Move United, a community-based adaptive sports and recreation organization, hosted its annual Education Conference April 20-23 in Massachusetts in collaboration with Spaulding Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports Centers, a Move United member organization delivering adaptive sports and recreational programs in eastern Massachusetts.
Themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Community,” the conference united adaptive athletes, sport professionals, and providers for education, skill-building, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. More than 500 attendees were expected, representing Move United member organizations, parks and recreation departments, Paralympic national governing bodies, Veterans Affairs hospital staff, veterans, occupational and recreation therapists, academic professionals, and disability resource groups.
The conference featured over 90 educational sessions and workshops, an exhibitor hall, and trainings. Topics covered leadership and organizational excellence, coaching, recreation, rehabilitation and competition, education and community programming, technology and equipment, and the future of adaptive sports.
Keynote speakers were Paralympic medalists Amanda McGrory, Chris Young, and Anderson Wise, and retired Army Chief Warrant Office Rebecca Mann, who has bilateral lower-limb amputations from injuries sustained in Afghanistan.
Attendees were given the opportunity to volunteer at the Boston Marathon on April 20 through a partnership with the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), and Move United presented at the BAA’s Race Industry Program prior to the conference. Move United network member AdaptX hosted a local 5K as part of the conference’s social programming.
