Principal Sponsor

Membership Requirements 2008

Passport Renewals 2008

In keeping with the significant changes made last season and to further simplify the processing of your passport renewal we shall post a notice of renewal to season 2007 passport holders together with a copy of their member record for review and change where necessary. Renewal notices will be posted out on April 1, 2008 In addition we have reduced the cost passport renewals for 2008 if you get in early.:

• Early Bird Passport renewals made prior to May 31, 2008 – $55.00
• Passport renewals after May 31, 2008 – $65.00

As we move toward another winter ski season, Disabled WinterSport Australia (DWA) continues to look at providing existing and new Passport holders with improved member services and support.

In recent years, DWA has adopted several initiatives designed to provide greater opportunity to participate in snow sports at all Australian ski areas with improved access and safety being paramount.

Those initiatives include:

• increased knowledge of disability, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and intellectual disability
• improved instruction and care of people with a disability in an alpine environment
• ways to improve ski area facilities for people with a disability.

All persons wishing to become a Passport holder and member of DWA must apply annually on the authorised DWA Application Form. No other application form will be accepted.

Your application should be submitted as soon as practical. With the issue of new Passports and the accompanying application processes, DWA will use its best endeavours to process your application as quickly as possible. Incomplete applications or those not completed properly will be returned or will result in further information being requested, and this will lead to delays in determining the application.

The application form seeks sufficiently detailed information regarding your disability, including from appropriate and relevant professionals and specialists if required, and detailed information of the effect your disability may have upon your ability to ski, the degree or nature of support you may require, your ability to use ski area lifting and to communicate effectively at all times with ski area personnel such as instructors, lift attendants and ski patrollers, especially in the event of an emergency or accident on the ski slopes.

Process for Applications

All persons wishing to become a Passport holder and member of DWA must apply annually on the authorised DWA Application Form (currently dated March 2008). No other application form will be accepted.

Attached are key “Frequently Asked Questions,” or FAQ’s, together with answers that will further explain the new application and evaluation processes. If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact DWA.

How to join:
If you wish to become a member of DWA please printout and complete the Membership Application Form, referring to the FAQ, then send it along with the required additional documentation outlined on the form to:

Disabled WinterSport Australia
15 Beverley Street
Merimbula NSW 2548

Tel: (02) 6495 4334
Email: finsko@bigpond.net.au

Rights and Responsibilities

• Disabled members of Disabled WinterSport Australia carrying a current DWA passport are entitled to concessions off the cost of tickets and lessons at all ski resorts in Australia. To be sure of what is available at a particular resort, contact the ski school or ticket office before your visit to the resorts.
• Lesson times at each resort will vary and is dependent on demand, particularly prior to midday. Please check with the ski school at the resort you intend visiting regarding availability. Resort details are available on the Links page.
• You must present your current DWA passport when purchasing a ticket so that resort personnel can easily identify you. Failure to show your passport will result in you having to pay full prices.
• All DWA passport holders must have their passport on their person at all times while skiing. The passport will have vital information such as; emergency contact details, current medications, allergies and any other important information that can assist medical personnel in case of an emergency on the slope. Please ensure that the passport is carried with you and kept safe and dry at all times while skiing.
• Any abuse of either the passport or escort/guide concession system will result in loss of concessions to the offender.
• Under no circumstances do concessions entitle members to lift line privileges. Members who find it difficult standing in the lift lines can ski to the head of the queue and wait until their partner comes through the line, or if skiing alone, wait for a single. If skiing with an escort, the escort is to go through the line. Please co-operate fully with the lift operator at all times.
• For those members who require the lifts to be stopped for on and off loading, please try to avoid the rush periods, usually on Saturdays and Sundays. This would be appreciated by your fellow skiers.
• Please advise the lift operator at the bottom station that you are disabled and what you require of them. All personnel are trained to handle these situations and are only too willing to help.
• Ensure your ticket is firmly attached to your clothing and in clear view. There is no replacement for lost or stolen tickets.
• Sit skiers, mono and bi- skiers and blind skiers, must be accompanied by a ski guide who is capable of assisting the lift operator with on and off loading procedures.
• It is recommended that any skier who may be subject to periods of unconsciousness, blackouts, or seizures, wear a restraint belt that can be attached to the chair lift to ensure safety whilst riding lifts as well as ski with a guide/carer at all times.
• We strongly recommend that all sit skis be fitted with proper evacuation straps to assist in chair lift evacuations should the need arise. If you have inquires on this matter please contact our DWA office.
• It is absolutely vital that as you are loaded onto a chairlift, that the safety bar is lowered immediately and that if using a sit ski the restraint straps are then fastened to the chair. Please be ready to remove restraint straps from the chair and raise the safety bar just prior to offloading the chairlift.
• Please adhere and respect all directives from mountain personnel and the Alpine Responsibility Code on the back of this page. These measures are in place for your safety.

SKIING IS A DANGEROUS SPORT