The 2007 No Barriers Festival took place in Squaw Valley, Calif. June 28- July 1. The goal of this one-of-a-kind festival is to share the cutting-edge techniques and technologies which enable people with challenges to live as actively as possible and break through their own personal barriers. It is a rare opportunity for scientists, technologists, manufacturers, therapists and people with disabilities to unite.

This year’s festival offered a unique combination of educational and active opportunities. As the outreach manager for Guide Dogs for the Blind, I was able to combine my two passions: offer the opportunity for people who are blind a chance to experience traveling with a guide dog, and promote rowing and the active lifestyle of exercising with ergometers.

Fellow U.S. National team adaptive athlete Scott Brown and I introduced hundreds of athletes from all over the world with disabilities to the sport of rowing. Concept2 provided two rowing machines; a model D with a sliding seat and a model E that was fitted with a fixed Wintech seat for athletes to easily transfer from a wheel chair.  We had a chance to inspire a lot people and generate interest in the sport of rowing, both on the rowing machine and on the water.  With the inclusion of adaptive rowing for the first time in the 2008 Paralympics, a lot of interest peaked in the sport.

In 2004 and 2005, the festival was held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in the heart of the Dolomites. After a successful turnout, the decision was made to bring the event to the United States to showcase the natural beauty and recreational potential of the Sierra Nevada area and share the expertise of the organization with a new population. Other outdoor activities included in this year’s event were adaptive rock climbing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, cycling, mountain biking, a ropes course, Segway use, and hiking excursions. 

For more information on the No Barriers Festival 2007 and upcoming events, visit http://nobarriersusa.org/festival-2007.html.