<p><em><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Accessible Skate Programs and Mental Health</span></span></strong></span></span></span></em></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>On the final day of the event we had two great workshops led by guest facilitators – an Accessible Skateboarding workshop with Linda Ritterhof (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bob_berlin_on_board/" target="_blank">Berlin On Board</a>), David and Lisa Lebuser (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sitnskate/" target="_blank">Sit’n’Skate</a>) and a Mental Health and Self-Care workshop with Sophie Friedel (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/dropinrideout/" target="_blank">Drop In Ride Out</a>). We discussed the widespread inaccessibility of skateparks, especially in the DIY scene. As Lisa rightly points out, when it comes to the actual design and construction of skateparks the people building them already have the necessary skills to make them easily accessible - “You’re building ramps, just build a couple more!”</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>We certainly learnt a lot throughout the three days of how to make our skateboarding programs more accessible to wheelchair users and those with disabilities. Not just ensuring extra staff to help with pushing and more one-to-one tuition, but also how to look at your teaching space before starting a program to make sure it is set out for inclusion from the outset. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
