Andrea Donaldson of Pacific Medical Law recently received her Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) Level 1 certification, allowing her to teach skiing to people with disabilities.
CADS instructor training courses are held throughout Canada for people wishing to learn and improve their skills as instructors for people with disabilities. Level 1 consists of personal ski improvement and teaching progression, use of teaching aids and adaptive equipment (such as outriggers, tethers, and sit skis), basic safety procedures, and lesson format.
Andrea is excited to use her training and certification to volunteer this winter with Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS), which runs ski and snowboarding programs for people with physical and cognitive disabilities at the local Vancouver mountains of Grouse, Cypress, and Seymour.
VASS is operated by volunteers who are dedicated to making the mountains accessible to all, regardless of age or disability. Volunteer positions are available on the mountain as a ski or snowboard instructors or assistants, or off the mountain in fundraising, marketing, or volunteer coordinating roles. Further information is available at www.vass.ca/volunteer.
This year’s session begins in late January 2020, and there are still a few spots left for students as well as space on the waitlists. Students must be at least 6 years old. If you or someone you know is living with a disability and interested in learning or improving their skills in skiing and snowboarding, more information is available at www.vass.ca, or by emailing info@vass.ca.
