Inclusive Skating receives recognition at IPC VISTA Conferences

Inclusive Skating has been represented at all IPC VISTA Conferences since 2011 by Margarita Sweeney-Baird.

Margarita Sweeney-Baird started the IPC journey with the support of Ann Hart, IPC Head of Classification and Viola Altmann, Head of Classification for Wheelchair Rugby. So, in 2011 and 2013 the focus was on learning and reflecting on early practice.

At the 2015 IPC VISTA Conference, in Girona, Spain, on “securing the future for young para-athletes”. The Inclusive Skating poster on the Novel Inclusive skating Classification System won a prize.

In 2017, Margarita Sweeney-Baird gave an oral presentation of her abstract, “Inclusive Skating: a case study in the social and economic challenges and opportunities that arise when creating new Paralympic sports and the lessons to be learned for future development”. The 2017 Confeerence took place at the International Paralympic Committee Vista Conference in Toronto, Canada. Copies of the abstract and slides are below.

The IPC joined in the phone and even wore their Jeans because the conference was held on Jeans for Genes Day.