{"id":22907,"date":"2026-11-11T12:30:48","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T16:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/?p=22907"},"modified":"2026-11-11T13:19:54","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T17:19:54","slug":"sliding-beyond-barriers-why-the-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-matters-to-the-canadian-ski-patrol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/2026\/11\/sliding-beyond-barriers-why-the-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-matters-to-the-canadian-ski-patrol\/","title":{"rendered":"Sliding beyond barriers: Why the International Day of Persons with Disabilities matters to the Canadian Ski Patrol"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Dan Elliot, National Manager \u2013 On Snow Training (dan.elliot@skipatrol.ca<\/a>)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Every December 3, the global community pauses to observe the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities<\/a>. Established to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities, this day carries immense weight for the Canadian Ski Patrol.<\/p>\n

As patrollers, our primary mission is safety, service, and the promotion of enjoyment on the snow. But if we take a closer look at who we serve on the slopes and trails across Canada, inclusion and accessibility are direct reflections of our day-to-day commitment to the snow sport community.<\/p>\n

A vibrant network: CADS and London Track 3 programs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Winter sports are for everyone. On any given weekend, you will see sit-skis, outriggers, visually impaired snowboarders guided by dedicated instructors, and individuals with neurodivergent needs mastering the chairlifts. This thriving adaptive snow sports scene is powered by incredible grassroots organizations operating right on our home hills.<\/p>\n

Across Canada, Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS)<\/a> delivers specialized programs and training across multiple divisions, ensuring that anyone with a physical or cognitive disability can experience the freedom of the slopes. Similarly, programs like the London Track 3 Adaptive Snow School<\/a> \u2013 and other adaptive snow sport initiatives nationwide \u2013 focus on empowering those with disabilities to discover their potential through winter sports.<\/p>\n

As patrollers, we are the stewards of these shared spaces. Organizations like CADS and London Track 3 are our vital partners on the mountain. By understanding their operations, we can better support their students and instructors, ensuring that a crisp winter day is safely accessible to all.<\/p>\n

Patrolling tips: Assessment and treatment for adaptive athletes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When an incident occurs on the hill, our first aid training remains the bedrock of our response. However, assessing and treating a patient with a disability requires us to adapt our communication and physical approach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommunication and consent\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Talk to the patient first:<\/strong> Always address the patient directly, rather than speaking exclusively to their instructor, guide, or family member.<\/p>\n

Establish a communication baseline:<\/strong> For non-verbal or neurodivergent patients, ask their companion or instructor for the best way to communicate. Use simple, direct language and binary choices if needed.<\/p>\n

Ask before touching:<\/strong> Some individuals experience sensory sensitivities or have spasming risks. Always explain what you are about to do before performing a physical assessment or applying a splint.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSecondary assessment adaptations\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Establish \"baseline\" vs. \"acute\" presentation:<\/strong> For patients with chronic conditions (such as cerebral palsy or a previous spinal injury), motor function or sensation may naturally differ from standard anatomy. Always ask: \"Is this feeling\/movement normal for you, or is this new since the fall?\"<\/p>\n

Identify communication devices:<\/strong> Look for specialized medical IDs or communication cards that adaptive athletes often carry in their jacket pockets to outline their medical history or emergency contacts.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tManaging adaptive equipment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Treat equipment as mobility:<\/strong> A sit-ski, tether, or specialized outrigger is an extension of the patient\u2019s independence. Never alter or dismantle adaptive equipment unless it is necessary for life-saving care or safe extrication.<\/p>\n

Secure the gear:<\/strong> When transferring a patient to a standard rescue toboggan, ensure their adaptive gear is carefully secured and transported down the mountain with them. Separating an athlete from their mobility devices can cause unnecessary distress.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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The goal: A barrier-free mountain and trail<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The CSP has a proud history of helping Canadians safely enjoy the outdoors. By embracing the goals of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and actively supporting programs like CADS and London Track 3, we reinforce a fundamental truth: the mountains belong to all of us.<\/p>\n

This December 3, let\u2019s celebrate the incredible resilience, skill, and passion of the adaptive snow sports community. As you gear up for your next shift, carry these tips and values with you to ensure our hills remain safe, welcoming, and barrier-free for every single person who loves the snow.<\/p>\n

Have a safe and inclusive season, everyone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Dan Elliot, National Manager \u2013 On Snow Training (dan.elliot@skipatrol.ca) Every December 3, the global community pauses to observe the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Established to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3206,"featured_media":22842,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[552,572,217],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-552","category-november-2026","category-public-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22907"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22907\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22955,"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22907\/revisions\/22955"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skipatrol.ca\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}