented for use from the concession building. Devon Boes, Program and Outreach Coordinator for Athene North Shore Recreation Area shares, “We are so excited to partner with Easterseals Iowa to further expand our equipment library to continue to provide access to the outdoors for individuals of all abilities”. Equipment will be available to check out for free at the concession building during operational hours for the remainder of our season, which ends September 2, 2024.
Visit the “news” section of the North Shore website at NorthShoreRecArea.org for more information about this partnership and the equipment that will be available for use.
Easterseals Iowa is leading the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, their families and communities. Through 19 innovative program lines, Easterseals Iowa is enriching education, enhancing health, expanding employment and elevating community for those we serve. Easterseals.com/ia
Athene North Shore Recreation Area is striving to be the most accessible park in the country. Opened in May 2024, Athene North Shore is a place where you can achieve something monumental or simply make a special memory. It’s a place the entire community can connect with one another and the natural world.
