Medium: Organization

Weblink: http://www.americandancewheels.org/

Summary: The organization provides opportunities for people who use wheelchairs to participate in formal dancing which may include ballroom dancing, samba, salsa, tango, foxtrot, and much more! Both standing and sitting dancers adapt and modify dance routines for both the standing partner and sitting partner to dance fluently and comfortably. The organization conducts lessons and will then perform in various settings and stages all across the country. This form of rehabilitation is often fast paced that require both standing and sitting partner to have high engagement and focus to perform.

One outcome that this organization provides is the social aspect in dancing with another person. The partners are encouraged to dance connected by holding hands and build a sense of trust while dancing. Another outcome is building confidence in one self as the person performs in front of an audience. The final outcome is to allow the participants to dance with a variety of partners throughout the session so the participant is flexible and response since each person is different which requires different adaptations to the dance routines.

Medium: Journal article

Weblink: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09638288.2016.1175037

Summary: Participants with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) participated in a therapeutic dance program in hopes to measure improvement in participant’s physical, social, and emotional well-being. 10 participants attend the dance session who reported higher self-esteem and improved in physical, social, and emotional well-being. The patients also reported an improvement of quality of life. Participants with PD final reported a better self-esteem and improved social interaction.

The description of the dance class highlighted that it was important to do basic steps in sequential order. The best way in teaching dance steps is to first demonstrate the dance step, mirror the step as the participant does the dance steps, and then progressively let the participant do the steps alone. Another outcome was to plan the dance steps and make sure they are modified so the participant is comfortable with the dance. It is important to make sure the participant experiences no discomfort or the participant may lose interest in dancing.

Medium: Written tutorial

Weblink: http://users.rowan.edu/~conet/APE/dance-modifications.html

Summary: The link provides various methods and strategies for leaders to keep in mind when instructing a variety of populations with different disabilities. The link provides notes and instructions for populations that include people with developmental disabilities, attention –deficit disorder (ADD), emotional disturbances, hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, physical impairments, and visual impairments.

As a facilitator begins an activity, the leader must keep in mind that different disability conditions require different approaches and techniques. Although there are general guidelines to follow when leading an activity, one must always be prepared and flexible to different situations. Another outcome is to allow the participants the opportunity to provide more information that the leader should be aware of before starting the activity. Again there are numerous conditions that the facilitator should be aware of before starting the activity. Another outcome would be to select appropriate dances for specific disabilities. Some dance routines are not appropriate for some disability populations. For example if someone with developmental disabilities with limited use of arms and legs, the dance routine should be at a slow pace so the participant does not feel pressure to have to keep up with the pace of a fast dance.