By: Curtis Ruttle
In 2020, we introduced Alt Route Projects — an accessible skateboarding program in Calgary aimed at creating safe, inclusive, and accessible skatepark experiences for people living with sight loss. Now, we’re excited to share how far this project has come over the past five years.
What started as a small idea has since evolved into a well-recognized program with ongoing success. If you’d asked me five years ago, I would’ve said it was just a one-time event. But today, Alt Route continues to grow and provides a unique opportunity to many.
In July 2021, we hosted our first public showcase event, in partnership with the City of Calgary, City Councillor Evan Woolley, and funded by the Calgary Parking Authority. This event allowed us to demonstrate the impact of simple, temporary adaptations on skateparks for people with sight loss, and giving participants the opportunity to skate alongside sighted skaters to smash barriers.
In my last post, I mentioned the interest that our project had received from AMI, and I am excited to share that we were showcased in a full length documentary highlighting Alt Route and a few of our participants! You can watch the documentary below.
We have also since officially partnered with CNIB, which has allowed us to host more regular and structured programming for our participants in Calgary. We've had amazing opportunities to partake in events like the Beaker Head Festival, where we hosted a showcase with professional blind skateboarder Dan Mancina, and shared the importance of inclusive skateboarding with the community through a panel presentation.
Our support has come from all over the world, but one moment I am most proud of is how we were able to help a young boy living in Ontario get back onto his board after losing his vision from a brain tumor. Nothing feels better than knowing what you are doing is actually making a difference in people’s lives.
We owe our growth to the support from CNIB, The Compound YYC, Canada Skateboard including some of their National athletes, and all our supporters.
We can't wait to see what comes next!
To learn more, visit altroute.ca or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. For inquiries, email Curtis.Ruttle@cnib.ca
AMI Documentary: The Alternate Route