Canoeing and Kayaking for People with Disabilities

Book excerpt: These topics are presented in the text: general guidelines for working with people with disabilities; information on legal requirements, including accessiblity at facilities and launching and landing sites, program access, development of eligibility criteria, and assessment of facility accessiblity; thorough coverage of common disabilities, their implications for instructors, and teaching strategies and adaptations for each disability; guidance in choosing gear and modifying or building equipment to meet the needs of paddlers with disabilities; consideration of safety and risk factors, rescue piorities, and adaptations for rolling; and factors to consider when planning a trip, including the ratio of paddlers with and without disabilities, taking wheelchairs and mobility devices on the trip, and route selection.