National Ability Center

06/12/2026

The NAC Para Off-Road Cycling Team athletes are headed to the Dirty Dino Gravel Race tomorrow!

A few weeks ago, our team tackled the Wild Horse Gravel Race pushing through fast miles, dusty roads, and tough terrain for many miles. Now they’re headed to Vernal for another gravel challenge, ready to put their training and determination to the test.

Best of luck to our athletes competing in the Dirty Dino, part of the

🗓️ June 13
📍 Vernal, Utah

📸: Kris Braunberger & Dale Hentzell

06/11/2026

“I never thought I would be able to do something like this." A teen said after getting out of the water during adaptive paddlesports with the National Ability Center at the Jordanelle.

This week, the NAC hosted teens with traumatic brain injuries from Craig Hospital’s Adolescent Program. Participants explored new sports and activities designed to foster independence and confidence post-TBI. The goal is to help each adolescent discover recreation opportunities that promote skill-building, community, and lifelong connections.

We're grateful to partner with organizations like Craig Hospital to create adaptive recreation experiences that help individuals discover what's possible.

Sometimes all it takes is one experience to turn "I never thought I would be able to do something like this" into "I can do this.”

06/10/2026

Meet the National Ability Center’s COACH Interns, a supported internship program helping people with disabilities build job skills and workplace experience.

COACH (Creating Opportunities for ACHievement) Internships are designed to help individuals with disabilities strengthen independence, develop vocational skills, and grow as self-advocates through hands-on experience at the National Ability Center.

Over the summer, these six interns will support programs across the NAC while working toward individualized goals that prepare them for future employment opportunities. From assisting participants and welcoming guests to supporting administrative tasks and program operations, each intern brings unique strengths, perspectives, and talents to our team.

Join us in welcoming Xander, Leo, Chloe, Brian, Mike, and Tyler to the NAC this summer 👏

06/09/2026

Barn Party was one heck of a good time in support of the National Ability Center Equestrian Program!

It was beautiful to be at the Ranch together for a night of community, generosity, and shared purpose. We are especially grateful to the Olsen family for sharing Rhett’s story as the Barn Party Participant Spotlight. Hearing how adaptive equestrian has helped 10-year-old Rhett find his voice, including a recent conversation between Rhett and a volunteer that his family never imagined possible, was a powerful reminder of the impact horseback riding can have on children and families.

A heartfelt thank you to our generous event sponsors: Huntsman Family Foundation, Vail Resorts EpicPromise, Big-D Construction and , Pat Moran Family Foundation, , , and all of our community supporters who helped make the evening possible 💞

For more than 30 years, the National Ability Center’s Equestrian Program has helped individuals with disabilities discover the belief that “I Can.” Through your support, we can continue to change lives.

Thanks and see y’all next year! 🤠🎉

06/05/2026

Tune in with Mary, our EQ Senior Manager, on KRCL 90.9FM to hear about the National Ability Center's equestrian program. With dedicated certified equine instructors and well over 100 volunteers, Mary shares how adaptive equine recreation is made possible at the NAC.

We currently have 22 horses, a 45% expansion in the last year, and our equestrian program continues to grow. Our goal is to find the right horse-participant partnership for each individual with a disability we serve.

Thank you in advance for your support of Barn Party, where all proceeds directly benefit the EQ Program.

🎙️ Mary's segment: 25:35–36:30

Listen here:

Monday, June 1: He's the artist behind the KRCL quail on Radiothon T-shirts and bumperstickers, and RadioACTive Pop! has him the day before the release of his authorial debut, My Papa Has a Red Mustache. New York Times award-winning illu...

06/05/2026

For more than a decade, Lucy has been part of the National Ability Center’s equestrian program.

Lucy is non-verbal and has Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that affects movement, communication, and coordination. Because of her condition, she experiences contractures that can make her muscles and joints tight and restrictive.

That’s where adaptive horseback riding comes in.

A horse’s walk closely mimics the natural gait pattern of a human. Through carefully designed adaptive riding activities, specialized instruction, and a horse matched to her specific needs, Lucy can work on mobility, flexibility, strength, and social connection in ways that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Recently, after Lucy’s longtime horse, Token, retired, she was paired with Rue. Rue’s small size, sweet demeanor, and rhythmic movement complement Lucy. Rue’s warmth and gait help Lucy relax, allowing her body to move more freely and comfortably as the lesson progresses. They seem to both enjoy the partnership.

For Lucy, horseback riding is an opportunity to experience movement, comfort, connection, and joy. A couple of weeks ago, we took these photos of Lucy’s adaptive horseback riding lesson at our Ranch in Park City, Utah. At first, Lucy was very tired with minimal facial expressions after a rough night of sleep. It only took a few short moments of riding Rue for Lucy to start smiling and stay smiling 😁

You might recognize this star from last year’s Barn Party participant spotlight! Stories like Lucy’s are why Barn Party matters. Every dollar raised supports adaptive equestrian programs that provide life-changing experiences for riders and families throughout our community ✨

Join us on June 6 for the Barn Party and help ensure riders like Lucy can continue experiencing the freedom and benefits of adaptive horseback riding!

Barn Party Tickets: https://discnac.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/BarnParty2026/tabid/1587399/Default.aspx

06/04/2026

SKILLED BELAYERS NEEDED !!

Looking for a meaningful way to spend your time this summer? At the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah we rely on volunteers to help run our adaptive climbing program.

Join us for volunteer training this Monday, June 8th: https://volunteer.nationalabilitycenter.org/opportunity/a3dVy00000MUOMnIAP/indoor-climbing-assistant-training #

Indoor Climbing Assistant training will provide you with the skills to assist our adaptive climbing lessons. You will learn how to belay participants, support with harness distribution and fittings, set up the climbing wall, and more! Volunteers will assist with belaying participants, support part...

06/03/2026

Summer Camp for individuals with disabilities is officially underway at the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah!

This week has already given us a few reminders of why camp matters.

One camper called home and surprised their family with a complete sentence: "I had fun."

Between cycling, climbing, archery, pickleball, crafts, and challenge course adventures, and more, it's been a big first week. We're excited to see what the rest of the summer brings.

Transportation from Salt Lake City is available for most NAC camps.

Sign up for Summer Camp today: https://participant.nationalabilitycenter.org/s/?program=Camps

06/01/2026

Adaptive recreation creates opportunities for veterans to reconnect with themselves, their families, and their communities.

We're honored to be featured in this recent USA TODAY story highlighting the impact of adaptive recreation and the importance of creating spaces where veterans can find connection, challenge, and community through the outdoors.

Thank you to everyone who helps make this work possible including the awesome folks at Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports

Read the story:

Veterans are finding relief from PTSD and injuries through free outdoor recreation programs nationwide.

05/29/2026

Last year, Emma Paden taught adaptive recreation at the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah. This year, she returned as a participant after sustaining a spinal cord injury from a climbing fall.

Before her injury, Emma worked as an adaptive recreation instructor at the NAC and built her life around movement, community, and time outside. She originally found adaptive recreation after stepping away from the pressure of competitive college athletics and quickly fell in love with the freedom and joy it offered.

Then, last summer, everything changed.

“A lot of my world felt turned upside down in the last year,” Emma shared.

Returning to recreation after injury came with both physical and mental challenges, but adaptive recreation gave Emma a space to reconnect with herself again through adaptive mountain biking and mono-skiing. Emma held a supervisor position at the NAC over this past ski season.

“After my accident, reconnecting with recreation was so freeing,” Emma said. “Outdoor recreation felt healthy and peaceful in comparison.”

Today, Emma races with the NAC Para Off-Road Cycling Team. She also works with the Mountain Trails Foundation on their Adaptive Trail Assessment Program. In her role with MTF, Emma helps evaluate trails and outdoor spaces through the lens of accessibility and identifies opportunities to make recreation more welcoming and usable for people with disabilities.

For Emma, that work feels like a natural extension of the path she's already been on. Whether she's supporting participants at the NAC, advocating for more accessible trails, or lining up for a bike race, she continues to help create opportunities for more people to experience the outdoors.

Emma’s story reflects something the NAC sees every day: adaptive recreation does more than create access to sport. It creates space for people to reconnect with themselves, rebuild confidence, and find community through major life transitions.

Read Emma’s full Participant Spotlight story here: https://nationalabilitycenter.org/participant-spotlight-emma-paden/

This Participant Spotlight is brought to you by Big-D Signature and Big-D Construction, whose support helps create access to adaptive recreation, specialized equipment, and outdoor experiences for participants navigating disability, injury, and recovery.

[Image Descriptions: A 10-slide carousel featuring Emma Paden’s journey from adaptive recreation instructor to participant after a spinal cord injury. Photos show climbing, her teaching adaptive skiing, mono-skiing, adaptive mountain biking, and racing with the NAC Para Off-Road Cycling Team, alongside quotes about healing and community support. The final slide recognizes Big-D Construction and Big-D Signature for supporting participant stories.]