Nico has recently been named an ambassador for Arc’teryx, my favorite brand of outdoor gear. Below is a message he posted on his Instagram account.

I still very much feel like a learner in the accessibility space. As someone who grew up with few accessibility needs, I took my own mobility and independence for granted. Sure, having a disability is hard sometimes, but I had what I needed to get to the places I wanted to go and a supportive community. Access to outdoor spaces has been one of the greatest single contributors to my overall wellbeing. I find peace and joy outside with my friends & family. Feeling connected to the more than human world, actively moving through it, appreciating trees, and reflecting on the balance of it all gives me a sense of oneness and comfort.

However, many people with disabilities and other marginalized groups have limited access to the outdoors. I remember feeling this distinctly for the first time when I visited Tanzania in 2007. People with disabilities lacked the assistive technology they needed. Assistive tech can be expensive, many places are not wheelchair accessible, and the community as a whole has historically been left out of the conversation. When the place itself is inaccessible, then people with disabilities remain invisible. I’m excited to be working with Arc’Teryx to try to tackle some of these challenges and work to make the outdoors a more accessible place regardless of ability. I look forward to learning more about the diverse needs of people with disabilities and working together to offer opportunities to the wider Boston community.