DCR Universal Access program brings skiing for all

*Brian Galluzzo, a volunteer with Waypoint Adventure, points to the ski hill while guiding Neil Chopra, alongside his mother, Shalini Chopra, at the Weston Ski Track. (Nicole Mordecai/Weston Observer)*

For the folks out on the Weston Ski Track on a recent balmy Wednesday, it was all about gliding through the snow, whether on skis, a sit-ski or a ski affixed with a walker.

These individuals joined the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Waypoint Adventure at the Leo J. Martin Ski Track on Jan. 14 for the DCR’s Universal Access Program. The long-running program of 30 years provides outdoor recreation opportunities around Massachusetts for visitors of all abilities.

Participants were able to ski alongside family, use a walker-ski to support themselves or glide down the hill in a sit-ski while staff and volunteers gave them a push.

*Chao Xie, a volunteer, pushes DD at the Weston Ski Track on Jan. 14. (Nicole Mordecai/Weston Observer)*

Marcy Marchello, a DCR recreation manager, said the Universal Access Program is an opportunity for people to get comfortable in a “very welcoming environment” that allows them to integrate into a variety of activities accommodating any level of ability.

Alongside the adaptive skiing program in Weston, the DCR runs numerous Universal Access Program activities around the state throughout the year, including adaptive golf at the Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course, accessible fishing, cycling, hiking, camping and more.

The DCR typically supplies the equipment and works with vendors, such as Lexington-based Waypoint Adventure, to put the programs together.

The adaptive cross-country skiing program begins with a check-in where participants, volunteers and staff, like Oscar Stout, introduce themselves to the group and share something about themselves in an effort to make everyone comfortable. (Nicole Mordecai/Weston Observer)

Catie Sylvestri, a program coordinator with Waypoint Adventure with a background in occupational therapy, said the Universal Access Program brings so many benefits to the people participating in it.

“It’s so important, not just for fun, but also physical health and mental well-being, and just providing people the dignity of participating in the activities that we all universally enjoy,” she said. “It’s such a privilege to be a part of it.”

Beyond the health impacts, Marchello highlighted the “personal transformation” that takes place when someone figures out they can participate in outdoor recreation.

“They might not have believed that they could do this before because they were maybe told they couldn’t or thinking it wasn’t for them because they couldn’t see how they could hold a paddle, for instance,” she said. “With the adaptation and kind of support that is provided – either on an emotional level, social level or physical level, or all of it – people discover that, ‘Oh my gosh, yes I can,’ because it’s been designed to include everyone.”

*Oscar Stout pushes Andrew Blacker down the hill at the Leo J. Martin Ski Track on Jan. 14. (Nicole Mordecai/Weston Observer)*

Marchello said the Universal Access Program began in Goshen with the agency assisting one person with cross-country skiing. Thirty years later, she continued, it has grown into a statewide program providing people with disabilities – and their families and caregivers – with an opportunity to enjoy Massachusetts’ natural resources.

“It started with one person with a disability going out with a sit-ski at D.A.R. State Forest in Western Mass., and from there, we’ve built this to an incredible place,” she said. “Those numbers have been growing incrementally over time, but it takes a lot of work to get to that place, and I’m happy to say that it’s a steady, solid project we’ve got going on.”

The DCR and Waypoint Adventure are hosting additional adaptive cross-country skiing sessions at the Leo J. Martin Ski Track through the end of February.

Sessions will be held each Wednesday, as well as on Sunday, Jan. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 8. Sessions are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and cost $20 per participant, but costs are flexible based on need. Pre-registration is required.

For more information about the Universal Access Program, visit mass.gov/orgs/universal-access-program.