Research Activity Number Nine

Activity: Go-Kart Blind Drive

Target participant group: Participants Who Are Blind

Therapeutic potential of this activity: To allow participants to leave their disability behind and be able to engage in an activity that they wouldn’t normally be able to do. To provide participants with excitement and adrenaline throughout the entire activity. To make a trusting relationship between the participant and the person guiding them. To provide participants with a fun, new experience.

What other groups may benefit from this activity?

Another group that I feel would benefit from this activity would be At-Risk Youth. This would allow at-risk youth to form a trusting relationship with another person that would be guiding them to success.

This activity may also be beneficial to participants in addictions or rehab.

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity?

This activity may not be appropriate for individuals who are not comfortable with being blindfolded and guided by someone else. This also may not be beneficial for individuals who have Autism Spectrum Disorder or Sensory Integration Disorder as it may cause too much sensory input and be overwhelming.

Activity description: This activity is meant to be done on a go-kart track so that there are secure boundaries to keep participants on the course. This activity can be done on indoor or outdoor courses. Multiple participants can go at one time, two could race each other, or one individual could go at a time; it is up to the facilitator and participants what they would like to do.

Facilitation/Instructions:

1. The facilitator should explain that the goal is for the escort to successfully guide the participant through the course by giving them directions through the microphone and earpiece.
2.  If using obstacles throughout the course, the guides and participants should be told of this at the beginning of the race.
3. The facilitator will help each participant get into their go-kart and make sure they are in there securely so no one gets hurt.
4. The facilitator will explain to each participant how the go-karts work (gas, brake, steering, etc.) and where they are located on the vehicle.
5. Once participants are ready, the facilitator will tell them to begin.
6. Once the participant has made it through the entire course, their guide will tell them they have completed the race through their earpiece.
7. The facilitator will help each individual out of their go-kart safely and help the next individual or participants into their go-karts so they can begin their race.

Resources needed: A go-kart track, go-karts, helmets, microphones and earpieces for the participant and guide to interact, a stop watch if participants will be racing one another, and obstacles if you want to make the course a little more difficult and exciting. If doing this activity with other groups of participants you will need blindfolds or goggles so that they cannot see.

Best leadership style for this activity: Delegative Leadership

Where did you find this activity?

I came up with the idea for this activity because I thought it would be a great activity to form trust between two people, as well as an exciting activity that is out of the ordinary for participants who are blind.

Where can others find more information on this activity?

I am not able to find very much information on go-kart racing for blind participants. I did find the following story of a man who is blind that explains his experience of go-karting with his son. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1305328/Elf-n-safety-Go-karting-David-Blunkett-doesnt-blind-bit-notice.html. I also found the following video of two people that are blindfolded and are racing on a course with obstacles while being directed by a guide http://www.g4tv.com/videos/39248/blindfold-go-karting-mega-dare/.