In a matter of weeks, TeachStreet will launch with thousands of Seattle area classes across hundreds of different subjects ranging from basketball to harmonica. A percentage of the 10’s of 1,000’s of classes on TeachStreet will involve outdoor activities, 20 or so of which will be offered by a same non-profit organization: Outdoors for All.
Outdoors for All was started as a way to give kids with disabilities the opportunity to ski at Snoqualmie Pass. During their first year, back in 1978, they had 15 participants. This last year they had over 600 volunteers and 2,000 participants. And as the size of the organization has expanded, so too has the number of classes they offer. Initially they just offered skiing, but now they offer numerous sports: cycling, hiking, in-line skating, river rafting, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, and rock-climbing, just to name a few.
In addition to classes, they also have a number of other ways to get involved, ranging from their big annual golf tournament to small, Friday night pizza and beer gatherings.
In addition to volunteers and participants, the list of Outdoors for All list supporters includes filmmaker Warren Miller, Olympian and FHM cover girl Gretchen Bleiler, and K2 CEO Richard Heckmann. But despite growth and support organizations like Outdoors for All can always use more support, as it costs a lot of money to provide activities for people with disabilities.
So for this reason, we at TeachStreet are excited about providing a platform for non-profit organizations to expand their online presence and hopefully get more participants to take classes, as well as more volunteers involved in teaching classes.
If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved with an organization that offers sports to people with disabilities, I’d encourage you to check out the below organizations. And depending on what sports you’re interested in, with a little searching, you’ll likely be able to find a sport specific organization with programs in your area.
International Orgs
Special Olympics: Well known international organization offering over 30 olympic-type summer and winter sports.
International Paralympic Committee: Very similar to Special Olympics. They too provide international competition for people with disailities.
National Orgs
Disaboom: Social networking site with resources and communities for millions touched by disabilities.
Wounded Warrior: Organization for injured war veterans.
Local Orgs
Footloose: Sailing on Lake Washington. Magnuson Park in North Seattle.
Little Bit Riding Center: Horseback riding in Woodinville, WA.
Miss Wheel Chair Washington: Beauty pageant for women in wheel chairs.
