Since 2003, BlazeSports America has been one of the top training and education leaders in the field of adaptive sports and recreation. The BlazeSports America Institute for Adaptive Sports and Recreation™ – offers certification opportunities, online tools and resources to build the core competencies of adaptive sports practitioners working with Youth, Adults and Veterans with a physical disability.

The BlazeSports Institute offers a wide array of relevant and practical adaptive sports and recreation resources and tools for developing and implementing successful adaptive sports and recreation programs.

Components of the BlazeSports Institute

  • Industry-recognized certification program- Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist™ (CARSS), Certified Adaptive Sport Coach (CASC) and Certified Adaptive Swim Instructor (CASI)
  • Continuing education opportunities through webinars, technical assistance and an annual conference approved by NCTRC (National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Certification)
  • Quarterly e-newsletter featuring updates on the latest research, trends & best practices
  • In-person and virtual training workshops
CARSS 1

The goal of the CARSS certification program is to better prepare those new to adaptive sports and recreation while increasing the knowledge and core competencies of adaptive sports professionals currently working in the field. CARSS highlights the most relevant, practical information for developing and implementing successful and safe adaptive sports and recreation programs for people with physical disabilities. 

CARSS 2

An advanced and deeper exploration for the experienced adaptive sport and recreation practitioner providing more advanced information in all core content areas especially program planning, implementation & evaluation.

Certified Adaptive Sports Coach

The Certified Adaptive Sports Coach certification helps coaches bridge the gap to successfully work with athletes with disabilities. A survey conducted in 2021 established 7 key competency areas that coaches working with adaptive athletes should have knowledge in to provide the highest quality programming and coaching.  

Adaptive Swim Certification

The Adaptive Swim Certification combines a therapeutic approach to teaching swim independence for children, youth, and adults with disabilities. This course combines both lecture-based learning and hands-on teaching to ensure participants are fully confident in handling a variety of demographics and abilities in the water. 

Featured Certifications

CARSS 2

CARSS 2 is for experienced adaptive sport professionals seeking a national credential to excel them in their career. In this course, we will cover the following sections: 1. Sport Theories 2. Program Development 3. Trends in Adaptive Sports 4. Outreach and Funding 5. Partnership Building 6. Compliance & Risk Management

Karolyne Bell

Karolyne Bell

$175

CARSS 1

The Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist (CARSS) credential was developed by BlazeSports America with the expertise and input of a wide range of professionals in the adaptive sports field. The goal of the CARSS certification program is to better prepare those new to adaptive sports and recreation while increasing the knowledge and core competencies of adaptive sports professionals currently working in the field. CARSS highlights the most relevant, practical information for developing and implementing successful and safe adaptive sports and recreation programs for people with physical disabilities.

Karolyne Bell

Karolyne Bell

$150

CASC (Certified Adaptive Sport Coach)

The Adaptive Sport Coaching Certification prepares coaches how to properly train and coach athletes with a variety of disabilities in various sports. This certification will provide you with coaching principles, better understanding of disability, injury prevention for wheelchair athletes, basics of adaptive equipment, abuse prevention for athletes, and much more.

Karolyne Bell

Karolyne Bell

$175

Renewal

BlazeSports certification holders will need to renew their certification through the following process: • Annual 75.00 fee • Proof of Continuing Education- Once per year, certification holders will be selected at random to complete an audit. If you are selected, you will need to email proof of your continuing education to Karolyne Bell at [email protected] within 4 weeks of being notified to keep your certification active. o CARSS 1 and 2: 8 hours of related continuing education in physical activity, inclusion, sport or other closely related field. o CASC: 8 hours of related continuing education in coaching, physical activity, inclusion, or adaptive sport development. 40 hours of direct adaptive sport coaching will also be accepted. o CASI- 8 hours of related continuing education in aquatics or 40 hour of direct adaptive swim instruction.

Karolyne Bell

Karolyne Bell

$75

About BlazeSports America

BlazeSports America, located in Atlanta, GA, is the non-profit legacy organization of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. Our mission is to transform the lives of those with physical disabilities through adaptive sports and recreation. Central to our mission is enhancing the skills of practitioners in adaptive sports, recreation, and physical activity. This is strategically prioritized through the BlazeSports Institute for Adaptive Sports and Recreation. Among its offerings is the Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist™  the sole certification of its kind provided by the BlazeSports Institute.