{{Short description|Skating with Disabilities Charity}} {{Infobox organization | name = Inclusive Skating | formation = {{start date and age|2011|09|09}} | native_name_lang = en | image = | caption = Inclusive Skating Logo | former_name = Impaired Skating | founder = Margarita Sweeney-Baird BEM | type = Charitable Incorporated Organisation | registration_id = SC042584 | headquarters = Clyde Offices, 48 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1BP. | website = https://inclusiveskating.org/ | region_served = International }}
'''Inclusive Skating''' is a charity that provides opportunities for skaters with additional needs.<ref name=Vice/> They cater to skaters of all levels, ranging from first-timers to recreational skaters, to elite competitive level athletes <ref name=BBC/> and hold events on a global scale which utilise their own judging framework developed for judging skaters who have additional challenges.<ref name=ITV/>
== Background == Founded in 2011 as Impaired Skating, the charity renamed itself to Inclusive Skating following feedback from its members.<ref name=ImpairedSkating/>
Inclusive Skating's main objective is the advancement of public participation in sport and the promotion of equality and diversity and the development and implementation of programming which fosters the inclusion of skaters with any form of impairment or disability. They offer events, competitions, seminars, workshops, and E-Learning resources for its skaters, coaches, parents, and volunteers.<ref name=about/>
The club structure has been officially recognised by the Scottish Parliament, where they are an active member of the Cross-Party Group on Sport.<ref name=ScottishParliament/><ref name=Clubs/>
Inclusive skating advocates for the inclusion of skating in the Paralympic Games.<ref name=OpenDoors/><ref name=spra2/>
== Activities == Since 2021 their courses have been endorsed by CIMSPA<ref name="CIMSPA"/> and from 1 September 2025 they are also a Licensed Organisation for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award for physical, skills, volunteering, residential camps and expeditions. In 2023 IS became an SQA approved centre with successful candidates eligible to earn UCAS points. <ref name="DukeofEd"/> In 2026 Inclusive Skating became a Recognised International Federation and signed an historic MOU with The International Blind Sports Federation. <ref> https://ibsasport.org/news/ibsa-and-inclusive-skating-sign-historic-memorandum-of-understanding/ retrieved 15th March 2026 </ref>
== Judging Framework== This Inclusive Skating judging framework is the first in the world for judging sports which takes into account all types of impairments. Currently, the framework facilitates the inclusion of skaters with conditions including physical disability, visual impairment, sensory challenges, autism, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, genetic disorders and mental and behavioural impairments, among others. They also offers the option for skaters to compete via pre-recorded video, to accommodate for conditions which might impede upon an athlete's ability to compete live, such as anxiety.<ref name="GlasgowLive" />
== Events == Inclusive Skating holds educational events, workshops, seminars, and competitions.<ref name=insidegames/> Competition events are held for all skating disciplines including: singles free-skating, pairs, ice dancing, solo ice dancing, figures, Synchronized skating, speed skating, inline skating, and off-ice competitive events.<ref name=icedance/> These competitions utilise the IS judging system which allows for fair competition between skaters with different disabilities using a compensation system based on the empirically researched Dr. Rondinelli ''Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment'' from the American Medical Association.<ref name=guides/>
Prince Edward, president of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, was also a guest of honour at the Scottish Championship event in 2019.<ref name="GlasgowLive" />
Inclusive Skating's event format has been adopted by the International Skating Union. In 2022 Inclusive Skating became an institutional partner with the ISU for World Ice Skating Day holding the 2022 Virtual World Championships as part of the global celebration.<ref name="ISU1" /><ref name="ISU2" />
Inclusive Skating held the First World Inclusive Skating Championships in Hamilton, Scotland in 2023. The 2024 and 2025 World Inclusive Skating Championships were held in Lee Valley Ice Centre in London, England. The World Inclusivepara Skating Championships were held in Ostersund, Sweden during 2023 and 2024. The 2025 event is being held in East Kilbride Olympia Ice Rink in June during the Festival in the lead up to Commonwealth Games and has a permit from Virtus Sport.<ref name="Virtus" />
The Inclusivepara Skating format provides competition opportunities for elite athletes with all forms of disability. The Inclusive Skating developmental competition pathway based on levels includes opportunities for Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities.
== Membership == Inclusive Skating is a member of the following organisations:
* Scottish Sports Association<ref name=thessa/> * Welsh Sports Association<ref name=wsa/> * Northern Ireland Sports Forum<ref name=nisf/> * Sport and Recreation Alliance<ref name=sportrec/> * Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations<ref name=scvo/> * Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland<ref name=spra/>
== References ==
<references>
<ref name=Virtus> {{cite web|url= https://virtus.sport/eventsvs/world-inclusive-para-skating-glasgow-2026-championships|title=World Inclusive Para Skating Glasgow 2026 Championships |access-date=November 23, 2025|publisher=Virtus Sport}}</ref>
<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-61951584|title=Autism: Inclusive ice skating helping 11-year-old express herself|access-date=July 7, 2022|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
<ref name=Vice>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-disabled-figure-skaters-are-fighting-for-the-right-to-fall/|title=Why Disabled Figure Skaters Are Fighting for the Right to Falls|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Vice Media}}</ref>
<ref name=guides>{{cite book|last= Rondinelli|first= Robert D.|date=January 15, 2008|title=Guides for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment|publisher=American Medical Association|isbn=978-1579478889}}</ref>
<ref name=icedance>{{cite web|url=https://www.ice-dance.com/site/ice-dancing-for-everyone-how-inclusive-skating-is-expanding-our-sport-into-the-future/|title=ICE DANCING FOR EVERYONE: HOW INCLUSIVE SKATING IS EXPANDING OUR SPORT INTO THE FUTURE|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Ice-Dance.com}}</ref>
<ref name=insidegames>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1023939/scotland-to-host-international-inclusive-skating-competition|title=Scotland to host international inclusive skating competition|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Inside the Games}}</ref>
<!--<ref name="Radio Wales">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0bClKSBHdA|title=Inclusive Skating - Mia on Radio Wales|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=BBC Radio Wales}}</ref>
<ref name="Parasport website">{{cite web|url=https://parasport.org.uk/opportunity/inclusive-skating-events-and-activities|title=Inclusive Skating Events and Activities|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=parasport.org.uk}}</ref> -->
<ref name=OpenDoors>{{cite web|url=https://projectopendoors.org/2017/09/20/ice-skaters-hopeful-of-paralympic-dream/|title=Ice skaters hopeful of Paralympic dream|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=OpenDoors by Griffith University}}</ref>
<ref name=scvo>{{cite web|url=https://scvo.scot/about/community/membership/members/001b000003tRbdDAAS/001b000003trbddaas-inclusive-skating|title=SCVO|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations}}</ref>
<ref name=sportrec>{{cite web|url=https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/blog/our_members/inclusive-skating/|title=Alliance Scotland|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland}}</ref>
<ref name=spra2>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/news/industry/getting-into-the-paralympic-spirit-with-inclu|title=Getting into the Paralympic spirit with Inclusive Skating|date=4 March 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Sport and Recreation Alliance}}</ref>
<ref name=spra>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/pages/membership-and-representative-bodies|title=Membership and Representative Bodies|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Sport and Recreation Alliance}}</ref>
<ref name=thessa>{{cite web|url=http://thessa.org.uk/about/our-members|title=Representing and Championing Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Scottish Sports Association}}</ref>
<ref name=wsa>{{cite web|url=https://wsa.wales/membership/membership-directory/|title=Membership Directory|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Welsh Sports Association}}</ref>
<ref name=nisf>{{cite web|url=https://www.nisf.net/membership/associate-members/|title=NI Sports Forum Associate Members|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Northern Ireland Sports Forum}}</ref>
<ref name=ScottishParliament>{{cite web|url=https://www.parlamaid-alba.scot/-/media/files/cross-party-groups/sport/sport.pdf|title=Cross-Party Group Registration Form|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Scottish Parliament}}</ref>
<ref name=Clubs>{{cite web|url=https://inclusiveskating.org/resources/inclusive-skating-clubs---039-what-we-do-039-039-website-2010-2018-030421110755.pdf|title=Inclusive Skating Clubs|access-date=April 15, 2022|publisher=Inclusive Skating}}</ref>
<ref name=about>{{cite web|url=https://inclusiveskating.org/about/funding-and-charity|title=About Inclusive Skating|access-date=November 15, 2021|publisher=Inclusive Skating}}</ref>
<ref name=GlasgowLive>{{cite web|url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-skaters-compete-inclusive-skating-16572282|title=Feature on Glasgow Live|date=12 July 2019 |access-date=November 15, 2021|publisher=Glasgow Live}}</ref>
<ref name=ITV>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-09-27/the-registered-blind-taekwondo-black-belt-swapping-sparring-for-ice-skates|title=Feature on ITV News|date=27 September 2021 |access-date=November 15, 2021|publisher=ITV News}}</ref>
<ref name=CIMSPA>{{cite web|url=https://inclusiveskating.org/resources/cimspa-employer-partner-certificate-280720094139.pdf|title=Inclusive Skating CIMPSPA Certificate|access-date=November 15, 2021|publisher=CIMPSA}}</ref>
<ref name=ImpairedSkating>{{cite web|url=https://scvo.scot/support/coronavirus/funding/scottish-government/wellbeing-fund/recipients/a0V3z00000dJoESEA0/impaired-skating-now-known-as-inclusive-skating|title=Charity Summary from the SCVO|access-date=November 15, 2021|publisher=Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU1>{{cite web|url=https://inclusiveskating.org/resources/world-wide-recognition---press-release-and-isu-letter-041118044138.pdf|title=ISU Recognition Letter|access-date=November 15, 2021|publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU2>{{cite web|url=https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/isu-files/event-documents/figure-skating-4/2018-19/international-22/announcements-66/17910-inclusive-skating-2019-classification-handbook/file|title=Inclusive Skating Classification Handbook|access-date=November 15, 2021|publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref>
<ref name=DukeofEd>{{cite web|url=https://inclusiveskating.org/resources/the-duke-of-edinburgh-039-s-award-270821135851.pdf|title=IS Duke of Edinburgh´s Award|access-date=November 16, 2021|publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref>
</references>
Category:Organizations established in 2011 Category:Ice skating