In support of their mission to make the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all, PADI® has launched the inaugural PADI Adaptive Diving Week, taking place from 1-7 December 2024. The week-long event will be an annual one that celebrates the stories of divers who have overcome challenges to explore the ocean and the dedicated PADI Members who have made those experiences possible.
“PADI has long been committed to creating opportunities for people of all abilities to explore and protect the ocean,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide. “We were founded on the belief that the oceans should be accessible to all, with PADI Adaptive Diving Week being an opportunity for us all to reflect on the impact the sport has on the global community.”
Globally, one in six people – around 1.3 billion individuals – experience some form of disability. For many, physical or psychological barriers have limited access to activities that others may take for granted, such as scuba and freediving. Yet, these activities have proven to be powerful tools for healing, empowerment, and personal growth.
While PADI’s system of education has embraced varying abilities since its origins in 1966, the world’s largest scuba diving organization continues to build on its legacy of inclusivity by:
- introducing the Adaptive Techniques Specialty course in 2017, which helps dive professionals adapt their training techniques, whether working with a diver facing mobility challenges or someone overcoming cognitive or psychological barriers;
- launching the Adaptive Support Diver course in 2017, designed for divers who want to assist buddies with physical or mental disabilities;
- and establishing the PADI Adaptive Service Facility accreditation, which is a prestigious designation awarded to select PADI Dive Centers and Resorts that demonstrate excellence in providing adaptive services and infrastructure for divers with physical, psychological, or mental challenges.
Now, the latest milestone in this initiative is PADI Adaptive Diving Week, a key initiative that falls under PADI’s People & Humanity Pillar of Change and is designed to raise awareness about the healing benefits of diving and the ever-expanding access to dive training, experiences, and facilities.
Throughout the week, PADI Adaptive Services Facilities across the globe are showcasing the profound impact diving can have for divers with disabilities. This includes:
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Kids Scuba is hosting an adaptive diving workshop and community experience.
- Florida, USA: Nova Southeastern University is holding events with the university’s disability services team to raise awareness of adaptive diving.
- Diani, Kenya: Ocean Tribe is running a series of adaptive diving programs, including Discover Scuba Diving experiences, a PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty Instructor Training Course, and PADI Adaptive Diver Specialty courses. Ocean Tribe is also hosting a series of online sessions geared towards dive professionals on how to train and support disabled divers.
“PADI Members are at the forefront of creating positive ocean change,” furthers Valette Wirth. “As PADI Adaptive Diving Week continues, we encourage members to explore how they can contribute to making the ocean a place where everyone, regardless of abilities, can dive in, explore, and protect for future generations.”
To learn more about PADI’s Adaptive Diving program, get in touch with your PADI Regional Team.
