Sports Providers - Move United

Wheelchair athlete training young athlete in gym.

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Sports Providers

Move United Education enables sports providers to deliver improved program services to their communities through our adaptive sport training opportunities.

About

Move United elevates the adaptive sports industry by enabling sports providers to deliver improved program services to their communities through training and education opportunities. In addition to the supporting the industry with Move United Education products, Move United Education also provides a calendar packed with a variety of trainings. Throughout over 50 years of progress and success on this front, the major underpinnings of the success is the support of the public, foundations, corporations, and from the government.

With the initial mission of promoting safe and effective ski instruction for disabled veterans with limb loss in 1956, Move United’s work in training and education has since expanded across dozens of sports, working in collaboration with various National Governing Bodies and leading sport agencies to train thousands of mainstream and adaptive sport/recreation providers.

The early roots of adaptive sport dates back to the rehabilitation of World War II veterans. Jim Winthers, a WWII veteran who was a member of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division – the Skiing 10th, an elite group specifically trained for alpine warfare – was a leading pioneer in experimenting with ways to continue skiing despite limb loss in the 1950s. He later was sought out by Jim Graham, a former skier who lost his leg to cancer and wanted to learn Winthers’ techniques. Together they further developed techniques to impart skiing and teaching methods at weeklong clinics. It was realized early on that in order to get disabled people skiing safely and effectively, it was critical to have highly trained instructors knowledgeable in the specialized adaptive techniques. Kirk Bauer, who served as Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA for 47 years, formed a team of trainers to teach all throughout the country. These pioneers in adaptive ski methods and instructor training include Doug Pringle, Bill Bowness, Katherine Hayes Rodriguez, Hal O’Leary and Peter Axelson. This led to the eventual creation of a formal adaptive ski instructor training and certification pathway which continues to evolve and set the standard for adaptive sport instruction through PSIA-AASI.

Since then, skiing has been used as a model to develop adaptive methods and training in other sports like kayaking, cycling, water skiing, and beyond, always with the intent to empower the person with the disability to participate to the best of their ability – they are not simply a passenger along for a ride. Move United continues to help bridge the gap in sport/recreation activities where adaptive methods and formal coach training do not exist, as well as promoting best practices for inclusion throughout community-based sport/recreation opportunities. By taking the standard teaching techniques that National Governing Bodies of a sport use and simply adapting them for athletes with disabilities, together we reach the goal of sharing the power and thrill of sport with everyone.

Disabled Sports USA launch of the Adapt2Achieve training and education program in 2009 brought a renewed focus on professionalizing the adaptive sport industry, with an initial offer to the chapter network as an exclusive membership benefit Events and resources gradually expanded to reach other community-based sport organizations and VA Medical Centers with free and low cost education that couldn’t be found elsewhere.

Training Programs

Move United partners with National Governing Bodies and other training providers to offer Veteran-Serving Organizations and others access to free and low-cost education and certification opportunities. To learn more about upcoming events or submit a request, contact us through the form below by selecting 'education' as the category.

Additional Resources

Male athlete in wheelchair playing tennis about to hit a tennis ball

Training Resource Library

Move United’s Education program is proud to support the training of adaptive instructors through the production of sports-specific manuals, education programs and training grants, as well as safety and risk reduction information. Please check back for updates and new materials as our library of sports-safety materials continues to grow.

Training Resource Library

Move United Education Webinars

Watch prior Move United Education webinars (formerly Adapt2Achieve webinars) on our YouTube channel!

Move United YouTube Channel

National Adaptive Academy

Offered as a part of The Hartford Ski Spectacular, the PSIA-AASI National Adaptive Academy is a continuing education opportunity open to providers interested in learning more about adaptive snowsports instruction. Examiners and clinicians certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) will present the latest in adapted ski and snowboard teaching methods. Programs are offered for all disciplines and levels.

The Hartford Ski Spectacular

FAQ

Who attends Move United Education's training programs?

Each year our calendar is packed with a variety of administrative, fundraising, program development and adaptive sports training for coaches, therapists, volunteers, military staff and adaptive sports professionals.

Why should you participate in a training?

-Learn the latest adaptive sports teaching techniques from experts in the field
-Discover tips for raising more money
-Keep your participants safe with risk reduction best practices
-Find out how to better market your programs to new participants and volunteers
-Learn how to better manage human resources and volunteer staffing
-Network with other adaptive sports professionals

How does registration work?

Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and organizations in the Move United network have access to exclusive perks like priority registration, and free or reduced enrollment fees.

How can I stay informed about upcoming training opportunities?

Move United communicates its training opportunities in numerous places, including our monthly member e-newsletter exclusively for Move United membership network and on Move United's event listing calendar.

How can my organization become a host for a training?

Opportunities to host various trainings will be advertised periodically throughout the year. To inquire about current or upcoming opportunities, please contact education@moveunitedsport.org or 301-217-9839.

How can I get involved as a trainer?

Move United seeks experts in adaptive sport and other related topics to develop and deliver training to the chapter network. If you have any further questions about Move United Education's training programs, please contact education@moveunitedsport.org or 301-217-9839.