Help Those with Disabilities

Volunteer and Make a Difference!

As an Inclusive Paddling Volunteer, your main role is as a “paddle buddy,” providing support to participants on and off the water. This may include helping with boat set-up, entering/exiting the boat, providing encouragement, and being an extra set of eyes on the water for the lead coach. 

We encourage responsible, caring, and enthusiastic people for this role, and we promise a good time! Below is a brief outline of the two big programs where volunteers are most needed. We ask for a minimum commitment of 1 night per week.

  1. PaddleALL program - Paddling program for individuals with developmental disabilities and special needs. The rec program runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 PM in July and August. The competitive program runs M + W from 5:45 - 7:00 PM starting May 29th.
  2. Para Canoe Kayak program - Paddling program for individuals with physical disabilities. The program runs Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 PM in June, July, and August.

If you would like to volunteer with us this summer, please sign up on this page.If you are interested in volunteering with us outside of the two programs listed above, please select "other". 

It’s important that volunteers have confidence on the water, and we will follow up with additional training.

Ottawa River Canoe Club

Inclusive Paddling Volunteer

Inclusive Paddling Volunteer

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Please follow the recommended steps and training  - Standards set out by Canoe Kayak Canada & ORCC

*We recommend completing the following steps before the start of the program. These steps are outlined in the dropdown menu on this page. 

Questions? Please send us an email at info@orcc.ca

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Step 1: Background Check

An Enhanced Policy Information Check (E-PIC) (for those 18 and over)

If you already have one or one from another agency, such as the police VSC, you will need to scan it and send us a copy. For those under the age of 18, we ask for a character reference letter.

Step 2: Complete Coaching Association of Canada Safe Sport Training

Safe Sport Training

If you have already completed this step, we will need your NCCP #.

  • Go to www.coach.ca
  • In the upper right-hand corner, there is a red tab, The Locker.  Click it.
  • If you have an NCCP #, log in if you don’t follow the steps to create one.
  • Once you are logged in, at the top of the page, click on ELEARNING
  • On the left-hand side of the page, under Available, click on Safe Sport
  • Take the training; it will take you about 60-90 minutes.
  • For reimbursement from ORCC for the course, please submit receipt, and expense report form here: Expense Claim Form

Step 3: Register in RAMP

To register, please click on the link to take you to the ORCC portal of RAMP. https://www.rampregistrations.com/login?v3=c7c37c902a

Step 4: Educate yourself further

Additional Resources

Canoe Kayak Canada Code of Safety Sprint Racing Discipline – 2019

  • Section 3.2.3 Responsibilities of Officials and Volunteers 

Inclusion Module: Volunteering in Disability Sport - Overview

  • Developed to help volunteers effectively assist athletes, spectators, and/or coaches with diverse disabilities.  
  • Created by experts in the fields of disability, sport, and exercise, the module will cover the following key topics:
  • Defining and describing disability
  • Communicating respectfully and effectively with persons living with disabilities
  • Benefits of sport participation for persons with disabilities
  • How to facilitate positive, inclusive sports experiences for persons with a disability

https://paralympic.ca/paralympic-sports/para-canoe

Things to consider before starting work with athletes with a disability:

  • Learn disability etiquette 
  • Use accessible language
  • Be aware of the barriers to participation
  • Be inclusive 
  • Ask questions and engage directly with those with disabilities

Additional Trainings

Additional training will be communicated with volunteers when they become available:

  • Accessibility Training (learn how to use our adaptive equipment)
  • Boat and Safety Training at the club
  • Looking to upgrade your skills? Check out some courses by visiting www.coach.ca:
  1. NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport
  2. NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability
  3. NCCP Creating a Positive Sport Environment
  • Interested in coaching in the future? All coaches must take the CanoeKids Workshop, which can be found here: https://coach.ca/canoekids. Coaches must also have their Emergency First Aid Certificate

Accessibility Features

  • 4+ accessible parking spots
  • Ramps and Mobi mats providing a smooth and accessible path of travel
  • EZ docks: Dock addition that supports transfers in/out of boats
  • Rough terrain wheelchairs
  • Adaptive paddles
  • Adaptive seating and in-boat support systems
  • Floaties: Boat stabilizers