WEDNESDAY, MAY 24TH TO SATURDAY, MAY 27TH 

One of two professional paddlesports Instructor Endorsements within the ACA Universal Paddling Program, Adaptive Paddling Workshops (APWs) provide the information necessary to seamlessly integrate individuals with physical disabilities into outdoor recreation programs in the context of paddlesports.

APWs focus 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.

ACA trained individuals can now be found in nearly every adaptive paddlesports program throughout the country.   This ACA credentialing program is truly the gold standard accreditation for adaptive paddlesport instruction.

For paddlesport participants with physical disabilities, the ACA APW offers a perfect opportunity to learn from experts about how to modify kayaking, paddle-boarding, dragon boat, or canoe equipment to paddle comfortably, safely and with a high level of performance.

The second of the two professional paddlesports instructor endorsements within the ACA Universal Paddling Program, the new ACA Advanced Communications Endorsement was 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. Current ACA Instructors will earn the Advanced Communications Endorsement upon successful completion.