Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1504285
46 / JULY.AUGUST.2023 USICERINKS.COM After the clinical team meets, a prepared memorandum without any skater personal information is drafted and sent to both the Competition and Testing Committees for review. The committees reach out to their liaisons on the S.A.M. clinical team to see if they have any questions or concerns about the requested accommodations. Next, the drafted S.A.M. is sent to the skater and/or skater's parent/guardian for final review. This can be done strictly through email correspondence, or the Adaptive Skating Subcommittee vice chair meets with the skater/parent/guardian to discuss the memorandum. This is meant to be a collaborative and supportive process and should promote autonomy for the skater/parent/guardian in articulating their needs to continue their journey on the ice. Some examples of accommodations that have been put in place thus far to support skaters include the following: • Skater may pause virtual testing when needed for breaks/for in-person testing skater may take a break between moves in the field elements where other tests could be performed then the skater would complete the other required moves-in-the-field elements with the same judging panel within the same day. • Skater is allowed to break up testing into two to four days with consistent coach and proctor supervision for virtual moves-in-the-field testing. • Skaters' coach may provide prompting when needed including visual aids and verbal cues for competition warmup and performances. • A chair/or rest area may be provided near the ice entrance so the skater may sit and take a break after the warmup before skating. • When the sound system is compatible, the local organizing committee (LOC) will ensure that the chief referee gets skater's hearing aid streaming device to the event music player. If the music player has questions, they may contact the parent and or coach for technical assistance. Both the skater's parent and coach will have contact information submitted with the device on the day of the competition. A supplemental direction sheet explaining how to pair the device will be included. Once the S.A.M. is finalized, the skater/parent/guardian may use the S.A.M. for testing and competition. To use the S.A.M., it should be submitted at the time of test or competition registration to the test chair/local organizing committee. For testing, the test chair will ensure that the judge in charge is aware of the skater's accommodations. For competitions, upon registration for the event, the LOC will notify the chief referee who will ensure the accommodations are in place for the skater. Keeya Steel, skater who uses a S.A.M., said, "as a disabled adult, I know the consequences of pushing my body past its limits. The S.A.M. process helped me understand how accommodations for testing and competitions can help me thrive as a skater. The S.A.M. allows me to focus more on my skating, instead of worrying about my health." Dacia Loconte, a competitive singles skater, said, "the S.A.M has definitely helped me specifically regarding testing. The S.A.M. has helped judges understand why I have certain balance issues or lack of speed, which helps me get judged on my actual skillset. It also allows the judges to give me more beneficial feedback because the feedback is more accurate to my skillset." Loconte's mother, Beth, said the S.A.M. has allowed her daughter to excel in the sport she loves. "She is judged on how she can perform elements versus how an able-bodied skater can perform the same elements," Beth said. "This has given her confidence to compete which has resulted in amazing achievements for her to date." Another singles skater, Tessa Brannigan, shared, "having accommodations in skating allows me to perform to the best of my ability without having to worry about whether or not I will hear the music. It also allows me to have the same equal access as my peers when I am competing and testing." While her mom, Pauline said of the process, "I am so appreciative that USFS understands and acknowledges the challenges that all skaters experience when competing but especially the additional challenges faced by skaters with disabilities. The steps needed to complete the application were very simple to follow and after presenting the necessary paperwork, Tessa's S.A.M. was quickly approved. This allows her to remove the stress of not hearing her music and to just be able to concentrate on skating her program." The intention of the S.A.M. is to encourage and promote our skaters with disabilities and other health conditions to continue to develop their skating skills while having opportunities to test and compete in an inclusive and supportive environment. J Courtney Fecske, PhD, is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and Inclusion Coordinator for the Northwest Special Recreation Association. She is a former Team USA synchronized skater, current national official, and national vice chair of the Adaptive Skating Subcommittee. Editor's note: While the S.A.M. has been in effect for just two years, it is important to note that the intention of the S.A.M. is to provide supportive and reasonable accommodations to promote diversity, inclusion and equity in figure skating and not to inherently change the activity or testing/ competition requirements or standards. If you have questions, reach out to Courtney Fecske at courtneyjweisman@gmail.com. REAL PROGRAMS Successful programs to consider adopting R The goal of S.A.M. is to create a more inclusive environment at the rink. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF US FIGURE SKATING