| American Canoe Association “Since 1990, the American Canoe Association (ACA) has lead the field in developing best practices of Inclusive Paddlesports (e.g., Canoeing, Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding and Rafting). Through train-the-trainer programs, the ACA spearheads professional development within the adaptive paddlesport community, teaching the skills and knowledge needed to outfit equipment and modify teaching styles to enable people of all abilities to participate in paddlesports. In 2013, the ACA partnered with the Olympic Opportunity Fund to present Adaptive Paddlesport Workshops for Team River Runner and Disable Sports USA Chapters working exclusively with disabled Veterans throughout the country. The ACA’s Adaptive Paddlesport Workshops are designed to provide instructors, outfitters, recreation program providers, and rehabilitation professionals with the information they need to seamlessly integrate all paddlers with disabilities into their programs. The workshops utalize both a classroom component and a hands-on learning component that includes a pool session and open water paddling. Workshops include instruction on how to compensate for paddlers’ loss of function due to disability, how to adapt equipment and how to focus on the paddlers’ ability. Through a network of instructors endorsed through the ACA’s Adaptive Program, the ACA creates far reaching and life altering impacts within the entire disabled community. ACA maintains a database of certified paddlesport instructors who have successfully completed Adaptive Paddlesport Workshops. The database is available on the ACA website and is updated annually: https://aca.site-ym.com/?page=Find_Instructors. The ACA also maintains a calendar of Adaptive Paddlesport Events offered throughout the country: https://aca.site-ym.com/?page=FindCourses. The ACA Adaptive Program’s goal is to enable seamless integration of everyone who wants to pursue an active paddlesports lifestyle.” |