*After registering for the course, participants can login to Canvas here (https://shrs-pitt.instructure.com/login/canvas)*

Course Overview

Adaptive Sports and Recreation provides people with disabilities opportunities to exercise and participate in activities in their community. This course was developed through a grant from the Veterans Administration (VA). The VA is an agency in the United States that provides funding for both adaptive sports and recreation equipment as well as support to community-based programs to support veteran participation. Although community-based Adaptive Sports programs nationwide are typically managed by qualified personnel with expertise in this area, these events often depend upon and recruit volunteers and staff who don not have any prior formal training.

Program Goals

The purpose of this online training is to introduce and explore important information about people with disabilities. We will explain the concept 'disability' and other basic skills for interacting with people with disabilities.

Program Components

• This course covers the fundamentals of disability and basic awareness across a range of adaptive sports and recreation equipment for the non-healthcare professional. There are three independent sections, each 20-30 minutes in length.
• Section 1: Disability Etiquette helps participants recognize common mistakes and will familiarize them with appropriate language and etiquette when interacting with people with disabilities.
• Section 2: Adaptive Sports & Medical Equipment introduces participants to specific equipment that individuals will use in their everyday lives and when engaging in specific adaptive sporting events.
• Section 3: Functional & Medical Aspects of Disability introduces basic medial concepts and functional considerations pertinent to people with disabilities who participate in adaptive sports and recreation.

Participant Expectations

This course is taught at a beginner level, requires no prior experience and is not intended to make course graduates experts in this field; rather, it provides some helpful information to volunteers prior to their engagement in adaptive sports and recreation activities and events.

At the Conclusion of Course:

• Participants will have:
  
  • Increased awareness of proper etiquette when interacting with people who have disabilities.
  • Basic knowledge of common Assistive Technologies and other devices people with disabilities use in everyday activities and for participation in adaptive sports and recreation.
  • Basic understanding of common functional and medical conditions that people who participate in adaptive sports and recreational activities may have.

Acknowledgement

The Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh received a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events (NVSP&SE), Funding Opportunity Number VA-SPORTS-19 to develop this online course.