Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist (CARSS)™
Earn the Only Certification of its Kind!
The BlazeSports America Certified Disability Sport Specialist certification has been updated and replaced with a new certification, Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist (CARSS)™. Developed with the expertise and input of a variety of professionals in the adaptive sports and recreation field, CARSS reflects more accurately where the field of adaptive sports and recreation has evolved. Core content areas of the CARSS certification include: history of adaptive sports & related laws; understanding disabilities & disability awareness; program planning, implementation & evaluation; risk management & injury prevention; partnership building; recruitment & promotion; adaptive equipment and facilities. The curriculum addresses the needs of children/youth, adults and veterans with various physical disabilities.
CARSS is offered as an online course with two certification levels. CARSS is not sport-specific and enhances existing certifications in sport, physical activity and therapeutic recreation such as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists and Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer. Through completion of our CARSS program, volunteers, coaches and other professionals can demonstrate to employers and organizations alike that they are leaders in adaptive sports and recreation program development.
The Challenge and the Need
- There are more than 1.1 billion people worldwide with a disability, including more than 56 million Americans.
- Physical inactivity is a major public health issue and priority for many organizations, at the national, state and local levels.
- Individuals with physical disabilities are less physically active than their peers due to lack of access to opportunities and lack of trained professionals, among other factors.
CARSS Certification Core Areas
- History of Adaptive Sports & Related Laws
- Disabilities & Disability Awareness
- Adaptive Physical Activity & Recreation
- Program Planning, Implementation & Evaluation
- Marketing & Communication
- Partnership Building
- Risk Management & Injury Prevention
- Accessible Facilities
- Adaptive Equipment
CARSS Program Goals
- Prepare those new to adaptive sports and recreation to create and manage adaptive sport programs
- Increase the knowledge and core competencies of professionals currently working in the field
- Participants who complete the CARSS certification demonstrate to employers and organizations their commitment to serving as leaders in adaptive sports and recreation field and will enhance any existing credentials such as CTRS, CRRP, CAPE, PT, OT and others.
CARSS I
Level I Certification Fee: $150
For students and practitioners new to the field of adaptive sport, providing a basic level of content in each of the core areas.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be at least 18 years old
CARSS II
Level II Certification Fee: $175
For the experienced adaptive sport and recreation practitioner providing more advanced information in all core content areas especially program planning, implementation & evaluation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a physical activity-related field from an accredited college or university and 100 hours of direct and verifiable adaptive sports experience (paid or voluntary) with individuals with physical disabilities.
Register for CARSS I & II
CARSS Renewal
Certification is valid for 2 years from award date. In order to renew the certification, the CARSS holder must pay a $75 re-certification fee and obtain the required number of Continuing Education Units (CEU) (4.0 for Level I/8.0 for Level II) at the end of each two-year certification period. See Renewal and CEU Guide for more information on how to renew your credential.