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

Why We Are Here

Prevalence of Disability 50+ million people with disabilities in 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. Census Source: 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, years old Currently 12.5% +65 years old; % 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

Generation Next 1 in 12 children ages 5 to 20 has a physical or mental disability 5.2 million, years old Source: 2000 U.S. Census

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

Continuum of programs Inclusion based golf programs Inclusion based golf programs Awareness Programs Awareness Programs One Day Tournaments One Day Tournaments One Day Awareness Clinics One Day Awareness 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 Programs Specialized Programs Inclusion Centered Inclusion Centered Community Based Golf Community Based Golf Specialized & Segregated programs Specialized & Segregated programs Par 3 & Executive courses Par 3 & Executive courses 9 & 18 hole golf facilities 9 & 18 hole golf facilities

Braemar Golf Club/Sister Kinney Institute Edina, Minnesota Sister Kenny Institute Golf Program for Golfers with Physical Disabilities Weekly golf program, each summer since 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 Institute Edina, 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 Buddies City of Overland Park, Kansas

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.

Fore Hope Ohio 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 Hope Ohio 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 Program Texas 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 Strokes American Heart Association Fore Golf Sacramento Disabled Sports USA Swing for the Blind The First Tee of Greater Sacramento California Eagles “Special Olympics” Program The First Tee of Greater Sacramento The City of Sacramento Haggin Oaks Golf Course

A national organization established to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities into the game of golf 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

Key Concept of GAIN: INCLUSION Everyone plays same course Everyone can play at anytime Everyone can play every hole Everyone plays same rules

(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 ™ Program Model Structures GAIN ™ Community- a comprehensive program that is integrated into the year round agency(s) program structure GAIN ™ Partner- an existing community agency implements the GAIN™ model into its program Camp GAIN ™ - an agency implements the model as a seasonal or intermittent program

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

MiscellaneousSingle rider golf cars

The USGA Resource Center for Individuals with Disabilities ACCESSIBLE GOLF RESOURCES ON THE WEB Phone:

Resources National Center on Accessibility (812) (voice) (812) (tty) National Alliance for Accessible Golf

Resources Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC’s) (800) (voice/tty)