Dan Mancina is on a mission to make skateboarding and skateparks more accessible for low-vision and blind individuals across North America.
New Line Skateparks had the opportunity to work alongside Dan as he developed his own adaptive skatepark which not only responds to his skating style, but enables him to host individuals and families from the low-vision and blind community as well. Utilizing his training as a Visual Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT), complimented by his adaptive skatepark, Dan seeks to open new possibilities for the community and their families while sharing his passion for skateboarding and mission for accessibility.
Dan has been critical in educating the team at New Line about design and construction methodologies that not only provide a higher level of accessibility for adaptive athletes, but meets the diverse needs of all skill levels within the park as well.
My goal is not to make every skatepark an adaptive park, but to make all new skateparks more accessible to everyone.”
We continue to be inspired by Dan’s ability and philosophy and are beyond grateful to have played a small role in support of his mission. To learn more about his adaptive skatepark project or how to contribute, visit https://www.keeppushinginc.com/adaptive-skatepark-project.
Keep Pushing Inc. is a non-profit that combines Dan’s two passions by introducing the low-vision and blind community to the inclusive culture of skateboarding.
#buildingskateboarding #buildingcommunity
On an extremely cold Friday in February, Dan Mancina brought his love of skateboarding to Calgary, Alberta, Canada and helped change the lives of fifteen visually impaired youth. In partnership with non-profit organization Academy Skateboard Collective, Dan shared his story and introduced skateboarding to the youth, their parents and school staff. Dan’s story of resilience not only resonated deeply with the group of students but its impact on their caregivers was equally visceral. As the students familiarized themselves with their skateboards and the skatepark, they approached standing on the boards, rolling, pushing and pumping the transitions with an uninhibited confidence. In a short amount of time, students comfortably explored the physical landscape in a way they had never before: through the lens of skateboarding. The impact Dan has left on our community will not be soon forgotten. He gave us all one residing message; anything is possible. The experience reminded us that we are not defined by perceived barriers but that we can find meaning in our ability to adapt in the face of them. Isn’t that what skateboarding is truly about?
Thank you Dan Mancina, Academy Skateboard Collective, Real Skateboards, Adidas, Ninetimes Skate Shop, the Compound Skatepark and everyone else that made this event possible. We are truly stoked to support grass roots initiatives like these.
Video: Matt Allen. Feature Photo: Jeremy Fokkens
3 diverse community skateparks are now officially underway in Greeley, Colorado! Working in collaboration with City Staff, local youth and community leaders, the design/build implementation of Greeley’s action sports facility network marks a milestone/precedent for the region in terms of comprehensive municipal skatepark master planning and development. Centennial Park Skatepark is now complete with additional concrete skate/bmx facilities at Peakview Park and Downtown 3rd Street slated for construction before year’s end. Construction progress and completed shots of Centennial are below – keep posted to our website and social media channels for updates as this exciting project advances!
