After a three-year hiatus, blind and visually impaired skiers and snowboarders returned to the slopes of Breckenridge, Colorado, for three fun-filled days in the snow, March 3-5. Seven skiers and several family members enjoyed a top-notch experience thanks to the staff and guides from the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center who helped with everything from equipment rentals, lessons, lunch at the slopes and dinner at the Griffith Lodge. The weekend was also made possible with support from Anthem and Architectural Surfaces. One of the attendees was Antoine Craig (Richmond, Va.), a member of the USA Blind Soccer Men's National Team. Although…
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For the first time in three years, the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) and Vermont Adaptive Sports teamed up to host the 14th USABA Winter Festival at Pico Mountain in Mendon, Vermont. Nineteen athletes with varying visual impairments came from across the country to participate in the post-pandemic return to fun on the snow. “After the pandemic, everyone has been so excited to get back to programming, to get back to in-person, and I think the importance of in-person connection is really highlighted at these events,” said USABA Sports Program Coordinator Marybai Huking. “Within the blind community, people are…
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U.S. Association of Blind Athletes and Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports host largest gathering in the nation KILLINGTON, Vt. (Feb. 7, 2020) – The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is pleased to partner with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports to host the 13th annual Winter Ski Festival at Pico Mountain, Feb. 8-9. For more than a decade, USABA and Vermont Adaptive have worked together to coordinate an event where Americans who are blind and visually impaired can participate in alpine skiing, snowboarding and Nordic skiing. The event continues to be the largest annual gathering in the United States…
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By: Sierra Romero (March 11, 2019) - As snow began to fall the first weekend in March, thousands of people were taking to the slopes. Skiing and snowboarding is a sport that is enjoyed by around 9.2 million people in the United States this past year alone. Within this large number, there is a subgroup of skiers and snowboarders who take on additional challenges to enjoy the slopes as well. According to the National Federation of the Blind, there are approximately 7.6 million people in the United States who are either blind or have a visual impairment. While it is more difficult…
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By: Stephanie Ross, USABA Contributor Caroline and Cole Carper were born with Leber’s congenial amaurosis (LCA) RPE 65, a disease that eventually leads to total blindness. “It was hard because we really didn’t know what their abilities were going to be,” Caroline and Cole’s mother, Ashley Carper, said. “We had never been around other individuals who are visually impaired or blind, and it felt very scary as we worked our way out of that grief and mindset.” With limited exposure to the blind and visually impaired community in Little Rock, the Carpers had to figure out ways to empower their…
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