Our Mission:
The Gliding Stars organization provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to increase their personal potential through development of ice skating skills in a regular program of instruction and practice in their own local community, culminating in the demonstration of those skills publicly in an end-of-season on-ice choreographed performance, which itself serves as a source of motivation, teamwork, increased self-esteem and the 'magic' that results from transcending one's barriers in order to accomplish one's dreams.

Strategy in Support of Our Mission:
Operation through Local Chapters:
Provide instructional expertise, specialized assistive products, administrative support and consultative guidance to community organizations nationwide so they may enroll and teach skaters with disabilities, through the engagement of volunteers and the procurement of assets required to successfully develop and operate a local Gliding Stars Adaptive Ice Skating Program.

Dissemination of Information and Instruction:
Spread the involvement in ice-skating for people with disabilities nationwide and worldwide by providing information and instruction for individuals and groups who are interested in developing similar programs to teach individuals with disabilities how to ice skate.

Standardization of Instruction:
Develop standards for instruction in adaptive ice skating for people with disabilities, and provide a program of certification for individuals and/or groups who wish to include such activities in other recreational programs.

What is Gliding Stars?
Gliding Stars, Inc. was originally founded in 1994 by Elizabeth M. O'Donnell. Ms. O'Donnell is an accomplished figure skater who turned her talents toward providing an extensive program of adaptive ice skating for people of all ages and challenges. She did this so that they could experience a part of normal life and the life-changing effects of regular exercise, social interaction, teamwork, family sharing, and a few hours of fame during the end-of-season Ice Extravaganza performance!
Our organization consists of a national headquarters, two products companies and local Chapters who provide on-ice instructional programs to members of many communities who are challenged by a variety of physical, mental and emotional disabilities. We are a registered tax-exempt charity under the IRS regulation 501(c)(3) and are also registered as such in our various States of operation.
The Chapters are managed by Coordinators with the assistance of many volunteers, specially trained on-ice instructors and community donors. It is in the Chapters where the special on-ice activity takes place during a typical 12 to 26 week skating season. At the end of each season, each Chapter provides a publicly-attended ice show to showcase the accomplishments of the participants and volunteers, and to provide the thrill of performing in a public, musical ice-dancing fantasy as incentive for all participants - a goal that inspires each of them during the season.
The Chapters use adaptive products specially designed and manufactured for Gliding Stars to assist them in their skating. These products provide an advantage on the ice for people who otherwise even have trouble standing or walking. Therefore, the products "level the playing field" and provide the opportunity for people with many types of challenges the magic of ice skating, and even ice dancing! Gliding Stars also markets many of these products to individuals and other organizations through its Gliding Stars Adaptive Products company.

Gliding Stars, Inc.
National Headquarters Office
1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 3
Amherst, New York, 14228-2778 USA
TEL: 716-608-8345
FAX: 716-608-8346