Advanced Orientation and Mobility: Kinesthetic Awareness and Proprioception

Wednesday, August 23 - 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

What is Kinesthetic Awareness and Proprioception?

Kinesthetic awareness, or muscle memory, and proprioception are two very integral skills used in orientation and mobility. Kinesthetic awareness allows you to be aware of how you move your body and helps you control and move different body parts. Certain changes in body position, such as a slope in the ground, can first be felt through the muscles. With this information from your body, you may be able to determine you are at a driveway or a curb. Proprioception is your ability to know where your body is in space. Being aware of how your body is moving through space helps you determine where you are and how to get to where you are going.

How Does Riding a Bike Help My Orientation and Mobility?

It has been shown that riding a bicycle can increase your balance and your ability to walk, which can also have a significant effect on Orientation and Mobility. Riding a bicycle encourages the development of kinesthetic awareness so you can modulate your body. We have to be aware of how our arms and legs are moving together to power the bicycle. Both these skills can be applied to Orientation and Mobility.

How can I Practice These Skills?

To help you practice using kinesthetic awareness and proprioception, we have arranged a tandem biking exercise with Dare2Tri through the city of Chicago. Dare2Tri enhances the lives of individuals with disabilities through activities such as swimming, biking and running.

****Please note: This is a highly active workshop. Please review the following questions to understand if this workshop is right for you.

• Have you been traveling independently, consistently with a cane or guide dog?
• Do you have any medical concerns preventing you from being able to ride a bike?
• Are you able to mount a bike?
• Are you comfortable soliciting assistance from, or communicating with, people whom you don’t know personally?

Our Itinerary

10:00 am – Meet at Wilson Avenue Beach parking lot (Dare2Tri trailer) @600 W. Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640

10:30-11:30 am – First group (3 people) tandem bike with Dare2Tri pilots

12:00-1:00 pm – Second group (3 people) tandem bike with Dare2Tri pilots

1:30 pm – Schedule ride pick-up

Special notes:

• Not all riders will be riding at the same time. If you would like a specific riding time, please let us know and we can let you know ahead of time which time slot you will be in. You can choose either of the times below:
  10:30 – 11:30 am
  12:00-1:00 pm
• Please bring a bagged lunch to eat at the beach while waiting for the other riders.
• If you are using paratransit, please schedule your pick-up for between 1:00-1:30pm

Registration is required for this workshop. Space is limited to 6 participants.
To register please call Kathy Austin at (312)236-8569 or email Kathy Austin.