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B.C. Blind Sports & Recreation Association
Location: Provincial - Multiple Locations
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Multiple Sports - Athletics (Track and Field), Curling, Dragon Boat, Goalball, Golf, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Lawn Bowls, Powerlifting, Showdown, Skiing, Swimming, Tandem Cycling, Triathlon, Wrestling

Click for more about the BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association

B.C. Blind Sports and Recreation Association

The British Columbia Blind Sports and Recreation Association, B.C.BSRA, was organized in October 1975 in order to send B.C. athletes to the 1976 National Championships and Selection Trials for the Olympics for the Physically Disabled (now called the Paralympics) in Toronto.

The B.C. Blind Sports and Recreation Association is a not for profit association of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, or are blind and have additional disabilities; and their families and other supporters. Our services are provided throughout the province of British Columbia and are available to individuals of all ages. We work closely with the CNIB, other organizations in the field of blindness, other vision professionals, and the generic physical activity system in order to improve access and opportunities for participation in physical activity.

MANDATE:
Facilitate participation in all aspects of physical activity for British Columbians who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, or who are blind/visually impaired and have additional disabilities. Physical education and physical activity resources available.

OUR MISSION:
British Columbians who are blind, visually impaired, deaf blind, or are blind/visually impaired and have additional disabilities will experience the enjoyment of achieving a healthy active lifestyle through participation in physical activity, physical education, recreation, outdoor pursuits, and sport at their chosen level.
Services:

• Activity introduction programs throughout B.C. for all age and skill levels
• Opportunities through physical activity to meet other children and youth who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, or are blind/visually impaired and have additional disabilities
• Equipment loan program
• Professional, individualized, physical activity and physical education consultations
• Train volunteers to act as sighted activity guides
• Provide athletes who are blind, visually impaired, deaf blind, or are blind/visually impaired and have additional disabilities as mentors for children
• Provide education and advocacy advice on the importance of physical activity in a healthy lifestyle
• Conduct, review, and respond to current research on participation in physical activity
• Seek program ideas and input from the individuals and their families who access our programs.

Sports:
In most events, athletes are classified according to the degree of vision they have.  This classification system (see below) helps makes the Games fair for athletes with different disabilities. Select a sport and learn the types of modifications that these sports use to allow a person with a visual impairment to participate, as well as to see results and athlete profiles for each sport.  BCBSRA members compete in the following sports at various levels, from the local club competition, to regional, Provincial Games, the National Championships, and international events and championships or the Paralympic Games:

Athletics (Track and Field)
Curling
Dragon Boat
Goalball
Golf
Hockey
Judo
Karate
Lawn Bowls
Powerlifting
Showdown
Skiing
Swimming
Tandem Cycling
Triathlon
Wrestling

Provincial Office Contact Information:
Website: www.bcblindsports.bc.ca
E-mail: info@B.C.blindsports.bc.ca
Telephone (604) 325.8638
Address: #330 - 5055 Joyce Street, Vancouver , B.C. V5R 6B2

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B.C. Mobility Opportunities Society
Location: Vancouver
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Hiking, Gliding

Click for more about the B.C. Mobility Opportunities Society

BCMOS is an independent non-profit society dedicated to enriching the lives of people with significant physical disabilities through wilderness recreation activities.

BCMOS was founded in 1985 to make it possible for people with physical disabilities to access B.C.'s great outdoors. Excursions range from day hikes to challenging treks.

Since 1995, the centerpiece of BCMOS's programs has been the TrailRider, a specially designed wilderness access vehicle. With one wheel, and "sherpas" back and front, the TrailRider can tackle any terrain. It has twice summited Kilimanjaro, but also allowed countless fishing trips, school outings and family afternoons outdoors.

BCMOS will run a variety of seasonal programs through summer 2009: hikes, which will include day excursions and theme hikes, a highly popular gliding program.

We also make TrailRiders available for rental ($10 per day), year round. For details, call (604) 688.6464 ext. 117.

Our focus this year will be on outreach, making people with disabilities aware of the TrailRider and how it helps create recreational opportunities for individuals and families. TrailRiders can be found in many communities across North America.

Website: www.disabilityfoundation.org/bcmos
Email: bcmos@disabilityfoundation.org
Phone: (604) 222.1312
Address: Suite 207 - 3077 Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C.,  V6H 3J9

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B.C. Wheelchair Basketball Society
Location: Provincial - Multiple Locations
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Basketball

Click for more about the B.C. Wheelchair Basketball Society

The B.C. Wheelchair Basketball Society (B.C.WBS) is a non-profit organization, formed in 1983 and registered with Revenue Canada as a charity since 1985. Since its inception, the society has been a catalyst in creating awareness about disability issues and has provided support to wheelchair basketball programs throughout British Columbia. Our programs are offered to people who have physical disabilities and people who do not, and to all age groups, from eight-year-olds to seniors. Wheelchair basketball is for anyone who wishes to participate.

B.C. Wheelchair Basketball Society provides support to wheelchair basketball programs throughout British Columbia.

Website: www.bcwbs.ca
Email: info@bcwbs.ca
Phone: (604) 333.3530
Fax: (604) 333.3450
Address: #210 3820 Cessna Drive, Richmond B.C. V7B 0A2

Okanagan and Greater Vancouver
Contact Person: Joe Higgins
Email: joe@bcwbs.ca

Northern B.C.
Contact Person: Pat Harris
Email: pat@bcwbs.ca

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B.C. Wheelchair Sport Association
Location: Provincial - Multiple Locations
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Multiple Sports - Athletics, Basketball, Curling, Floor Hockey, Rugby, Target Sports, Tennis

Click for more about the B.C. Wheelchair Sport Association

B.C. Wheelchair Sports is a not-for-profit organization devoted to providing opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities. Since being founded in 1971, we have worked to provide access to quality programs for athletes with disabilities. This has always been our focus and continues to be what drives us. In partnership with other Provincial Wheelchair Sports Societies across Canada, B.C.WSA is dedicated to promoting Wheelchair Sport and community awareness.

Should you have any questions about what you can do to help, please contact us.

Sports:

B.C. Wheelchair Sports supports the growth and development of four member and three associate member sports: Athletics, Basketball, Floor Hockey, Rugby, Target Sports, Tennis and Curling. Each of these is played by athletes from the casual beginner level all the way to the elite level. Whether weekend recreation or organised competitions are your interest, there are many opportunities for everyone to get involved.

Website: www.bcwheelchairsports.com
Email: info@bcwheelchairsports.com
Address: 210-3820 Cessna Drive, Richmond, B.C. V7B 0A2
Phone: (604) 333.3520
Fax: (604) 333.3450
Toll Free: 1.877.737.3090

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Blind Archery
Location: Abbotsford
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Archery

Click for more about the BC Archery Association and Blind Archery

MISSION STATEMENT: To promote and support the sport of Archery in British Columbia and Canada.

VISION STATEMENT: We are committed to maintaining and supporting a family orientated archery organization.  We strive to reach as large an archery population as possible in B.C. We are also committed to attaining the highest level in our involvement in multi-sport games.  Our mandate is to fulfil the policies and procedures as laid out in our Regulations Manual.

Contact Person: Susan Lemke
E-mail:  arclslem@axionet.com
Phone:   (604) 607.1116
Website: www.archeryassociation.bc.ca

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Curl BC
Location: Provincial - Multiple Locations
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Wheelchair Curling (also known as: Para Curling), Stick Curling, Deaf Curling, Blind or visually impaired curling, Curling for athletes with cognitive disabilities

Click for more about the Curl BC

Curl BC is a provincial sport organization that promotes and develops the sport of curling in BC. We provide the technical, marketing and other relevant assistance to member curling facilities (Curling Clubs) in order to promote the sport of curling. We also arrange and conduct provincial level playdowns and championships in all disciplines of the sport including wheelchair curling. We work with the disability specific sport organizations to support people with disabilities in their participation in this sport.

Contact Info
E-mail:  curling@curlbc.ca
Address: 293-3820 Cessna Drive, Richmond, B.C. V7B 0A2
Phone:  (604) 333.3616
Fax: (604) 333.3615
Toll Free: 1.800-667-CURL
Website: www.curlbc.ca

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Disabled Independent Gardeners Association
Location: Vancouver
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Gardening

Click for more about the Disabled Independent Gardeners Association

DIGA enables people with physical disabilities to enhance their quality of life through involvement in gardening.

DIGA offers gardening workshops and events specifically for persons with disabilities.

Website: www.disabilityfoundation.org/diga/
E-mail: diga@disabilityfoundation.org
Phone: (604) 688.6464
Address: Suite 207-3077 Granville Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3J9

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Disabled Sailing Association
Location: Provincial - Multiple Locations
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Sailing

Click for more about the Disabled Sailing Association

The Disabled Sailing Association

Sailing for people with significant physical disabilities got its start in Canada in 1989, when Sam Sullivan used a British-made Sunbird dinghy to launch the first few sails at the Jericho Sailing Centre on English Bay.

The original Sunbird had been presented to Rick Hansen by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during Expo '86 in Vancouver to mark the end of his ‘Man in Motion’ world tour.

During that first summer, sailors with quadriplegia, paraplegia and other significant physical disabilities logged a total of 22 sails. These were pioneers – for the first time these individuals were able to leave their wheelchairs behind and take up a sport independently.

No other activities offer this level of freedom. Disabled sailing caught on quickly.

Today, the Disabled Sailing Association of B.C. (DSA-B.C.) operates eight specially designed Martin 16 sailboats and hosts between 800 and 1,000 sailing experiences annually at Jericho and more from its affiliated branches in Victoria, Chemainus and Kelowna.

Inspired by DSA-B.C. and Sam Sullivan’s efforts to expose more and more people with very high levels of physical disabilities to the sport, adaptive sailing has now spread across Canada, throughout the US and around the world. Disabled sailing now plays a major role in the Summer Paralympics every four years.

Vancouver Location Contact Information:
Website: www.disabledsailingbc.org
Address: Jericho Sailing Centre, 1300 Discovery Street
Vancouver, B.C.  V6R 4L9
Phone: (604) 222.3003
Fax: (604) 222.3004

Ladysmith Contact Information:
Website: www.disabledsailingbc.org
Phone: (250) 246.9971
Address: Cowichan Valley Disabled Sailing Program, c/o Ladysmith Maritime Society,
Box 598, 132C Roberts Street
Ladysmith, B.C.  V9G 1A4

Victoria Contact Information:
Website: www.disabledsailingbc.org
Phone: (250) 477.6314
Address: c/o Recreation Integration Victoria, 4135 Lambrick Way
Victoria, B.C.  V8N 5R3

Kelowna Contact Information:
Website: www.disabledsailingbc.org
Phone: (250) 860.7990
Address: Central Okanagan Sailing Association, 4220 Hobson Road
Kelowna, B.C.  V1W 1Y3

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Errington Therapeutic Riding Association
Location: Parksville
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Equestrian

Click for more about the Errington Therapeutic Riding Association

ETRA History
Errington Therapeutic Riding Association initially began as a back yard pleasure riding session for three challenged high school students. In the years to follow a group of volunteers committed themselves to structure a program in therapeutic riding following the guidelines of the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association. E.T.R.A. became a registered Society in 1989. As a member of CanTRA and B.C. Therapeutic Riding Association we enjoy many benefits such as ongoing education, an insurance package and an Instructor certification program.

E.T.R.A.’s Instructors are fully certified by the Canadian Equestrian Federation and the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association and hold current First Aid Certificates.

Our volunteers are the backbone of the operation. Without them we would not be able to ride. All volunteers are given an in-depth training session before they begin. Safety is stressed as well as their needed commitment. To date, up to 40 clients enjoy each of the eight-week sessions assisted by 40 to 50 volunteers.

We hope, as a group of volunteers, that we all can help those with challenges and serve our community to the best of our ability.

Website: www.islandpages.com/etra/
Location:1515 Island Highway East in Nanoose Bay
Mailing Address: Box 462 Parksville B.C., V9P 2G6
Email: etrainfo@shaw.ca

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InterFit - The Integrated Fitness Society
Location: North Vancouver
Type of Sport(s) and/or Recreation: Hiking

Click for more about InterFit - The Integrated Fitness Society

InterFit Mission
Work to provide people living with disabilities, full access to indoor and outdoor fitness and recreation opportunities, promote mental and physical wellness, reduce isolation and promote integration with the intent of creating the most inclusive community in Canada.

History
After working with the William Griffin ReCentre for five years and raising over funds to created safe dignified access to the pool, purchase adapted weight training equipment and renovated the facility. In December 2005 we turned our focus to outdoor activities and we began putting together a strategic outdoor recreation plan.

North Shore Adapted Hiking (NSAH)
This initiative is a one of a kind on the North Shore Our hiking program relies heavily on volunteers, a volunteer coordinator and summer students. Hikes are scheduled twice a week generally Fridays and Saturdays around noon lasting 1 to 3 hours but with planning and volunteer availability other days and times can be made available.

Cost 
The riders pay a seasonal $15 hiking fee and get their first hike free and pay $5 per hike by donation thereafter. If individuals require physical or financial assistance Contact brian@interfit.ca Coming soon a bursary application will be made available on line at www.interfit.ca (approval can take up to two weeks)

Desirable Trails
Lynn headwaters Park and the Seymour Demonstration Forest (SDF) in North Vancouver offer ideal terrain for our adapted wheelchairs, with varying degrees of ease or difficulty for both the rider and their helpers (Sherpa’s). This gives riders and Sherpa’s a chance to work up to more challenging trails and adventures. Interfit uses the offroadchair - ORC a two wheeled mountain bike chair that requires one to two Sherpa’s depending on the terrain, and the Trailrider that requires two Sherpa’s at all times regardless of the terrain. Easy access to parking, wide trails and the wilderness experience offer local residents and visitors easy affordable access to the outdoors of the North Shore.

User groups
People living with disabilities and the many group homes on the north shore and there families were the initial focus but with each year as more people become aware of what we have to offer the number of visitors/riders increases. Seniors also need opportunities to be outdoors but can’t always manage the hike; this demographic is rapidly growing creating more users, along with a growing number of disabled travelers. We see the North Shore as premier cultural and recreational destination, promoting equality and inclusion for people living with disabilities. With easy access to indoor and outdoor fitness and recreation opportunities we can attract disabled visitors to our community and create commerce by doing so. Our timing couldn’t be any better with the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics rapidly approaching. We, have a chance to showcase our inclusive community to the rest of the world while providing exceptional opportunities to explore and discover what the North Shore has to offer.

Volunteer Opportunities
North Shore Adapted Hiking offers volunteers the opportunity to help those that need an extra hand and the chance to get involved and give back to the community without opening their wallets. Networks and friendships are often built through these types of team experiences. info@interfit.ca

The Future
As we build our user and volunteer base and sustainability for NSAH InterFit plans to expand and create accessible adventures such as camping and kayaking trips that are suitable for all individuals regardless of their abilities.

Website: www.interfit.ca
Email: info@interfit.ca

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