Many of our riders suffer from Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Down's Syndrome, and other muscular and neurological disorders. Special Equestrians, Inc. was created to offer therapeutic horseback riding to the physically, emotionally or mentally challenged. Open Waters is a program designed to expand the sport and industry of scuba diving to people with disabilities. The project provides information about scuba diving to people with disabilities, and assist certifying agencies, scuba instructors, equipment manufacturers, retailers, dive tour operators and others in the scuba industry to respond to the recreational goals of people with disabilities. The benefits of scuba diving for people with disabilities include developing recreational opportunities, improving physical fitness, expanding employment possibilities, and becoming aware of the importance of a healthy underwater environment.
Scuba diving is among the fastest growing recreational activities in the United States.
The certification card is essential to recreational and commercial scuba divers. The certification card verifies that the person has completed proper scuba training through a recognized certifying organization. Scuba certification is required to purchase compressed air, to rent scuba equipment and to participate in organized scuba dives. Though scuba diving is open to people of all ages who are healthy, physically fit and able to earn certification, many people with disabilities have not been able to participate in the sport because of certification standards, equipment issues and dive location accessibility. Though people with disabilities have been scuba diving for years, that information has been slow to reach the non-diving public and those within the scuba industry.