From the success of My Bike, Variety created two other adaptive equipment programs after listening to parents explain the critical needs of their kids that were not being met. None of this equipment is funded through insurance, and Variety must raise every dollar to provide it for families so a donation of any amount truly makes a difference, representatives said.

Variety’s three core programs are:

Variety’s My Bike® Program, which provides Rifton adaptive bikes (with stationary stands and Rifton accessories) to eligible children with disabilities, so they can experience the joy, freedom and belonging that comes from riding a bike;

Variety’s My Stroller® Program, which provides Convaid EZ Rider adaptive strollers to eligible kids to use for “on-the-go” mobility or general safety and inclusion in the community;

Variety’s My Voice® Program, which provides a communication device (i.e., a restricted iPad with a prescribed communication app) to eligible children with a communication disorder to give them a voice and enable them to express their thoughts, feelings, wants and needs.

Interested families can visit varietypittsburgh.org/applynow/ to learn more.

“What My Bike has demonstrated is that when the mobility needs of children with disabilities are prioritized it is possible to meet something so fundamental to childhood as ensuring that all children can ride a bike and not be excluded – regardless of their disability,” Variety officials said.

Over the years. Variety has expanded its programs from an original 10-county service area in southwestern PA to its current service area of 59 Pennsylvania counties.

Since November 2012, nearly 8,300 adaptive bikes, adaptive strollers, and communication devices have been presented to eligible kids throughout Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia (surpassing $12.5 million worth of adaptive equipment).