Michigan DNR 2011 Demo Days coming June 11, Sept. 10 to Lower Peninsula

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Accessibility Advisory Council (AAC) will be holding two accessibility demonstration days in 2011. Demonstration days give persons with disabilities, outdoor recreation professionals and equipment vendors the chance to meet and provide demonstrations for equipment designed to increase accessibility to the outdoors.

The two dates planned in the Lower Peninsula in 2011 are:
June 11 - “Tips-up for the Troops” at Kensington Metropark and “Accessibility Demo Days.” This event will focus on all areas of recreation and accessible equipment. Contact Rick Briggs at 810-229-5880 or rbriggs@biami.org for specifics on the event. To sponsor this event or register as a vendor, contact Daryl Domke at 616-363-2140 or ddomke@sst-mail.com. Vendor registration deadline is Tuesday, June 1, 2011. Everyone (including vendors and sponsor) will need to pay the entrance fees at Kensington Metropark ($5 day pass).

Sept. 10 - “DNR Accessibility Demo Day” at the Michigan State University, Demmer Center, East Lansing, MI, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. This event will focus on all areas of recreation and accessible equipment. For more information or to sponsor this event or register as a vendor, contact Daryl Domke at 616-363-2140 or ddomke@sst-mail.com. Vendor registration deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011. Vendors will need to pay the $35 vendor fee to the Demmer Center and complete the Demmer Center vendor application.

Types of adaptive equipment may include but is not limited to:

• Mobility assistive devices for recreation, hunting and fishing; 4 wheel-drive wheelchairs and ATV side by side
• Hand-cycling and biking
• Shooting technology
• Crossbows, modified bows and compound bows (All bows must comply with DNR regulations.)
• Adaptive fishing equipment
• Kayaking/canoeing
• Accessible hunting blinds
• Skiing – water and snow
• Pickup truck and van conversions
• Other adaptive equipment for outdoor recreation

For more information, contact AAC member Daryl Domke at 616-363-2140 or ddomke@sst-mail.com. Additional information can be found on the web at www.michigan.gov/dnraccessibility.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.