Amherst Plans Disability Pride Programs with Adaptive Sports Focus
The programs will feature Paralympian Tory Dixon sharing her story and demonstrations of the town's adaptive swimming equipment.
Amherst will host two Disability Pride Month programs in July featuring adaptive sports, with a third set of events planned across the region in Easthampton and Northampton.
The Amherst Commission for Persons with Disabilities organized the programs around the theme "Storytelling." On the morning of July 16, children's librarian Mia Cabana will lead a program for young children at the Jones Library's temporary location at 101 University Drive, featuring books about sports for people with disabilities. A second event on the afternoon of July 20 at the Mill River Recreation Area will include the town's adaptive swimming program and will be open to older children and adults.
Tory Dixon, an Amherst resident, will share her experience at the July 20 event. Dixon won bronze medals in swimming at the Paralympics in 1988 and 1992 after beginning the sport as physical therapy. She trained competitively from age 10 to 28. Juan, her husband and also a Paralympian, will speak at the July 16 program. The aquatics director will demonstrate equipment available to make swimming accessible to people with various disabilities, and an open swim will follow, weather permitting.
The commission voted unanimously to strongly encourage masks at the indoor July 16 event. Commission member Ian Rhodewalt cited a study from Mass General Brigham published in May showing that 54 million Americans are affected by long COVID. Child and adult-sized masks will be provided but not required, and the event flyer will note that mask wearing is strongly recommended. Details about all programs in Amherst, Easthampton, and Northampton will be posted to the town website.