How can we make archery more accessible
Archery can be made accessible for people with various disabilities by making adaptations to equipment, techniques, and the environment. Here’s how the sport can be made more inclusive:
Archery for Wheelchair Users
Adapted Equipment:
Use lightweight, shorter bows for ease of handling.
Custom mounts can hold the bow in place if a user has limited upper-body strength or mobility.
Stabilizers can be shortened or adapted to account for a seated position.
Seated Shooting:
Adjust shooting lines and targets to allow for shooting while seated.
Wheelchair-friendly stands and frames can help stabilize the archer or the equipment.
Accessible Ranges:
Ensure the shooting range has smooth, level surfaces and wide lanes to accommodate wheelchairs.
Targets should be at adjustable heights for both standing and seated positions
At this moment we are unable to offer catering at Stoke Mandeville, but the onsite canteen does offer food option during lunch times.
If you intend to bring an assistance dog a copy of the passport / documentation must be forwarded to us. NO OTHER DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON SITE.
We are requesting that the money is either transferred directly to our account one week prior to the weekend or if not possible paid by cash at the weekend.
Booking for our training weekends opens 1 month before the weekend; book today to avoid missing out
Archery for Individuals with Limb Loss
Prosthetics and Assistive Devices:
Specially designed prosthetics for holding the bow or drawing the string.
Use of a mouth tab for individuals missing an arm: The string is drawn back with the teeth.
Adaptive straps or hooks can attach to the prosthetic or the body for stability.
Bow Modifications:
Modify trigger releases to allow for thumb or shoulder operation rather than fingers.
Design mounts or harnesses to support the bow if both hands are unavailable
Techniques:
Archers with missing limbs can use alternative shooting styles, such as foot shooting or using their shoulder for support
Meet the team who are making Archery more accessible for all
Archery for Blind or Visually Impaired Individuals
Tactile Equipment:
Use tactile sights that allow blind archers to feel the aim using their sense of touch.
A “foot marker” on the ground helps establish a consistent shooting stance and direction.
Sound-based Assistance:
A guide or coach can provide verbal cues for alignment and aiming.
Use of auditory signals (e.g., sound targets) that emit tones when hit can enhance feedback.
Guide Frames:
Stands or tactile frames can help orient the bow and ensure a consistent draw.
Para-Archery Categories:
Visually impaired competitions (e.g., VI1 for completely blind athletes) allow for sighted spotters to assist within the rules.
We also offer advice on personal equipment such as stools and wheelchairs as well as signposting towards classification. These are done outside the coaching programme.
We hope you will find something of interest in here to encourage you to come along. If you have any questions or requests then make them known.
We are a friendly bunch – really!
Types Of Adaption
Our vision is to enrich the lives of everyone by making archery accessible.
Bow
Bow String
Release Aid
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Make sure to speak with our team
Our team are here to provide the best level of care and assistance to all level of archer, whether that be first time novices or experts, we aim to make our classes accessible for everyone.
We are more than happy to help answer any questions or queries you may have, so get in touch and fill in the contact form where we aim to respond promptly.
