Mission // Organization // Members // Programs

AMBUCS MISSIONCreating mobility & independence for people with disabilities

Accomplished through a variety of national programs plus unique

projects at the chapter level

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORYCurrently, there more than 5,500

AMBUCS™ members spread throughout more than 130 chapters in over 30 states – and we’re growing!

Founded in 1922 as American Business ClubsNow known as acronym AMBUCS

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP Men & women who make a difference in their

communities Local & national service programs generate

satisfaction and pride Innovate service opportunities for people who want

to help in their community Work together to contribute to chapter activities and

goals Learn new skills that contribute to professional

development Make valuable contacts and develop essential

leadership skills

NATIONAL PROGRAMSAMBUCS ScholarsAmBility

AmTrykeRamp BuildingAccessible Playgrounds

AMBUCS SCHOLARS Largest single private source of educational grants for

therapists in the United States Since 1955, AMBUCS chapters awarded more than

$7.6 million in scholarships to over 14,000 students! Eligible majors: physical therapy, occupational

therapy, speech pathology and audiology Applications available online from Mid-January until

April 15 annually

AMBUCS SCHOLARS Over $150,000 is

awarded annually with awards range from $500 to $1,500 annually, with one two-year award in the amount of $6,000

Award monies are deposited each semester to the student’s credit account with the financial aid office of the educational institution

AMBILITY Combines the words

AMBUCS and mobility Focuses on the AMBUCS

mission (creating mobility & independence for people with disabilities)

Achieved through: AmTryke therapeutic

tricycles Ramp Building Accessible Playgrounds

CLOSER LOOK: AMTRYKE Therapeutic

Helps individuals with Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism and many other diagnosis

Builds stamina, endurance, strength an self-esteem in children and adults

Fun! Accomplished while having fun versus the stuffy old

exercises that are tough to keep kids and adults motivated to do

Lets the riders experience independence and the ability to ride a bike with family and peers

AMTRYKE HISTORY In early 1990, Sue Haywood, a Physical Therapist,

spoke to Texas’ Longview AMBUCS Chapter about an expensive hand-driven tricycle she used that enabled her patients to experience the fun of riding a bike.

“The AmTryke evolved out of a basic need,” Haywood said. “I needed something that would

work and that I could really obtain.”

The Longview-built AmTryke readily fit a 3 year-old or a 14 year-old.

Each AmTryke was specially designed for each child.

AMTRYKE HISTORY… CONT’D The Longview AMBUCS

took up the challenge and began building a design by Sue and an engineer name Gene Allen.

During that time, the Longview chapter provided the Trykes via a mini-factory where they cut, bent, welded, painted and assembled all the parts except for the pedals and seat.

AMTRYKE HISTORY… CONT’D

To make this wonderful Tryke available to more children with special needs, the Longview chapter introduced the AmTryke at the 1990 AMBUCS National Conference. The response was terrific and the Longview chapter began to provide Trykes to other chapters!

In 1994, National AMBUCS Inc., took over the responsibility and created AmTryke, Inc.

To date, AMBUCS has provided over 15,000 AmTrykes around the world.

TYPES OF AMTRYKES AmTryke therapeutic

tricycles now come in many sizes and models for all kinds of ages and abilities.

All are developed and manufactured by AmTryke LLC.

Three Main Categories: Hand & Foot Cycles Foot Cycles Hand Cycles

AMTRYKE PLACEMENTS Potential riders can visit an Evaluation Site for a free

fitting or have their therapists work with the Resource Center to select an appropriate AmTryke model and any needed accessories

Obtaining an AmTryke: Determine if the individual’s medical insurance will cover

cost Order and pay for an AmTryke directly from

AmTrykeStore.org Ask local AMBUCS chapter to fund the AmTryke

Chapters fundraise to support these requests If no local chapter, rider is placed on National Wish List

RAMP BUILDING Many AMBUCS chapters

build ramps to create accessible homes and businesses

A detailed ramp building guide is available online at www.ambucs.org/RampBuildingGuide

ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUNDS

Some AMBUCS chapters participate in building or refurbishing playgrounds so they can be used by all children

These chapters believe that it is important that no child be excluded from the interaction and socialization that takes place by playing with their peers

OUR LOCAL CHAPTER This is where you talk about your local chapter Etc Etc

Etc Etc Etc

OUR LOCAL CHAPTER This is where you talk

about your chapter’s special projects & activities that take place on a local level Etc

Etc

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Consider joining our

chapter as a member List your chapter’s meeting

time and location here List your chapter’s dues

structure here List your chapter’s

attendance requirements here

Donate funding for AmTrykes or other projects AMBUCS in a charitable

organization under IRS 501(c)(3) regulations and provides tax receipts