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Adaptive ice skating programs

Learn about adaptive ice skating programs offered November through March.

The Universal Access Program offers adaptive skating programs each winter. You can lace up a pair of conventional skates or glide around the ice in your manual or power wheelchair. Ice sleds are also available to use. In a sled, you can push yourself with small hockey sticks or be pushed around the rink by a friend. Spin, slide, race, slalom, and play gently competitive games. Activities on the ice include obstacle courses, a tower of blocks for building up and crashing down, races, colorful balls and pucks to shoot around, power chair games, and gently competitive hockey matches.

Ice sleds, skate walkers, helmets, ice grippers, and ice skates are available at our programs. Admission and equipment are provided free of cost, but you have to pre-register with the providing organization. Skaters must fill out a release form and meet our essential eligibility criteria for ice skating programs.

A large group of young adult skaters is on the ice in front of a hockey net. Some skaters are using skate walkers, some skaters are using ice sleds, and one skater is using a walker with a harness.
You can enjoy the ice in many ways at an adaptive skating program!

Adaptive skating programs

Below, you'll find our upcoming adaptive skating programs from November 2019 through March 2020 listed by location.

East Boston

Porrazzo Memorial Rink, Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m. 

November 19, December 17, January 14, February 11, and March 3

Fall River

Arthur R. Driscoll Memorial Rink, Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–12:50 p.m.

January 29 and February 26

Holyoke

Henry J. Fitzpatrick Rink, Sundays, 1 p.m.–2:50 p.m.

November 17, December 8, January 12, February 9, and March 8

Worcester

Charles J. Buffone Rink, Thursdays, 10 a.m.–11:50 a.m.

January 23 and March 12

Seasonal assisted public skating

This adaptive skating program takes place during public skating on a separate section of the rink. Ice sleds, skate walkers, and ice skates are available. There is no cost to attend the program, but pre-registration is required. 

Brockton

John G. Asiaf Memorial Rink, Sundays, 1:20 p.m.–3:10 p.m.

January 5 & 19 and February 2 & 16

Additional Resources

Essential eligibility criteria for Universal Access Program participants
DCR UAP Participant Registration and Release Form (PDF 200.7 KB)

Skating in summer social in East Boston

Two men are standing in front of a table with food on it. The man on the left is holding a hamburger in tongs, and the man on the right is holding a hot dog. The tablecloth reads FMC ICE SPORTS.

We host an annual summer skating cookout at Porrazzo Rink in East Boston. This is a day to enjoy adaptive ice skating inside while we also grill burgers and hot dogs outside. This beautiful skating rink is located on Constitution Beach, which has beach wheelchairs and beach mat for you to use. You can enjoy the beach and warm up after skating.

Out of an abundance of caution due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, the 2020 summer skating cookout has been canceled. For more information, call the Universal Access Program at (857) 260-1519 or email laila.soleimani@mass.gov.

Seasonal sled hockey

Play sled hockey September through March with Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers (SASC) at DCR's Allied Veterans Memorial Rink in Everett and DCR's Emmons Horrigan O'Neill Memorial Rink in Charlestown. Practices include skills training and games while ensuring age appropriate instruction and play.

To more information, visit the SASC online calendar, call (877) 976-7272, or email spauldingadaptivesports@partners.org.

A sled hockey player is seated in an ice sled holding two short hockey sticks and looking at the puck in front of him. He is wearing a Boston Shamrocks Sled Hockey jersey.
Photo by Terry Downey
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