Green Mountain Adaptive Sports is hosting an Adaptive Indoor Rock Climbing Workshop for coaches, therapists, educators and anyone interested in instructing, or volunteering with athletes with disabilities.

The workshop will be held at MetroRock in Essex Junction, Vermont on October 27 and 28, thanks to generous grants from The Vermont Community Grant and the Oakland Foundation. Space is limited to 20 participants and priority will be given to coaches from GMAS partners including Metro Rock, Elevate and Stowe Rocks coaches and instructors.

 

Workshop Goals

This engaging two day workshop will showcase active participation in a climbing adventure. Universal accessibility trainers from Experiential Systems, Inc, will provide instruction on how to create a program designed to include participants of all abilities. This workshop is designed to expose participants to a different way of thinking when it comes to inclusion and accessibility by utilizing the philosophical underpinnings of developing a Universal Mindset and welcoming environment through the concept of Invitational Education. The workshop will also include technical skills needed to work with people who may need additional equipment. Together we will dive deep into the accessibility world and come away with resources needed to assess your facility, course, and program in order to best provide Universal access for all climbers.

 

Workshop includes

    • An overview of the foundations of Universal Design and Invitational Education including experiential activities promoting critical assessment of beliefs and biases. 
    • Disability awareness and understanding of common terminology and tips for inclusion. 
    • How to assess the facility and program with an emphasis on universal design principles.
    • Specialized equipment overview including how to encourage participant choice in a least restrictive environment. 
    • Climbing wall access and rigging techniques. 
    • How to implement the learning and techniques in your own facility.
    • Lunch.

 

Event Details

Location: MetroRock, Essex Junction, VT
Dates: Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, 9am-5pm
Participants: 20 individuals. Priority will be given to coaches from GMAS partners including MetroRock, Elevate and Stowe Rocks coaches, and those who can attend both days.

 

Presenters from Experiential Systems, Inc.

 

Carla Hacker

Carla HackerCarla has been working to provide universally accessible programming in the field of experiential education for many years and in a variety of settings. For the last 6 years she has been a trainer for Experiential Systems, Inc. Along with her team, she is continuing to develop and implement training curriculum and equipment design for full inclusion on challenge courses and ziplines. Carla serves on the board of directors for the Association for Experiential Education, has hosted and presented at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally, and is an active member of AEE. She is also graduate faculty for the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse. 

 

Andrew Brash

Andrew BrashAndrew is the Training Director at Experiential Systems, Inc. He previously served as a manager and inspector/trainer for Inner Quest, Inc. and Vestals Gap Ventures in Purcellville, Virginia. Andrew has been working in the challenge course industry for over fifteen years prior to joining ESI. In his previous position, he performed inspections, trainings, and course maintenance. He also developed training curricula, operation manuals, and risk management procedures. As the Training Director, Andrew is responsible for overseeing a team of more than 20 trainers who do work in 42 states. ESI provides trainings for ropes courses, climbing walls, zip lines, and aerial adventure parks. Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Recreation Management from the University of Maryland and he is an active member of the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). He holds multiple credentials from ACCT including Qualified Operational Reviewer, certified Professional Inspector, and certified Course Manager. Andrew currently serves as the Chair of the ACCT Membership Work Group, and as the Vice Chair of the ACCT Operation Accreditation Panel.

 

Register today by applying on this form. Space is limited.