Shasta Disabled Sports Speaks to Simpson University Students

For Immediate Release

02.06.2017

REDDING, Calif. - A board member of Shasta Disabled Sports spoke to Simpson University students on Feb. 6, highlighting ways to make outdoor activities more accessible to those with disabilities.

Donna Boyd, who serves as secretary of the nonprofit organization based in Mount Shasta and has more than 20 years experience as an outdoor guide and instructor, talked to a class of outdoor leadership students about adaptive sports, showing them equipment such as a monoski to illustrate options available for the disabled population.

Shasta Disabled Sports is a chapter member of the national Disabled Sports USA organization. Its mission “is to provide year-round recreational and athletic opportunities for people with special needs,” according to the group’s website, shastadsusa.org.

Amy Smallwood, assistant professor of outdoor leadership and chair of the Leadership Studies Department, said, “This is an incredibly important area to address in our curriculum as we strive to prepare students for work in a diverse world. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to participate in outdoor adventure activities, and Donna’s background and experience will help students to understand how to adapt activities to a broad audience.”

Boyd has a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership development. As an outdoor professional, she has certifications in ski instruction, adaptive ski instruction, wilderness medicine, and river rescue.

“We are fortunate to have someone like Donna so close to Redding,” Smallwood said. “We hope to have her come share in our courses more often, and to possibly connect our students to volunteer opportunities within Shasta Disabled Sports.”

Shasta Disabled Sports offers summer recreation programs; a ski buddy program that connects volunteers with skiers with disabilities; adaptive ski lessons; and adaptive equipment that can be checked out for free to members.

Shasta Disabled Sports will hold free training Feb. 12 at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park for volunteers interested in helping skiers and snowboarders with disabilities. If interested, email info@shastadsusa.org.

Simpson University is the only private college or university on the West Coast to offer an Outdoor Leadership major. The program is designed to prepare students for leadership careers in adventure-based outdoor programs, outdoor education programs, state and national park systems, and camps. Learn more at simpsonu.edu/outdoorleadership.

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Photo by Andre Carillo / Donna Boyd, right, a board member of Shasta Disabled Sports, demonstrates adaptive skiing and snowboarding equipment to a Simpson University outdoor leadership class on Feb. 6.

Simpson University, established in 1921, is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. The university celebrated its 25th year in Redding and the completion of a Science and Nursing Center in 2014. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults with both on-campus and online course offerings, including degrees in psychology and organizational leadership. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.

Contact: SU Public Relations
mediarelations@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4737