July 4^th always lands just under two weeks after the official start of summer on June 21^st.  Summer is a wonderful time for family get togethers, barbequing, social events, and outdoor sports. In order to ensure everyone has as much fun as possible it’s important to keep safety and limitations in mind.

Barbequing Essentials

Regardless if barbequing means cooking outside on the grill or having chopped pork or beef brisket certain things remain constant. Nationwide provides 9 safety tips for summer barbeques. In a nutshell these include ensuring the grill is safe and operational, wearing appropriate clothing, and being prepared to put out a fire if it gets out of control. Safety should always be the number one concern. Once everything is deemed safe to operate it’s necessary to consider everything that is required for a successful barbeque.  The Spruce Eats provides a 6-part barbeque essentials checklist. Beyond the food (meat, desserts, buns), other items needed are grilling tools (spatula, tongs, glove, and grill fork), drinks, condiments and sauces, and the sides. To save space by the grill consider ordering this locking spatula/tongs combo. The unit features a stainless-steel frame with a nylon head that is heat resistant to 450°F/230°C. Simply push down to open and pull up to close. Dishwasher safe.  

Participating in Summer Sports

Whether your go to game is baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, or even volleyball the summer season is a great time of year to play. The easiest of these sports to setup and play in a matter of minutes is volleyball.  All you need is a couple of people, a ball, and something that could be used as a net. Non-regulation games can last anywhere from minutes to hours. Volleyball is also the second most popular sport in the world today. Volleyball is a sport that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. Team USA further expounds on this idea by saying, “Volleyball is a team sport which can be played by disabled and able-bodied. It can be played by youth, juniors, adults and seniors in any combination. Unlike many sports, volleyball can be played at all levels co-educationally, creating a gregarious and integrating atmosphere that is appreciated by all involved.” If volleyball is your go to sport and you’re looking to purchase a new ball check out this volleyball with bells, currently on sale. It’s perfect if you have any guests that may have any vision impairments but still want to enjoy the game.  

Independence for All

Everyone knows that July 4^th is the day to celebrate America’s independence from the British. A day to celebrate freedom be it by social gatherings, parades, and/or fireworks. Independence can also mean the ability to live your life without having to depend on the assistance of others. This could mean financial independence, learning to live on your own, or accepting and living with a disability. Statistically at any given time 1 in 5 Americans is disabled. If you know in advance that friends or family members invited to your summer function lives a bit differently than you do, then you can research and find out tips and tricks to help them feel as much an active participant as everyone else. There are many wonderful resources readily available to assist you or your loved ones in returning to a new sense of normal. This HelpGuide article is a wonderful place to start. Traveling with disabilities doesn’t have to be an issue either. A quick example for someone traveling with visual impairments  is this adjustable folding support cane. This cane is a durable, aluminum folding support cane (4 sections) with a comfortable T-handle and a Santoprene rubber tip. It has a white shaft with red on lower section. For more tips and advice for traveling with a disability check out this article on SMARTERTRAVEL. Be sure to check out other great products to help make your summer more enjoyable at independent living aids, LLC.