Accessible Golf: Best Practices for Growing the Game

1. Accessible Golf: Best Practices for Growing the Game Gary Robb President Carrie Riordan Director of Public Policy

2. Why We Are Here

3. 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: U.S. Census (2000), Disability & American Families 2000 (July 2005) Source: 2000 U.S. Census

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 U.S. Administration on Aging based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau., 2008 Source: 2000 U.S. Census

7. Golf Programs for/with people with disabilities Many different types of programs: National > Local Disability specific > broad disability range Inclusive

8. Continuum of programs Awareness Programs Hospitals & Rehabilitation Specialized Programs Inclusion Centered Community Based Golf One Day Tournaments Golf as Rehab Tool; Program for Transition Specialized & Segregated programs Practice facilities Inclusion based golf programs Par 3 & Executive courses One Day Awareness Clinics Independent Living Centers Specific Disability competitions 9 & 18 hole golf facilities

9. 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.

10. Braemar Golf Club/Sister Kinney InstituteEdina, Minnesota 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.

11. 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

12. Buddie’s BuddiesCity of Overland Park, Kansas www.buddiesbuddies.org

13. Buddie’s Buddies/ City of Overland Park, Kansas Program 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.

14. Fore HopeOhio www.forehope.org Program Partners:Columbus Recreation & Parks Department Upper Arlington Recreation & Parks Department Mission :Transforming lives through therapeutic golf Vision :Hope through therapeutic golf for any person with a disability Nationally recognized, non-profit organizationGolf as an instrument to help in the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities Recreational therapists and golf professionals

15. 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

16. 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

17. Sacramento, California The City of SacramentoHaggin Oaks Golf Course Saving StrokesAmerican Heart Association Fore Golf SacramentoDisabled Sports USA Swing for the BlindThe First Tee of GreaterSacramento California Eagles “Special Olympics” ProgramThe First Tee of Greater Sacramento

18. The National Alliance for Accessible Golf A national organization established to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities into the game of golf www.accessgolf.org

19. GAIN™ A National Model for Inclusion using Golf As the Social Agent Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks

20. GAIN VIDEO

21. ProjectGAIN Sites December, 2004 (March, 2005)

22. 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

23. The new GAIN™ • GAINPartners • Camp GAIN • GAIN Community

24. 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

25. 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

26. GAIN™ • Financial and Program Support • Training • Oversight and Technical Assistance The Alliance is available to provide:

27. Equipment available to make golf accessible to people with disabilities Practice Devices

28. Personal devices • Golf Clubs

29. Miscellaneous Single rider golf cars

30. ACCESSIBLE GOLF RESOURCES ON THE WEB The USGA Resource Centerfor Individuals with Disabilities The USGA Resource Centerfor Individuals with Disabilities http://www.resourcecenter.usga.org/ Phone: 719-471-4810

31. Resources National Center on Accessibility • (812) 856-4422 (voice) • (812) 856-4421 (tty) • www.ncaonline.org National Alliance for Accessible Golf www.accessgolf.org

32. Resources Disability and Business TechnicalAssistance Centers (DBTAC’s) • (800) 949-4232 (voice/tty) • www.adata.org