The British Canoe Union supports the promotion of canoeing for disabled people and encourages them to take British Canoe Union personal performance awards, leadership and coaching qualifications.
Tests and Personal Performance Awards for disabled paddlers
The British Canoe Union’s policy is to encourage inclusion and therefore avoid a separate system. Where a specific disability prevents a candidate from completing a particular part of a test, the ASSESSOR may still give the certificate, so long as she/he believes that the candidate has received appropriate coaching and is, therefore, performing to the best of their ability. In addition, the candidate should show that even though they cannot perform the skill, they understand the technique and its purpose and can demonstrate their understanding, possibly by talking another individual through that skill. Approached this way, awards help disabled paddlers gain confidence and improve self esteem, and of most importance, credit for what they have achieved.
Paddlers who consider they may need reasonable adjustments to an Award they wish to undertake should contact the course provider well in advance of the course date to ensure that any additional requirements are provided.
Tests and Awards for Canoeists with Special Needs policy document
Reasonable Adjustments for Leadership Awards, Coaching Awards and Training Courses
The British Canoe Union Awarding Body is fully committed to unimpeded access to, and equal opportunities in, assessment and to considering the needs of all potential candidates, including those with a range of impairments which would not prevent them from discharging their coaching duties competently on qualifying. This is why the British Canoe Union Awarding Body has made its UK Coaching Certificate qualifications and associated assessment tasks accessible to all those candidates who are capable of demonstrating their coaching competence, thereby also minimising any later need to make reasonable adjustments for them.
Candidates who consider they may need reasonable adjustments to an Award they wish to undertake should contact the course provider well in advance of the course date to ensure that any additional requirements are provided.
Reasonable Adjustments Policy and Procedures.
Statements of Physical Competence and Medical Declaration Forms
All coaches completing the Coaching Qualifications Registration Form (CR Form) should ensure that they have read and understood the Statement of Physical Competence on page 3 of the CR form. If a candidate feels unable to sign this form they should complete and return a Medical Declaration Form and submit it together with their CR Form. Coaches should notify the BCU should their condition change and should submit an updated Medical Declaration Form every three years.