Adaptive Skating Provides Opportunities for All On the Ice

By Mary Johanson

As I walked into my rink in Ann Arbor, Michigan seven years ago, I assumed I was headed for just another Saturday morning Learn to Skate USA class. I had no idea how my life was about to change.

On this particular Saturday morning, I met a young skater named Grace who would challenge how I thought about coaching, open my eyes to unknown possibilities in skating, and remind me of the pure joy of skating.

Grace is on the autism spectrum. She spent many mornings in the stands watching her younger brother learn to skate. On the morning I met her, she convinced her mother to register her for classes. Having tried other sports with varying success, the family was not sure what to expect. They were nervous about how Grace would do in a group environment as well as whether the other skaters in the group would welcome her.

As Grace took the ice for the first time, she displayed some nerves as many first-time skaters do, but it was not long before Grace found herself marching and gliding across the ice. While she achieved more success that day, her smile got wider and wider. She was exuding a sense of pride and pure joy that I had not seen in many years teaching learn to skate classes. Everyone in the group felt her infectious enthusiasm. Not only did the other skaters in the group accept Grace, they embraced her and allowed her larger than life personality to lift the excitement of the group.

I will never forget the moment when I looked up into the stands and found Grace’s mom, who had tears of joy streaming down her face as her daughter had finally found a place to belong and feel successful working at her own pace. Suddenly that Saturday morning felt like one of those important and pivotal moments where you realize you can make an impact.

Grace has since gone on to represent the United States at the Special Olympics World pre-Games in Austria and will head to Russia for the World Games in 2022. When asked about why she loves skating, her response is always, “It makes me feel free.” Grace’s life—and that of her family and mine—will be forever connected and altered for the better. That is the power of skating.

The Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club started its Adaptive Skating programs soon after Grace entered our lives. As a club, we realized we wanted to do more and reach further into our local community.

We launched two programs: an Adaptive Skating class and a Special Olympics competitive team. Since implementing the program, we have averaged 20 skaters in a class and have 10-12 Special Olympics athletes who compete regularly. These programs have not only brought more skaters through our doors but have really made a positive impact on our club, it’s members, and our rink.

Why Adaptive Skating?

The greatest benefit of any new skating program is bringing more people into your rink. Ideally, more customers mean more revenue. Sometimes Adaptive Programs don’t bring big money, but you expose more people to what you have to offer. Family members of Adaptive skaters will be interested in joining learn to skate classes and word of mouth will reach a larger population.

The interest will give you the potential to increase membership and nextstep programming that will contribute to club and rink revenue, including private lessons, synchronized skating teams, hockey programs, and more.

Adaptive programming gives you the opportunity to network with community organizations you never had the chance to before, like veterans’ organizations and your local Special Olympics chapter. The community outreach increases your presence in the area, but more importantly, provides club members a feeling of pride and philanthropy.

Along with all the physical benefits any sport provides its athletes, we have found the more profound benefits of Adaptive Skating are social and emotional. At our program, one parent has said that her daughter, who competes with Special Olympics, is no longer the “special needs” girl at school but now is known as the special girl who gets to compete all over. Another parent reported that her son is managing better at school since he started skating as he has gained more spatial awareness, allowing him to navigate the busy hallways at school that he struggled with before. These stories are the reason I am so passionate about adaptive skating.

Every great program starts with an idea. One theme I hope you will take away is that creativity is king. With Adaptive Skating, there really is no “one size fits all” here. As you start to craft your idea of an Adaptive Skating program for your facility, you will need support from your staff, the community and your club or rink.

How to Start an Adaptive Program

Here are some things you will want to consider with your support systems. Although each situation and location is different, this should help you get the conversation started.

1) When will you hold your class? Will it be a weekly class or a short-term, limited offering? Will it be seasonal or year-round? Keep in mind some of your skaters may have sensitivity to noise or light so you may want to find a quieter time at the rink to hold your class or have a designated space for skaters who become overstimulated. Routine is also a big factor for many of the skaters, so try and find consistency in your scheduling and staffing.

2) Find out what resources your rink or club can provide, such as skates, helmets, discounted ice, and other equipment they may have around like simple walkers used for public skating.

3) Look around and assess your facility’s accessibility for Adaptive skaters. Are there ramps and handicap-accessible facilities? Is there easy parking? Is there barrier-free access to the rink surface?

4) Think about waivers or other legalities that would make all parties comfortable. For example, we require all our skaters, staff and volunteers to be members of Learn to Skate USA for insurance purposes. Find out the rink or club policy on allowing family members or caregivers on the ice with the skaters. Staff at U.S. Figure Skating headquarters can help you get skaters and others registered with Learn to Skate USA as well as answer general liability questions.

5) Find your skaters! Reach out to local schools and special education programs, physical and speech therapists, community agencies, veterans programs and autism social groups to name a few.

6) Staff your program. If you want to look beyond your regular learn to skate or professional staff, think about partnering with high school hockey teams or members of your figure skating club. More on training coaches to work with adaptive skaters is coming in future PS Magazine articles.

Opportunities Abound for Adaptive Skaters

U.S. Figure Skating’s Adaptive Skating program offers two tracks with numerous opportunities for both recreational and competitive skating. Athletes with physical disabilities can participate in Skate United, and skaters with intellectual disabilities have opportunities with Special Olympics.

Skate United offers skaters the ability to participate in classes within a skating school, or they can engage in specialized Adaptive Skating tests. Skaters can also choose to test within U.S. Figure Skating’s test structure and compete in 6.0 competitions and events. Many exciting Skate United developments are being established to enhance opportunities and will be shared within the near future.

Special Olympics and Skate United competitive events are being offered through Compete USA, national showcase series, adult competitions and many other local events.

Skaters interested in hockey may find a special needs or Unified team in their area. Sled hockey teams can be found in many states and is an international Paralympic Games event. Special Olympics also offers speed skating through its local and international games. If these programs do not exist in your area, why not be the first? There are resources to help you and a community to support you.

Visit usfigureskating.org/adaptive-skating for more information on U.S. Figure Skating and Learn to Skate USA’s program resources. Visit specialolympics.org or contact your state’s Special Olympics office for more information regarding Special Olympics opportunities. For general adaptive sports information, visit moveunitedsport.org. Additional questions? Contact PSA Adaptive Skating Committee chair Mary Johanson at coachmaryjohanson@gmail.com. Watch for more adaptive skating articles in upcoming PSA magazines!