Survey about the impact of vision impairment on adaptive skating performance

Hello,

Your participation in an online survey is requested by a team of researchers assisting Skate Canada with the development of adaptive skating for skaters with visual impairment in Canada. Vision impairment means a person's eyesight cannot be corrected to normal levels with glasses or contact lenses. 

The purpose of the survey is to identify skaters with visual impairment in Canada and to understand the visual demands of skating along with the challenges faced by skaters with visual impairment while participating in the sport. The investigators in this study are Dr. Kristine Dalton, Dr. Allison Scott, Dr. Marni Wesner, Ibrahim Daibes MPH, Dr. Clare Halleran, Heather McMahon, and Amritha Stalin PhD.

Your responses to this survey will help us understand the current status of skaters with visual impairment in Canada so that we can better support their participation in the sport. Your responses will also inform the development of a classification system for these athletes. Classification systems are designed to group athletes with similar impairments into different groups for competition. When done properly, classification ensures competition is fair for athletes of all impairment levels.

This study is open to all individuals, including skaters, coaches, guides, parents, officials, and club volunteers in Canada. Prior experience with adaptive skating is not required. Participants with and without visual impairments are invited to participate.

The survey takes no more than 15 minutes to complete, and your responses are anonymous.

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board.