---
title: En Garde for Accessibility
date: 2022-03-28T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/en-garde-for-accessibility"
section: Articles
---
# En Garde for Accessibility

*March 28, 2022* — by [Annie Krakower](/author/annie-krakower)


> UMD Fencing Club’s New Equipment Allows Athletes Who Use Wheelchairs to Participate in Sport

*Para Fencing Noah Hanssen 0152022 SC 2831 1920x1080 — UMD Fencing Club Vice President Noah Hanssen, right, thrusts his épée toward fellow club member Nicko Kioutas during a recent practice in the School of Public Health Building. The club’s new accessible frame allows Hanssen (below), an international parafencer, to safely compete.*

En garde, ready, fence!

Épée in hand, University of Maryland Fencing Club Vice President Noah Hanssen ’23 lunges toward his opponent, twisting his body at the same time to avoid the rival swordsman’s swerves. He sneaks his weapon to his competitor’s side to record the touch, then immediately readies for the next round.

The action-packed bout, played to 10 touches during a club practice, is a blur of speedy skill—all performed while both fencers are seated.

This month, the UMD Fencing Club debuted its new accessible frame, which holds two wheelchairs steady at the proper distance and angles to allow parafencers to safely compete. Purchased with support from University Recreation and Wellness, the apparatus is a step toward more diversity in the sport.

“Hopefully, we can make our school more known for parafencing within the fencing community,” Hanssen said. “A lot of it is just awareness and pulling (in) the right people.”


*Noah Hanssen with fencing gear*


*Two fencers in wheelchairs fence*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Athletics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/athletics-tag), [Disability and Accessibility](https://today.umd.edu/topic/disability-and-accessibility)


**Units:** [Division of Student Affairs](https://today.umd.edu/topic/division-student-affairs), [University Recreation and Wellness](https://today.umd.edu/topic/university-recreation-and-wellness)