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Ensuring Community-based Competencies in Disability Sport Services
for Persons with Physical Disabilities

 

Disability Sport Certification Program

BlazeSports America is pleased to announce the development and implementation of a professional certification program designed to meet your needs.Although a variety of certification opportunities have been available in the past, none have focused specifically on the disability and Paralympic sport profession.

The BlazeSports Institute Certification evaluates the competencies, experience and training of professionals and para-professionals in the field of disability sport across the continuum from recreational participation to elite high performance sport.

BlazeSports America is now offering an independent review, evaluation, and credentialing of professionals and para-professionals in competitive disability sport and activity-based recreation programs for persons with physical disabilities. This new certification program will be administratively managed by the BlazeSports Institute of Applied Science and oversight will be provided by a panel of experts from related fields and disciplines, including therapeutic recreation, sports science, sports medicine, adapted physical education, rehabilitation medicine and Paralympic sport.

Certification Brochure

 

Certified Disability Sport Specialist (CDSS)


Professional Certification Category Minimal eligibility criteria for consideration:

Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation & Leisure Studies,
Adapted Physical Education, Sports Science, Physical Education, Sports Medicine, Sports
Management, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Special Education, or a relevant
field of study and:

1. Degree studies must be from an accredited university/college and comply with field related
degree requirements and also include the following:

a) 3 semester hours (5 quarter hours equivalency) in rehabilitation or etiology medical implications of physical disability;
b) 3 semester hours in psychology of adjustment, adjustment to disability or related course;
c) 3 semester hours in sports training or applied physiology;
d) 3 semester course in disability/Paralympic sport, equivalent course, or equivalent continuing education;
e) 3 semester hours or acceptable equivalent continuing education in (medical anthropology, applied multi-cultural competency or related training)


2. Requisite fieldwork, internship and/or direct experience - 400 verifiable hours in:

a) disability and/or Paralympic sport
b) therapeutic use of sport, physical activity or active recreation with persons with physical disability

3. Successfully meets minimum scores on written and oral examinations as appropriate; administered by BlazeSports America (waived during current grand fathering period);

4. Complies with re-certification application and continuing education requirements to maintain credential.


Certified Disability Sports Technician (CDST)


Para-professional Certification Category Minimal eligibility criteria for consideration:

Twelve (12) semester hours (3 courses) of post-secondary coursework or verifiable
continuing education training equivalency in Disability Sport Studies, Therapeutic
Recreation, Recreation & Leisure Studies, Adapted Physical Education, Sports Science,
Physical Education, Sports Medicine, Sports Management, Occupational Therapy,
Physical Therapy, Special Education, or a relevant field of study and:

1. Requisite fieldwork, internship and/or direct experience - 120 verifiable hours of direct service in:
a) disability and/or Paralympic sport
b) therapeutic use of sport, physical activity or active recreation with persons with physical disability

2. Successful completion of BlazeSports America introductory coursework in disability sport, therapeutic physical activity and recreation programming; (offered at BlazeSports Annual Conference)

3. Successfully meets minimum scores on written and oral examinations administered by BlazeSports America (waived during grandfather period);

4. Complies with re-certification application and continuing education requirements to maintain credential

     

Application Process:

 

Submit the completed application form to BlazeSports America, Inc. and the following:

 

  1. Current resume;
  2. Verification of degree and post-secondary coursework if relevant (transcript and copy of degree as appropriate with requirements of certification level);
  3. Verification of continuing education as relevant;
  6. For CDST, copy of BlazeSports documentation of successful completion of introductory curriculum in disability sport and therapeutic recreation physical activity programming (offered annually);
  7. Completed and signed verification form of field-based experience;
  8. Successfully passes the written and oral certification test (waived during grandfather period);
  9. Current BlazeSports America Membershipform.

 

Pay Fees:

Please select the type of Certitifcation:

 

 

For more information please contact Jeff Jones at 770.850.8199 | jjones@blazesports.org