Accessible Golf: Best Practices for Growing
the Game
Carrie RiordanDirector of Public Policy
Gary RobbPresident
Why We Are Here
Prevalence of Disability
50+ million people with disabilitiesin the United States
1 in 5 U.S. residents has a disability (19%)
2.6 million ages 5-15 with a disability (5.8%)
20.9 million U.S. families have at least one family member with a disability (28%)
2 in every 7 families affected by disability
Source: 2000 U.S. CensusSource: U.S. Census (2000), Disability & American Families 2000 (July 2005)
A closer look …
25 million people have difficulty walking a quarter mile or climbing a flight of 10 stairs
2.2 million use wheelchairs
6.4 million use a cane, crutches or walker
Source: 1997 Report “Americans with Disabilities” based on the Survey of Income and Program Participation
U.S. Population
8 million people have difficulty hearing conversation
7.7 million people have difficulty reading newspaper
14.3 million people have a cognitive impairment
Source: 1997 Report “Americans with Disabilities” based on the Survey of Income and Program Participation
Boomers and beyond Aging Baby Boomers acquiring disabilities
30.6 million, 21 - 64 years old
Currently 12.5% +65 years old; 2030- 20% 43% with some type of disability 72% 80 years and older
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
U.S. Administration on Aging based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau., 2008
Golf Programs for/with people with disabilities
Many different types of programs:• National > Local• Disability specific > broad disability range• Inclusive
Continuum of programsContinuum of programs
Inclusion based
golfprograms
Inclusion based
golfprograms
Awareness Programs
Awareness Programs
One DayTournaments
One DayTournaments
One DayAwareness
Clinics
One DayAwareness
Clinics
Independent Living Centers
Independent Living Centers
Specific Disability
competitions
Specific Disability
competitions
Practice facilities Practice facilities
Golf as Rehab Tool; Program for Transition
Golf as Rehab Tool; Program for Transition
Hospitals &Rehabilitation
Hospitals &Rehabilitation
Specialized ProgramsSpecialized Programs
InclusionCentered
InclusionCentered
Community Based GolfCommunity Based Golf
Specialized &Segregated
programs
Specialized &Segregated
programs
Par 3 & Executivecourses
Par 3 & Executivecourses
9 & 18 hole golf
facilities
9 & 18 hole golf
facilities
Braemar Golf Club/Sister Kinney InstituteEdina, Minnesota
Sister Kenny Institute Golf Program for Golfers with Physical Disabilities
Weekly golf program, each summer since 1979.
Adaptive equipment and special instruction.
Golfers using wheelchairs, walkers and other aids.
Instructs golfers with disabilities in adapted golfing techniques.
Allows golfers with disabilities to enjoy the sport with their families and friends.
Sponsors an annual competitive tournament.
Gives people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue their leisure interest in golf.
Allows volunteers to be involved in, and to promote, a recreational program that increases awareness of the abilities of people with physical disabilities.
Program participants are responsible for paying course greens fees each week.
Braemar Golf Club/Sister Kinney InstituteEdina, Minnesota
Braemar Golf Club/Sister Kinney InstituteEdina, Minnesota
Consultations with therapeutic recreational specialists
Assistance with swing techniques and introduction to adapted
Equipment designed to meet the needs of individual golfers
Free loaner golf clubs and access to golf cars and single-rider golf cars
Five golf lessons from a golf professional who has 10 years of experience teaching individuals with disabilities
Buddie’s BuddiesCity of Overland Park, Kansas
www.buddiesbuddies.org
Buddie’s Buddies/ City of Overland Park, KansasProgram director is both a PGA and Adaptive Golf Foundation certified golf instructor
Program Services:
Player Assessment
Professional Instruction
Rules & Course Technique of Golf
Fitting & Adaptive Equipment
The programs are free of charge and serve people of all ages.
Fore HopeOhio www.forehope.org
Mission :Transforming lives through therapeutic golf
Vision :Hope through therapeutic golf for any person with a disability
Nationally recognized, non-profit organization
Golf as an instrument to help in the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities
Recreational therapists and golf professionals
Program Partners:Columbus Recreation & Parks Department
Upper Arlington Recreation & Parks Department
Fore HopeOhio
The therapeutic values of golf:
Increased strength, endurance, range of motion
Increased tolerance, balance
Increased grip strength
Therapeutic recreation
Independence, social skills
Decision making skills, calculating
Enhanced short and long-term memory
Learn to Golf ProgramTexas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Learn to Golf Clinics half-day workshops that allow patients to work with professional golf instructors, volunteers and staff to learn the basics of grip, stance and swing.
Golf equipment and other adapted equipment is provided to help patients start playing golf.
Scholarships available to help patients continue to develop their skills by taking lessons from a local golf instructor and/or getting connected to their community junior golf program.
Tee Up for Teaching Seminars help professional golf instructors and allied healthcare professionals better understand how to work with golf students who have challenging physical conditions
Sacramento, California
Saving StrokesAmerican Heart Association
Fore Golf SacramentoDisabled Sports USA
Swing for the BlindThe First Tee of Greater Sacramento
California Eagles “Special Olympics” ProgramThe First Tee of Greater Sacramento
The City of SacramentoHaggin Oaks Golf Course
A national organization established to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities into the game of golf
www.accessgolf.org
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf
GAIN™
A National Model for Inclusion using Golf As the Social Agent
Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks
GAIN VIDEO
(March, 2005)
December, 2004
Project GAIN Sites
Specific findings…
Over the two years and nearly 700 subjects statistically significant findings include: Self-efficacy increases for GWD & MNT [Note:
this is considered a “gateway” behavior that propels PWD to more active engagement in life]
Future intentions to play the game increase for GWD & MNT
Active engagement outside the formal lessons increases for GWD & MNT
The new GAIN™
• GAIN Partners
• Camp GAIN
• GAIN Community
Commonalities of GAIN™ Program Models
All focus on including people with disabilities into golf
All include both people with and without disabilities
All use instruction to increase golf and socialization skills
All use inclusion activities to increase inclusion into the fabric of the community
GAIN™
Alliance support for GAIN™ sites Program Organization Mentoring and Inclusion Marketing and Recruitment of Participants Resources
Scorecard Lesson Plans Inclusion Activities Templates and Tools
GAIN™
Financial and Program Support Training Oversight and Technical Assistance
The Alliance is available to provide:
Equipment available to make golf accessible to people with disabilities
Practice Devices
Personal devices Golf Clubs
Miscellaneous Single rider golf cars
The USGA Resource Centerfor Individuals with Disabilities
The USGA Resource Centerfor Individuals with Disabilities
ACCESSIBLE GOLF RESOURCES ON THE WEB
http://www.resourcecenter.usga.org/Phone: 719-471-4810Phone: 719-471-4810
Resources
National Center on Accessibility (812) 856-4422 (voice) (812) 856-4421 (tty) www.ncaonline.org
National Alliance for Accessible Golf www.accessgolf.org
Resources
Disability and Business TechnicalAssistance Centers (DBTAC’s)
(800) 949-4232 (voice/tty) www.adata.org