As the world just finished watching the Paralympic Games, we’re celebrating a milestone of our own here in Utah. Twelve athletes from the National Ability Center’s High Performance Team, including nine representing Team USA, competed on Paralympic squads in Alpine skiing. Their selection is a testament to what’s possible when athletes with disabilities are given the resources to excel at every level, from first-time recreation to elite international competition.
That same spirit of possibility is what brought Zoe Huang to us from Taiwan earlier this winter. After becoming paralyzed from the waist down in a hiking accident in 2023, Zoe was selected by the Taiwanese government to study adaptive sports programming abroad, and we were honored to host her. During her time here, she took part in everything from skiing and cycling to equine-assisted learning and climbing, connecting with our coaches, volunteers and staff who make this work possible.
Zoe told us she never imagined she could ski again after her spinal cord injury. Just a few days into her visit, she was doing exactly that: carving turns, laughing with her coach and already thinking about how to bring what she was learning back home.
Her time at the NAC reinforced our belief that adaptive recreation should not depend on geography. The National Ability Center may be rooted in Park City, Utah, but our approach to programming, training and creating a sense of belonging can be applied anywhere.
For over 40 years, the National Ability Center has offered outdoor and adaptive recreation for people of all ages and abilities. We serve over 6,000 individuals each year through skiing, equine therapy, cycling, climbing and other programs. All of our work is rooted in our belief that recreation should be a right, not a privilege.
Beyond the gear and the beautiful setting, our approach is what matters most. We start by listening to our participants and adapt each program based on what they want to achieve. Those methods don’t require a ski hill or a mountain lodge; they work just as well in a park or gym, and that is what makes this model so powerful.
Zoe’s visit showed how far that model can travel. She told us that in Taiwan, people with disabilities are often seen with pity. The expectation is that they will stay home and remain dependent. At NAC, she said, she felt fully respected as a whole person, not defined by her disability, and never treated like a burden.
She was also surprised by how many volunteers showed up to help. In her words, seeing so many people willing to spend their free time supporting adaptive sports was a shock and one of the most moving parts of her experience. That, she said, is something she wants to bring home.
Zoe’s not the only one who feels this way. Every year, we work with families and leaders from across the country and around the world who return home feeling inspired to adapt this work to their own communities.
When communities lead with respect, listen to one another and intentionally curate spaces that foster inclusivity, adaptive recreation can happen anywhere.
We understand that not all programs are equal, but limited accessibility doesn’t have to be a barrier. This work can start small, with one activity, one trained volunteer or one small change to make an existing program more inclusive. You can begin by looking around your community and paying attention to who may be left out. Reach out to people with disabilities and ask what they want to see. Partner with schools, parks and local nonprofits. You can also use the resources that are readily available to you and if additional support is needed, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to share what we’ve learned.
No one should have to fly across the world to feel included. When communities lead with respect, listen to one another and intentionally curate spaces that foster inclusivity, adaptive recreation can happen anywhere. The National Ability Center is proof of what’s possible, and we invite other programs to take the next step in building more places where inclusion isn’t the exception, it’s the foundation.