Canadian Paralympic Committee

Along with supporting Team Canada at the Paralympic Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee operates a number of other initiatives, including several community outreach programs. Visit www.paralympic.ca for more information on the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

The organization’s community outreach programs include:

• Feel the Rush
  Feel the Rush is CPC’s grassroots awareness program designed to encourage and help people with disabilities get involved in sport, both recreationally and competitively. Check out the website www.feeltherush.ca to find out what sporting opportunities exist in your area or how to create opportunities for yourself by forming a club.
• Paralympic Heroes
  Are you looking for a speaker to motivate a crowd? Educate your students? Inspire your employees? Would you like a Paralympic athlete to attend your event? The CPC has created the Paralympic Heroes Program to address these needs. To book an athlete, contact erin@paralympic.ca.
• Petro-Canada’s "It’s the Real Deal" Paralympic Schools Program
  This site (www.paralympiceducation.ca) has been created to help students and teachers learn more about people with disabilities, the Paralympic Games, Paralympic sports and Paralympic athletes. Lesson plans and supplementary student activities are also offered to teachers.
• Ambassador Program
  In the lead-up to each Paralympic Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee appoints an ambassador team, which consists of Paralympic athletes expected to reach the podium. These Paralympic athletes participate in public events, such as throwing the first pitch at a Blue Jays game, to increase the awareness of Canada’s Paralympic athletes and the Paralympic Movement. If you would like a member of the CPC’s Paralympic Ambassador Team to attend a public event you’re organizing, contact erin@paralympic.ca.
• Changing Minds, Changing Lives
  Changing Lives, Changing Lives is a program aimed at educating healthcare professionals about the associated social and health benefits of regular sport activity, and the potential that resides in all Canadians living with a physical disability. The goal is to get healthcare professionals engaged in motivating Canadians with a physical disability to participate in sport. To arrange for a Changing Minds, Changing Lives presentation, contact laura@paralympic.ca.
• Paralympic Equipment Fund
  The fund provides matching grants to community-based clubs, or provincial sport organizations, in good standing with a CPC Member organization, for the purchase of high performance Paralympic specific sporting equipment to be used by athletes with a physical disability.
• Soldier On
  The CF Soldier On, a joint initiative of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Department of National Defence (DND), was launched at the inaugural Soldier On Paralympic Sport Summit in May 2007. At the summit, Paralympic athletes gave injured soldiers a hands-on demonstration of some Paralympic sports. Today, the Canadian Paralympic Committee provides expert advice to the program, which is now delivered by the Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Agency and is aimed at supporting the participation of injured soldiers in physical activity and sports.