Achi news desk-
Recreation organizations gathered in Niverville, Man., on Saturday for the Accessible Sport Connection Manitoba Expo, where they took advantage of opportunities to show how they are bringing sports to people living with disabilities.
Kirby Cote, executive director of ASC Manitoba, said this year’s event is the first time the event has been held outside of Winnipeg, a move that helps reach a newer audience.
“Whether you are a person who uses an adapted device such as a wheelchair, or if you are blind or visually impaired, there is something here for you,” said Cote.
“Accessible Sport Connection believes that everyone should have access to physical activity in their community with their friends and family.”
That includes people like Peter Tonge, former executive director of the Manitoba Wheelchair Sports Association. He is a fan of wheelchair fencing and says he has loved the sport since he learned about it from a friend.
“It’s fun, it’s competitive. And I can see my progress as I learn,” he said.
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Tonge also said he is looking for more people to join wheelchair fencing with Fencing Manitoba. There are only three people in the program at the moment, which was established in 2022, according to the ASC.
For Manitoba ASC board member Spencer Lambert, the expo was a great place to highlight his work on an accessible electric bike he made as part of the college’s engineering technology course.
“It’s probably the first big event where I’ve been able to bring it out to show it, show it to other people and hopefully inspire other people to design things and create things that maybe you can’t afford to buy off the shelf, ” he said. “You can put things together and create your own.”
As for Cote, it’s nice to have a place to help people with disabilities find new activities. After all, she says, it can be scary to leave the house and try something new.
“This environment is like a choose-your-own-adventure space, and we’re here to help you choose your own adventure,” he said.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
