Research and Service Learning Opportunities in Godwin Hall

Empowerment3/Overcoming Barriers

Research & Service Learning Opportunities

Contact: Dr. Moran (morante@jmu.edu) if you are interested

FITNESS PROGRAMS (Tuesday and/or Thursday Late Afternoon/Evenings):  Godwin Hall

In this program all participants with disabilities wear heart rate monitors and pedometers during their workouts.  Research assistants will have opportunities to work one on one with participants and build appropriate workouts to meet their individualized goals.  We are looking at whether their heart rate/exercise intensity is influenced by the type of activity they are engaged (whether they are using a traditional exercise machine, using the X-box Kinect OR whether they are doing fun physical activities or games, but don’t realize they are working the same muscles or achieving the same goal as they would on a machine).

Assistance needed: Ensuring appropriate data collection during activities; maintenance of HR monitors/pedometers; engaging with participants during workouts; assisting in design of individual workouts.

Quadriciser Study (M-F between 8am-2pm; Tuesday and/or Thursday Afternoons/Evenings) - In local schools

As part of this study, participants with physical disabilities/limitations will utilize the Quadriciser a specified number of days/week for 30-45 minute sessions.  {The Quadriciser® is a passive or active, isometric, automated physical therapy system designed to manipulate the upper and lower body extremities with timed sessions and variable speed control from a static floor position. It is the first and only total body automated therapy system that offers both active and passive therapy, bi-directional manipulation, and multiple seated and lying therapeutic positions.} – www.quadriciser.com

Assistance needed: Assistance fitting each participant to the machine; conducting baseline measurements; assistance administering individual protocol each session; assistance with in-session adjustments; ensuring proper data collection.

More opportunities! Continue reading! .......

LEARN TO CREATE APPROPRIATE EXERCISE/REHAB/THERAPY PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, AUTISM, AND SENSORY) - Times TBA: 

This opportunity will allow students, who are interested in PT, personal training, or specifically working with individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn how to create and conduct appropriate exercise/rehab/therapy programs for individuals with disabilities.  Individuals will get the opportunity to conduct baseline assessments, design potential programs, and gain experience implementing appropriate protocols to address the unique needs of each participant.  

Assistance needed: Conducting baseline fitness assessments; creating appropriate programs; implementing programs with individuals at least once a week; conducting periodic assessments to track progress; record data each session.

“TRYOUTS” (FOR ANY INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS)

• Thursday, September 3rd from 4:30 - 7:30pm
• Sunday, September 6th from 12:30 - 3:00pm
• Tuesday, September 8th from 4:30 - 7:00pm

ALL SESSIONS IN GODWIN 353   - **Contact Dr. Moran if you plan to attend**

barriers to community based participation (days are flexible according to your schedule)

Interested students will assist with collection of survey data and get the opportunity to interview parents/guardians of children, adolescents, or adults with disabilities. No Experience necessary!

Research Assistant (days are flexible according to your schedule) - Stats background preferred not necessary

Duties could include:

·         Assisting Dr. Moran with analysis of data collected from previous waves of Overcoming Barriers;

·         Reviewing incoming data from this wave;

·         Assisting with weekly testing of specific program participants

Interested in Mentoring an Individual with Disabilities in Physical Activity Settings?

JMU’s Overcoming Barriers program affords students (from all majors) the opportunity to mentor children and adults with disabilities within a physical activity setting.  Overcoming Barriers offers a wide variety of physical activity programs (offered on campus, in local schools, and/or in the community) in which individuals with disabilities can participate.  Participants will be matched with a mentor, YOU, who will work with them one-on-one and provide necessary support during their specific program/setting. 

Experience IS NOT NECESSARY to mentor, although experienced mentors can also work independently with participants in a community setting (i.e. take them golfing, assist in gymnastics program, etc.).    Mentors will receive ongoing training and support from our Overcoming Barriers staff.

You will be assigned an individual to mentor based on your schedule, your physical activity interests/experience, as well as your level of comfort/experience working with individuals with disabilities.  Your Minimum Commitment is once a week for 1 ½ -2 hrs. 

Our Initial Mentor Training Meetings are as follows – Please indicate which meeting you plan to attend:

Sunday, September 6th – 4:00-5:30pm

Tuesday, September 8th – 8:00-9:30pm

Thursday, September 10th – 7:00-8:30pm

All Meetings are held in Godwin Hall, Room 353

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please fill out the mentor intake form –https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VynymF5_VtjQkD7oc2L7k1iG3u_VIrU__m6QDN_Y1lc 

If you would like to learn more about our Overcoming Barriers program, please contact Overcoming Barriers at overcomingbarriers@jmu.edu .