Autism Organization To Host 4th Annual Bike Riding Program

Upstate NY Families for Effective Autism Treatment (UNYFEAT), is proud to announce they will again be hosting the 4th Annual “Lose The Training Wheels” Bike Riding Program to be held at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Gordon Field House, One Lomb Memorial Drive, from August 8^th – 12^th, 2011. The acclaimed program uses unique adapted bicycles to train children to ride their conventional bicycles without training wheels. “Lose the Training Wheels” provides specialized bicycle riding equipment and a team of experts who oversee the program. Each biker is assigned one 75-minute session per day for five consecutive days. Volunteers assist the trainers with each child. On site training is available for volunteers who must register in advance. The goal is to change the lives of children by teaching them a skill that will build self-confidence, provide inclusion with their peers, and give them a lifetime of fun and exercise!

Lose The Training Wheels™ is more than just a bike-riding program. For many children with disabilities, it’s a seemingly impossible task they can typically master in less than a week’s time. Within days of learning to ride, many children exhibit independent behaviors for the first time ever. This achievement creates a gateway of opportunity, helping them gain assurance and self-reliance in many other aspects of their lives. Medical studies have proven that children with disabilities who learn to ride a bike experience improved mental and physical health.

80% of Lose the Training Wheels participants have learned to ride a bike within a 5-day period. UNYFEAT participants have risen above this percentage each of our prior years.

Once again, filled to capacity, UNYFEAT seeks volunteers during the program to serve as spotters by providing physical support and emotional encouragement. Spotters are requested to commit to one session or a total of approximately 1.5 hours of each morning or afternoon, weekdays from August 8^th – 12^th. This level of commitment is beneficial for the biker during the training process as well as enabling the volunteer to see a child progress through the week of camp and celebrate success with them. Volunteers need to run to be able to keep up with the riders. Volunteers must sign up in advance in order to participate and may find materials to do so at the UNYFEAT website at www.unyfeat.org. Proof of community service hours is available at the end of the week-long camp.

UNYFEAT appreciates donations that can be offered towards the event. Items of need would be bottled water, t-shirts and sponsorships. Inquiries about sponsorships or volunteering may be directed to (585) 248-9011 or by email at contact@unyfeat.org. UNYFEAT is the leading not-for-profit advocacy organization for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families in the Greater Rochester Area. UNYFEAT’s mission is to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their families, by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life.