WINTER 2000 Volume 16 Number 1 Issued Quarterly

Articles featured in this issue:

 

(Cover feature from this issue follows.)

 

NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER

A Homegrown program for skiers with disabilities becomes a year-round, international institution

by Shelley Gillwald

 

     

Over the past fourteen years the National Ability Center, located in Park City, Utah, has become a true recreational resource, not only for the residents of Utah, but for individuals from across the country, and even around the world. Operating from its administrative office, slope-side at Park City Mountain Resort, the Ability Center provided nearly 9,000 lessons this past year, in a variety of year-round programs- a significant increase over the 45 ski lessons taught during the first winter season in 1985. As both a national and international role model, the Center promotes the concept of ability through public interaction, awareness, and education.
     It is the National Ability Center's belief that individuals with disabilities should enjoy the full range of activities that life's experiences can offer, and through these experiences gain the self-confidence, self-esteem, and motivation to become active participants in all aspects of community life. Programs offered by the Ability Center provide opportunities to overcome intimidating physical challenges, which have very positive, long-term impacts on the lives of those individuals with disabilities. Participation in sports and recreational activities generates determination and confidence that enable people to ultimately manage more successfully the barriers that are so much a part of their everyday lives. Physical exercise provided through the Ability Center's programs is also, in itself, empowering. Exercise increases strength, mobility, and endurance, and improves balance as it prevents physical atrophy, regression, and mental depression. Not only do these activities increase fitness, but through the learning of new skills, they also foster independence and a sense of freedom. With new skills, the individual with a disability can begin to achieve new goals and take pride in new accomplishments. For people with disabilities, the process of becoming more self-sufficient is fundamental to self-esteem. The Center, sharing the motto of Disabled Sports/USA-If I Can Do This, I Can Do Anything-promotes the spirit to reach one's fullest potential.
     Through the National Ability Center, individuals with disabilities have access to athletic activities and recreational opportunities often unavailable in traditional environments. Individuals often discover a multitude of barriers and are, therefore, prohibited from enjoying life experiences many take for granted. Traditional equipment lacks compatibility with certain physical needs, and adapted equipment is both prohibitively expensive and relatively obscure within mainstream environments. Additionally, instructors and coaches ordinarily do not have the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to teach adapted techniques which make recreation both possible and safe for individuals with disabilities.

 

Hitting The Slopes
The Alpine Ski and Snowboard program is by far the Ability Center's largest single program. Last year, the Center provided more than 2,700 lessons to individuals ranging from three to seventy-five years of age. Each season, from mid-November until Park City Mountain Resort closes in April, the National Ability Center offers alpine ski and snowboard programs seven days per week, either in a weekly session format over a five-week period, or on a lesson-by-lesson basis. All lessons are taught in two-hour blocks, and while most lessons are private, group lessons are also available.

 

 

     Randy Anderson/Guides leading skier who is blind 

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Mark Maziarz Tessie Rose instructs Katie Mielke who is hearing impaired in snowboarding. Equipment      For participants new to the sport, or for those lacking their own equipment, the Ability Center provides specialized equipment as part of the lesson package. Based on availability, recreational skiers may also rent equipment on a daily basis for a nominal fee. The Ability Center maintains a significant inventory of adapted equipment, ensuring its ability to meet needs of almost any student, regardless of the individual's disability. Ranging from stand-up adapted equipment such as tip clamps, spacer bars, walker skis, and outriggers, to seated mono- and bi-skis, the Center makes it a priority to stay abreast of technological advancements in the industry and frequently upgrades equipment to ensure the latest innovations are available. Instructors       Unique to the Ability Center, although not exclusive, is the practice of employing professional ski instructors who must first meet the hiring criteria of the Park City Mountain Resort Ski and Snowboard School. This helps to ensure the program is centered around a strong skiing focus and, at the same time, creates an integrated ski school where mainstream instructors apply their skills and knowledge in an adaptive environment. This, in turn, translates to a solid technical foundation for the Center's

participants. Once accepted to the Park City Mountain Resort Ski and Snowboard School, instructors working for the National Ability Center then participate in a comprehensive series of clinics covering specialized techniques and adapted equipment used to teach individuals with orthopedic, spinal cord, neuromuscular, visual and hearing impairments, as well as those with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Continuing education classes are also held weekly throughout the season, providing instructors with in-depth training in such areas as clinical assessments, intermediate and advanced instruction, and equipment maintenance.           Recognition by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) is also an important standard for the Ability Center's instructors. The majority of the instructors employed by the Center have received PSIA Certification in alpine skiing, with a number also attaining, or on track to attain adapted certification. Neil Lundberg, Assistant Program Director with the National Ability Center, is a strong advocate of dual certification in alpine and adapted skiing. Neil is Chair of the Adapted Committee in PSIA's Intermountain Division, and also sits on the National Adapted Committee. Neil has played an important role in adapted skiing receiving recognition as a PSIA discipline, and for the development of an adaptive certification system.       Another strength in the National Ability Center's teaching program is the involvement of individuals with disabilities as instructors. From mono-skiers to three trackers, the Ability Center is proud to have individuals with disabilities on staff, serving as role models and providing technical insight based on personal experience. Additionally, their ability to empathize and identify with the perceived obstacles of a skier with disabilities often provides necessary motivation for a beginner to succeed. Volunteers       Volunteers are also essential components in the National Ability Center's Ski and Snowboard program. Each season a host of volunteers participate in the Ability Center's training clinics, like the professional

instructors, learning about specialized equipment and teaching techniques available to individuals with disabilities. Volunteers do not teach, but are instead used to assist instructors with lessons, provide moral support, and facilitate social interaction. Often, volunteers provide a second set of hands, helping participants in and out of equipment or providing support when balance is an issue. Instructors often rely on volunteers to provide visual demonstrations for the participants, and with experienced volunteers they may guide and tether bi-skis, freeing the instructor to concentrate on technical aspects of the lesson.            Volunteers may also obtain adapted certification, based on experience and participation in intensive clinics. Topics for certification include tethering bi-skis, assisting mono-skis, and guiding the visually impaired. After attaining such certification, volunteers are eligible to become Ski Buddies, serving as companions to assist skiers with disabilities on the slopes, independent of lessons.       Integration of individuals with disabilities and the non-disabled population is an important aspect of the Ability Center's overall mission. Parents are encouraged to become volunteers with the hope of ultimately facilitating independent family skiing, while siblings and friends often sign-on as Peer Partners to accompany the participant during lessons. The primary goal of the Peer Partner Program, which matches school-age participants with mainstream children, is to provide socialization and companionship during weekly ski lessons. However, Peer Partners also serve as role models, assisting instructors by demonstrating techniques, and providing can do motivation for the child who has a disability. Scott Sine Allie Schneider with instructor Mike McBee.

 

An Eye On The Gold (article cont'd)

 

 

Scott Sine

U.S. Disabled Ski Team Member, Chris Waddell
of Granbury, MA, races to victory in the Mono-ski
division of the National Ability Center's
Huntsman Cup Ski Races.

       

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