Embracing the Environment: Panel 3: Paving the Way in Accessibility
This was the Invictus Games Foundation’s twelfth iteration of The IGF Conversation; an event which is designed to promote the sharing of best practice on a range of relevant subjects within the Invictus Community through a combination of either online webinars and/or in person symposia. The intent is to encourage the exchange of views through informal discussions based on panels of relevant experts and Invictus Alumni including families, rather than formal presentations.
This IGF Conversation is entitled Embracing the Environment, an incredibly relevant topic as we embarked on the first Winter-hybrid Games at Vancouver Whistler 2025 and we aimed though these discussions to shine a light on the impact of these historic Games in Canada and around the world and discuss how positive risk-taking can aid recovery for the international wounded, injured or sick service community.
Panel 3: Paving the Way in Accessibility
The final Panel looked at exploring the theme of accessibility in sport, in support of the IGF’s evolving Sustainability Framework.
Rick Hansen, Canadian track and field Paralympian, activist, philanthropist who since has been working to prove the potential of people with disabilities and to inspire a more accessible world, he touched on the particular importance of this iteration of the Invictus Games, in order leave a lasting legacy at venues which were once inaccessible. He discussed his work with the Vancouver Whistler 2025 Organising Committee to ensure all venues of this Invictus Games are Rick Hansen Foundation certified, and the potential challenges which have emerged.
The panel was also joined by Michelle Stilwell, politician and fellow Paralympian will discussed the challenges they have experienced in various roles from athlete to activist and Sian Blyth, Executive Director of Whistler Adaptive who shared her thoughts on the progress of accessibility in para-sport and the tremendous work of Whistler Adaptive to foster a sense of community and independence in everything that they do.