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Growing the Game Through Accessible & “Inclusive” Golf
Programs
THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ACCESSIBLE GOLF
501c-3 non-profit national organization established in 2001
THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ACCESSIBLE GOLF
Mission: To promote and facilitate the
inclusion of people with disabilities into the game of golf
POTENTIAL REACH TODAY 29 Million!
THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ACCESSIBLE GOLF
http://www.accessgolf.org/about/board.cfm
An advocacy board with industry-wide representation managed by the Board of Directors, its Executive Committee, an Executive Director and a Grant Consultant
WHAT DO WE DO?
Blend our expertise and resources (organizations and individual) to help bring people with disabilities into the game or back into the game
HOW?
• Awareness• Education and Training• Funding player development
programs that promote inclusive learning and play
environments
SUCCESS…SO FAR!
USGA Alliance Grants Program Since 2010: • $500,000+ in program funding • 68 Programs• 8,000+ Individuals• 27 States
GOLF PROGRAMS & INCLUSION
What does this mean?
INCLUSION MEANS
Continuum of Inclusive ProgramsContinuum of Inclusive 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
WHAT CAN WE DO?DO THE MATH!
There are 57 million Americans with some form of disability or impairment…
Individuals with Disabilities have $215 million in disposable income and $1 trillion in aggregate income
WHAT CAN WE DO?DO THE MATH!
National Center on Accessibility study:• 10 percent of persons with some
disability now play golf, or• 5.7 million are already in the “game” at
some level
WHAT CAN WE DO?DO THE MATH!
• 22 percent of those with disabilities played golf before incurring their disability or injury, but are not playing now, or
• 11.3 million lapsed golfers
WHAT CAN WE DO?DO THE MATH!
• 35 percent of individuals with disabilities are currently not playing golf, but are interested in learning, or
• 18 million interested golfers
WHAT CAN WE DO?DO THE MATH!
29 Million Potential Golfers!
GOLF IS FORE ALLYOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!
INCLUSION PROGRAMS&
GROWTH OF THE GAME
Inclusion &Growth of the Game
• ACCESSIBLE & INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS– Dispelling fears and
Opening “the Game fore ALL”– Programmatic & Physical Access to the Game– Offering Inclusive Learning and Play Programs
Growing the GAME FORE ALL!
• How can you get involved and expand your learning and play programs to be more inclusive?
Suggested Training & ResourcesOutreach in your CommunitySuggested Best Practices
Facility and Industry-wide Programs & Inclusion
Education, Training & Resources
Alliance Resources
• Toolkits for Golfers & Facility Operators• 1 & 2 Day Training Programs• Industry Presentations & Webinars
Resourceshttp://www.accessgolf.org/resources/index.cfm• Opportunities in Your Area• Toolkit for Golfers• Toolkit for Golf Course Owners• Handicapping for Golfers with Disabilities• Modification To The Rules Of Golf For Golfers
With Disabilities• Links
Getting Started
Outreach Strategies Best Practices-Program Examples
Simple ideas to start an inclusive golf program for people with
disabilities
1– Be committed to reaching out
2- People with disabilities have varied abilities just like anyone else– that thought is important
Simple ideas to start an inclusive golf program for people with
disabilities3-Leave any stereotypes or perceptions that you may have behind… You will
be surprised at how a different thought process might help
Simple ideas to start an inclusive golf program for people with
disabilities
CREATE A WELCOMING ATTITUDE FORE ALL
Some other thoughts
Just as any other individuals have different goals, so do those with disabilities
The potential and possibilities for ANYONE to participate are unlimited in golf
Some other thoughts
Golf can be experienced in many ways today beyond a 9 or 18 hole round…
People may find “their golf” through a practice range, putting green or playing a 1 , 2, or 3 hole experience only…that may be all that the individual is seeking or capable of…
GETTING STARTEDOUTREACH
FIND out if any rehab center or other agency in your area has any form of a golf program.Contact your local PGA Section Office or LPGA Chapter.CONNECT with them and Partner Up!
GETTING STARTEDOUTREACH
REACH out to other agencies and rehab centers that provide services for individuals with disabilities. They may have never thought of golf as an alternative activity
GO to them… learn about them and the people in their programs and show them how golf can enhance their lives
Best Practices-Program Examples
• A program for kids with hemophilia started a golf program because kids with bleeding disorders can’t play contact sports.
• After a couple of years some of the participants were able to get involved in a local First Tee program that included them right in the program with other kids.
Best Practices-Program Examples
• A renowned program for children in the North East, made their entire short course physically accessible for people with mobility impairments
• People with disabilities from the community were invited and encouraged to join existing golf and instructional programs already in existence
Best Practices-Program Examples
• A golf program was created in Ohio for people with disabilities, then joined with the existing junior golf program to insure that they would be able to be included in ongoing programs for people without disabilities
Best Practices-Program Examples
• A private rehabilitation center in the Midwest partnered with one of the local parks and recreation departments to provide adaptive equipment and merge parts of their programs to provide full inclusive golf for participants ready to take the next step in their golf life.
Best Practices-Program Examples
• A very successful program located at a rehabilitation center in the Midwest, reached out to the local golf community to have participants in community based golf programs, use the rehab center’s short course and engage with participants with disabilities in an inclusive golf league
Best Practices-Program Examples
• A Special Olympics golf program teamed up with local high schools to conduct interscholastic golf programs for Special Olympic Athletes along side the high school golf team!
GROWING THE GAME FORE ALL…