One of the community's brightest leaders in accessibility will be sharing her passion with the entire world this summer as a torchbearer for the 2008 Paralymic Games. Sarah Tipler has been chosen by the Sea to Sky Paralympic Torch Bearer Selection Committee to represent the corridor in Beijing along with Para-Alpine Ski Team member Brad Lennea.Tipler was the driving force behind establishing the District of Squamish's Accessibility Committee, whose mandate is to ensure broader inclusion of residents to buildings and services associated with public institutions such as municipal government, school board and hospital. Squamish Coun. Mike Jenson said Tipler was "invaluable" in getting a $20,000 grant from the provincial Measuring Up program, which launched the drive toward accessibility by first assessing the municipality's current strengths and weaknesses."She was very tireless in getting us that grant," said Jenson. "She researched the grant, brought the idea for the grant to council. Council approved the application then we went through the process of starting up the accessibility committee. She was one of the founding members behind that."I think it's very good that she's going to represent us in the Paralympic exchange of torches."In addition to efforts to improve accessibility, Tipler also volunteers at VANOC events and works in the race office during the Rotary GS and BC Para-Alpine Championships. She recently became an Alpine Level 1 Race Official, and has plans to volunteer as a race official in coming years. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Sea to Sky Forum.Tipler and Lennea will join eight additional Canadians being selected for the relay-four by the City of Vancouver and four by the Canadian Paralympic Committee. All travel, accommodation and meals for torchbearers will be covered by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG). Tipler says she's "thrilled" to be going to the Paralympic Games in Beijing. "It's not only a wonderful opportunity, it's also fantastic to be identified by your peers, as someone they would choose to represent the region and the values that the Olympic and Paralympic Games exemplify," she said."I'm appreciative to BOCOG for extending an invitation to the next host cities to ensure that the celebration of the Paralympic Games will also include a torch ceremony."The selection committee reviewed 11 nominations and went through an anonymous voting process. The selection committee was comprised of members of Whistler's Accessibility Advisory Committee, which includes local residents, business owners, Paralympic organizers and ski champions.
