Participant Description

To the best of the participants’ knowledge, they should be physically, mentally and emotionally fit to participate in the activity. It is, in part, the responsibility of the participants to determine beforehand the stresses to which they may be exposed during the activity. 

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Participants will be required to complete a registration form including medical information. The importance of disclosure and assurance of confidentiality will be explained to the participants. If potential physical or health concerns are identified potentially affecting the participant undertaking the activity, then a signature of the participant’s doctor may be sought.

Participants are required to sign a waiver stating that to the best of their knowledge they are fit to participate.

Participants’ applications will be accepted or rejected by the program manager (Cathy Webster). This will be based on the eligibility requirements.

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Any participants whose conduct, or skill level jeopardizes the safety of themselves and/or the group may be asked to withdraw from the program. The program manager will make this decision. Consideration will be made for nature of the disability, recognizing some may result in participants displaying ‘undesirable’ conduct. In such circumstances, involvement will be permitted unless safety is compromised and cannot be mitigated through other adaptation or accommodations. Other more suitable opportunities may be presented/offered. A record of this action will be made.

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Participants and caregivers will be made aware of the programs' specific safety procedures and agree to abide by them. These safety procedures will be outlined prior to the program. Participants will be given an opportunity for clarification of any procedures or rules they do not understand, or the program manager feels they do not understand. Participants must be made aware of the safety procedures and agree to abide by these.

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Adaptive kayaking is a recreational water sport which the staff and volunteers recognize may cause a participant stress or anxiety such that they may not wish to participate. No participant will ever be pressured to participate. All participants are required to wear safety equipment identified in “Equipment” section of this page (See Below). A paddler with a disability will always have a support paddler with him/her at all times when out on the water. Depending on the paddler’s disability, the ratio may be 2:1 (participants to volunteer).

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The NDAA makes every effort to protect the confidentiality and maintain the dignity of all participants. The volunteers working directly with a participant will be provided only relevant health information and details pertaining to the participants physical abilities which may impact their participation in the NDAA adaptive kayaking program.