Help create inclusion through paddlesports!
Paddle-N-More (PNM) and Adaptive Expeditions are teaming up to provide both American Canoe Association Universal Paddling Instructor Endorsement Workshops.
Adaptive Expeditions is an interactive educational nonprofit using sport and recreation to offer health & wellness programs to individuals with physical and sensory disabilities. Through education and outdoor recreation adventures, Adaptive Expeditions empowers individuals with both technical skills and personal confidence to maintain active, independent lifestyle (source: Adaptive Expeditions website).
Course Overview
Join Adaptive Expeditions and Paddle N More for this 4-Day Course that will include both ACA Universal Paddling Program Instructor Endorsements. ACA Instructors can earn the Adaptive Paddling Instructor Endorsement as well as the Advanced Communications Instructor Endorsement. Become an ACA Universal Paddlesports Instructor and be the change!
The Adaptive Paddlesports Training is designed for current American Canoe Instructors who are interested in working with individuals with disabilities. As part of the American Canoe Association Universal Paddling Program, current ACA Instructors will earn the Advanced Communications Workshop (ACW) and Adaptive Paddling Workshop (APW) endorsements upon successful completion.
Please read the Course Essentials below to gather more details about dates and requirements. This ACA credentialing program is the gold standard accreditation for adaptive paddlesport instruction.
Determine Eligibility
Registrants must be current American Canoe Association Instructors and have a current membership. To determine eligibility before registering, please review the ACA Instructor Endorsement Criteria below:
ACA Advanced Communications Workshop (ACW)
ACA Advanced Communications Endorsement is designed for instructors, outfitters, recreation program managers, trip leaders, and all others who want to seamlessly integrate people with speech & language impairments, hearing impairments or deafness, visual impairments or blindness into paddlesports programs. Advanced Communications Workshops provide a basic understanding of disabilities that affect communication and provides a toolbox of knowledge, techniques and strategies to enable successful integration.
ACA Adaptive Paddling Workshop (APW)
Adaptive Paddling Workshops (APWs) provide the information necessary to seamlessly integrate individuals with physical disabilities into outdoor recreation programs in the context of paddlesports.
The APW focuses on five key topics: (1) Language, Etiquette and Interaction, (2) The Legal Context, (3) Cultivating Seamless Integration, (4) Adaptive Outfitting Concepts & Goals, and (5) Mechanics of Adaptive Outfitting for Paddlesports. APWs involve hands-on learning in a classroom and in calm, protected waters.
For paddlesport participants with physical disabilities, the ACA APW offers a perfect opportunity to learn from experts about how to modify kayaking, paddle-boarding, rafting, or canoe equipment to paddle comfortably, safely and with a high level of performance.
Course Essentials
- 5-Day Course (1 day of online coursework and 4 days of in-person practicum)
- In-Person Course Dates: June 14-17, 2023
- Your Instructor: Joe Moore from Adaptive Expeditions
- Host Location: Paddle-N-More, Myers Park, Lansing, NY
Online Coursework Requirement: Prior to participation in the 4-day ACW and APW in-person practicum, instructors must complete a series of online courses related to the following. Online course access will be provided after registration is complete for the APW & ACW course. Please be patient as Joe will need to give you access. Online course completion requirements must be completed 1 week prior to the in-person course.
- Disability Language & Etiquette
- ADA Integration Mandate & Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
- Lifejackets & Physical Disabilities
- Transfers & Adaptive Recreation
- Releasability & Skin Protection
Registration
This program is now full – Contact Joe at joe@aeoutdoors.org if you are interested in getting on a waitlist. To register for the ACA ACW & APW, please go to American Canoe Association ACW + APW Instructor Credentialing Courses through Adaptive Expeditions.
Questions
If you have questions related to course registration please contact contact Joe Moore from Adaptive Expeditions at joe@aeoutdoors.org.
SITE CREDITS