Missoula gathers at Silver Park to highlight accessible recreation

MISSOULA, Mont. — Community members, disability advocates and local leaders gathered at Silver Park on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and focus on inclusion.

The event was Summit Independent Living's annual ADA picnic. It included adaptive recreation demonstrations, community resources, music and remarks from Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis and other disability advocates.

Thirty-six years after the Americans with Disabilities Act became law, advocates said inclusion was still evolving. They used a game of cornhole to show what accessibility can look like in everyday life.

One of the main attractions was the debut of "all-abilities cornhole." Summit Independent Living specialist Tyler Stocich created the custom-built device.

It let players aim and launch cornhole bags with remote controls. Organizers said that made the game more accessible for people with a range of disabilities.

"It's just that you're not able to participate equally in certain sports and activities. That's what this is all about, not just including us to include us. Including is to be competitive as well. You know, we want to, find the joy and freedom in this type of thing just like everybody else. So that's what we're trying to do," said Tyler Stocich.

Organizers said the picnic also gave people a chance to share tools, technology and resources designed to make everyday activities more accessible.

They said they hoped ideas like this would help make recreation something more people could enjoy, regardless of ability.