CARSS Level I
Introduction to
Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist
www.blazesports.org
By the end of this section, the learner will be able to:
• State the mission and credentials of BlazeSports
America.
Objectives
• Describe the overall goals of the BlazeSports Institute
for Adaptive Sports and Recreation and CARSS.
• List the sections of the CARSS certification.
• Describe how to navigate the online curriculum and
next steps after completing the curriculum.
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Reserved
Mission
The mission of BlazeSports America is to change
the lives of individuals with physical disabilities
through adaptive sports and recreation.
• BlazeSports is the legacy of the 1996 Atlanta
Paralympic Games.
• BlazeSports achieves it’s mission through a
multi-pronged approach:
• Direct service through adaptive sports and
recreation for youth and Veterans in
Georgia
• National training and education through
the BlazeSports Institute
• International Sport for Development
initiatives
• BlazeSports equipment loan program
• Strategic Partnerships
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BlazeSports
America’s
Credentials
include:
• Member of the United States
Olympic Committee Multi-Sport
Organizational Council (MSOC)
• USA representative for the Cerebral
Palsy International Sport and
Recreation Association (CPISRA)
• Two-time “Rings of Gold” Award
Recipient from the United States
Olympic Committee - 2016 (youth
programs) and 2017 (veteran
programs)
• Move United USA Chapter
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BlazeSports Institute for
Adaptive Sports and Recreation
BlazeSports views training as an important strategy that builds
capacity, supports continuous improvement and fills a gap in
the field of adaptive sport, physical activity and recreation.
• BlazeSports has been a national leader in adaptive sports
training and education since 2003:
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•
Hosted a National Disability Sport Conference (20032013, 2019)
•
Served as the training arm of the US Paralympics
(2007-2012)
•
Was 1 of 10 national technical assistance
organizations to the US Department of Health and
Human Services on physical activity and disability
(2010-2012)
•
Launched the only certification of its kind in 2009, the
Certified Disability Sport Specialist Credential (CDSS),
now CARSS
BlazeSports Institute for
Adaptive Sports and Recreation
The BlazeSports Institute serves as the umbrella for
all of BlazeSports’ training and education products
and services:
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•
Certified Adaptive Sports and Recreation
Specialist (CARSS) I and II
•
Webinars and Podcasts
•
National Conference (next in 2021)
•
Quarterly E-newsletter
•
Team of regional CARSS trainers
Certified
Adaptive
Recreation
and Sports
TM
Specialist
(CARSS)
•
Formerly named the Certified Disability Sports Specialist
(CDSS).
•
Curriculum updated in 2017.
•
The curriculum is not sport-specific, but is universal to all
adaptive sports and physical activity programming in the
community setting.
•
Compliments sports certifications, existing credentials (CTRS,
PT, OT) and degrees in adaptive sports and sports
management among others.
•
Target audience: sport and physical activity practitioners
new to the field and seasoned professionals;
university/college students.
•
There are two levels of CARSS certification (Level I and II)
with different eligibility criteria.
You do not need Level I certification to obtain Level II
certification if all eligibility criteria are met.
•
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Reserved
• Purpose: The CARSS credential shows that an
individual possesses the knowledge to design and
implement adaptive sports programming safely and
effectively for youth, adults, and Veterans with
physical disabilities.
• Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years of age.
CARSS Level I
• Cost: $75 includes access to the online curriculum for
one-year, additional readings and the certification
exam.
• Renewal: Certification is valid for two years and can
be renewed for a cost of $35, and by obtaining 4.0
CEUs by the end of the two-year certification period.
• Continuing Education Units: CARSS Level I holders
must obtain 4.0 CEUs throughout the two-year
period. See BlazeSports CARSS CEU Guide on the
BlazeSports website.
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CARSS Level II
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• Eligibility: Must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in physical
activity or 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.
OR
1000 hours of direct and verifiable adaptive sports experience
(paid or voluntary) with individuals with physical disabilities.
• Active CPR Certificate
• Cost: $100 includes access to the online curriculum for one year,
additional readings and study material and the certification
exam.
• Renewal: Certification is valid for two years and can be renewed
for a cost of $35, and by obtaining 8.0 CEUs by the end of the
two-year certification period.
• Continuing Education Units: CARSS Level II holders must obtain
8.0 CEUs throughout the two-year period. See BlazeSports CARSS
CEU Guide on the BlazeSports website.
CARSS covers 9 knowledge areas in varying
depth appropriate for Level I and Level II.
1
History of
Adaptive
Sports and
Related
Laws/
2
Understanding
Disabilities
and Disability
Awareness
3
Adaptive
Physical
Activity and
Recreation
4
5
Program
Planning,
Implementati
on and
Evaluation
Marketing
and
Communicati
ons
6
Partnership
Building
7
Risk
Management
and Injury
Prevention
8
Accessible
Facilities
9
Adaptive
Equipment
Regulations
Each section was reviewed and updated, and four new sections were added in 2017 (program planning,
implementation and evaluation; marketing and communications; partnership building and risk management.)
Navigating the Online Curriculum
The CARSS Courses are housed at www.blazesportsinstitute.org
•Each section in the CARSS curriculum has a PowerPoint as
well as additional supporting documents.
•For ease of access, available references will be hyperlinked
in the PowerPoints, and a reference section is included.
Please read through all of the PowerPoint slides in the section
before moving onto the next section.
Upon completing the last section, you will be directed to the
exam.
Online Exam
• The exam is composed of 90 questions.
• You will have 2.0 hours to complete the exam.
• You must score an 80% or higher on the exam
to receive your certification.
• If you score, under 80% you will have the
opportunity to re-take the exam again within
15 business days. A new link will be sent to you
via email.
• Once you have successfully passed the CARSS
Level I Exam, you will receive an e-mail
notification, e-certificate, and information on
how to maintain and renew your credential in
10-15 business days.
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• Writers:
Acknowledgements
• Anjali Forbers-Pratt,
Vanderbilt
• Leslie White, Croydon
Consulting, LLC
• Ellie Kirkland,
UAB/Lakeshore
• Ashley Fallaize,
BlazeSports America
• Karalyn Stott, Move
United
• Reviewers:
• Dr. Robert Arnhold,
Slippery Rock University
• Dr. Michelle Ferrer,
Eastern Connecticut
State University
• Wendy Fagan, Slippery
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rock University
Ann Cody, U.S.
Department of State
Bill Botten, U.S. Access
Board
Dr. Deborah Shapiro,
Georgia State University
Cheryl Collins, Move
United
Mara Galic, BlazeSports
America
Cynthia Frisina,
BlazeSports America
Julia Ray, Move United
Julianne Mills, Move
United
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Questions
Contact Ashley Fallaize,
Manager of Training and
Education at 404-270-2029 or
afallaize@blazesports.org
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