Program Participant Essential Eligibility Criteria

IM ABLE Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) 
Effective Date: January 1, 2026

ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) is a list of functions an athlete must be able to perform in order to safely participate in the program.

Essential eligibility criteria can vary based on individual sports and the adaptive equipment needed for successful participation.

General Essential Eligibility Criteria – Required 

All athletes must acknowledge the ability to perform the following EECs:

• Have a permanent physical or intellectual or developmental disability.
• Be medically stable (e.g., seizure-free for 3 months or controlled with medication).
• Be able to manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion.
• Be able to transfer on/off/in/out of equipment independently or with the assistance of a companion or caregiver. Staff and volunteers are not permitted to transfer participants.
• Be able to follow verbal or visual instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion.
• Be able to refrain from behaviors that pose a risk (such as aggression, inability to set boundaries, lack of safety awareness, drug/alcohol use/influence) to self or others.
• Use equipment appropriate for personal weight without going beyond or below weight capacity of program equipment.
• Be able and willing to wear appropriate protective and safety equipment, such as helmets.
• Be able to communicate if they feel uncomfortable, experience pain, or sustain an injury during participation.
• Be able to communicate any existing injuries, medical conditions, sensitivities, or special needs that may require accommodation prior to the activity.

 

Kayaking & Paddling: 

Kayaking & Paddling Essential Eligibility Criteria Athletes must acknowledge the ability to perform the following EECs: 

• Meet all General EECs. 

• Breathe independently without any medical devices. 

• Feel comfortable in the water. 

• Hold breath under water. 

• Maintain body position with support. 

• Be able to wear a properly fitting life jacket (PFD). 

• Right oneself independently (turn from face down to face up) and remain face up in the water with a properly fitted PFD. If unable, must stay 15 feet from shore and have a volunteer with you. 

• Float on back independently with a properly fitted PFD. If unable, must stay 15 feet from shore and have a volunteer with you. 

 

Skiing & Snowboarding:

Skiing and Snowboarding Essential Eligibility Criteria Athletes must acknowledge the ability to perform the following EECs: 

• Meet all General EECs. 

• Be able to tolerate winter temperatures while appropriately dressed for the duration of the lesson. 

• If not taking lessons, participants must: 

• Be able to (once shown) load, safely ride, and unload the chairlift independently or with the assistance of a companion. 

• Be able to, either independently or with the assistance of a companion, get up after a fall and continue skiing.