IKAN Bowling

Activity: IKAN Bowling

Target participant group: Pretty much any age group and anyone in a wheelchair can participate.

Therapeutic potential of this activity: This helps with getting to know how your wheelchair works, and is a great social gathering place.

What other groups may benefit from this activity?: Anyone else is able to benefit from bowling, and they don't have to been in a wheelchair to be able to bowl. This activity is just focusing on someone in a wheelchair, but other people with a disability can benefit from bowling also.

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity?: Someone with a behavioral problem may have trouble with bowling because they do have the potential to end up throwing bowling balls at someone, or causing other things to fly around the room.

Activity description: The IKAN bowler works just like an able-body bowler bowls, where they set up, approach, release, and watch the ball go down the lane. The device attaches to a power wheelchair and with the assistance of a caddy, can bowl alongside anyone else around them. The bowler can control the speed, direction, and timing of the release.

Resources needed: A power wheelchair, IKAN bowler, Universal mount, and a bowling alley are needed.

Best leadership style for this activity: Best leadership style would be to teach the bowler how to bowl using the IKAN bowler, and then just let them practice until they get the hang of it. The best way for them to get better is by practicing, and leading them in the right direction. Keep on encouraging them until they can get used to it.

Where did you find this activity?: I found this activity online at recreationtherapy.com where they have a whole bunch of different ways for therapeutic bowling. IKAN bowl is not the only one out there.

Where can others find more information on this activity?: I bet there is more information out there on IKAN bowl, especially by the makers of this equipment, ikanbowler.com.