John Humbrecht
Recreation/Development | 2018
Hometown: Rollinsville, Colorado
School Name: Ignite Adaptive Sports and University of Colorado in Boulder
While in graduate school at the University of Colorado in Boulder, John Humbrecht took on an extra project to develop adaptations for people with disabilities to better utilize existing computer interfaces. From that experience, he went on to dedicate his life to providing inclusive sports and recreational opportunities to people with disabilities.. John has spent more than 18 years with Ignite SnowSports, a winter adaptive sports program located at Eldora Mountain Ski Resort outside of Boulder. He rose rapidly through the ranks, eventually becoming the Ignite Snowsports Director in charge of training, safety, and technical direction. He has held that position for the last 13 years.
John started making training videos and is working on a training video for Eldora Lift Operations, demonstrating how adaptive equipment and participants load and unload and what may be required of the lift operators. He developed and implemented inservice trainings for ski resort operators to facilitate the inclusion of skiers with disabilities on the mountain.
John also developed an online scheduling system that was eventually used by several sister adaptive organizations. He developed a smartphone sensor app for those who have no feeling in extremities to alert them regarding temperature problems in those areas. The device has helped scores of skiers to avoid frostbite. Another aid he has developed is a pressure sensor device used for sit skiers that will alert them to areas of excessive pressure in sensitive areas. John has remained a leader in product and technical development for adaptive winter sports.
