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