Volunteer Development Experience

Take your current volunteer placement and level up with the TSC Volunteer Development Experience!  This program is designed for volunteers who want something above and beyond the current volunteer experience at the centre.  Here is what is included in the experience:

  • A minimum threshold of volunteering hours (25 hours over 2 terms, in 2 or more different programs)
  • A gold-standard training certification for the adapted physical activity industry (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention)
  • Additional skills training relevant to adapted physical activity
  • A capstone project determined from a list of pre-determined topics

For further information on this program, please reach out to Scott Forrester at tscmanager@ualberta.ca.

 

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Training

Note: NVCI training is only available to volunteers who have applied and been accepted into the Volunteer Development Experience.

Part of your Volunteer Development Experience is taking an NVCI training course (physical, no holds).  This gold standard industry training will equip you with better communication skills and enable you with the skillset to de-escalate tense situations should they arise.

Please note the following for upcoming NVCI training dates:

December 9, 2025 - 8 AM-4 PM

January 2, 2026 - 8 AM-4 PM

A gentle reminder that these sessions are in-person.  We recommend booking into the earliest one that works for you and your schedule, as they are only offered 6 times/year.  The course materials cost the centre $60/person.  The Steadward Centre covers half of this cost.  The volunteer (you) is required to pay $30 to attend the course.  Once you have received confirmation of registration from myself, payment can be done in-person (1-241 VVC), over the phone (780-492-9236) or online using your account ().

If you see a course here that works for you and would like to register, please email Scott Forrester at tscmgr@uaberta.ca.

Module List for Additional Skills Training

Volunteer Development Experience participants will be required to work through 3 e-learning modules. One module is tentatively set to be made available in the Fall 2025 Term, two more modules will tentatively be made available in the Winter 2026 Term, and a final module option is tentatively set to release in Spring 2026. The modules are:

Module 1(required): Communications in Adapted Physical Activity

Module 2 (required): Working in a Disability Setting

Module 3A (optional): TBD

Module 3B (optional): TBD

Capstone Project  - Information & Project Options

What is the capstone project?

The capstone project will entail making a 10 minute long video or audio recording explaining your response to a case study that uses an existing TSC resource. Working through the case study of your choice will allow you to focus on an area of interest you have at TSC (kids, adults, or athletes) and will help you make connections between resources that advocate for accessibility and the real world.  

How long will the capstone project take to complete?

It is designed to take approximately 3 hours of work for preparation and creation of this video/audio.

What options are available?

Please reference below to see what options are available to you:

Case Study #1

Resource Case Study Sub-Population
Becoming Para Ready (BPR) You are a coach with a local cross country skiing club in Edmonton. In your one year coaching with the club, you haven't heard about or seen any athletes with disabilities within the programs.

Choose 3 of the following P's of Becoming Para Ready to discuss some steps that can be taken within the club to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities:

- People       - Policy              - Promotion
- Price         - Partnerships     - Preference		 Athletes

Case Study #2

Resource Case Study Sub-Population
Becoming Para Ready (BPR)

You are a club administrator with a rowing club that has a few para athletes. In your 2 years working with the club, you haven't seen any growth in the number of para athletes (it has been the same para athletes since you started). 


Choose 3 of the following P's of Becoming Para Ready to discuss some approaches that can be taken within the club to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities:


- Philosophy       - Place              - Promotion
- Pathways         - Practice          - Participation

 Athletes

Case Study #3

Resource Case Study Sub-Population
Building Blocks of Quality Participation

How could we use the 6 building blocks to improve the experience for our adult participants at the centre?

 Adults

Case Study #4

Resource Case Study Sub-Population
Getting Active Together (GAT)

2-Part Question:

  1. If a teacher was looking for 3 main strategies or ‘big picture ideas’ from this resource, what would you suggest?
  2. Choose (2) games and activities- identify the inclusive strategies and possible adaptations at work in each.
 Free2BMe (kids)

Case Study #5

Resource Case Study Sub-Population
Inclusive Playgrounds Playbook

Chapter 3 “How do we start? Community Engagement”

This project focuses on playgrounds. How could the process and strategies in this chapter be applied to another accessibility or inclusivity advocacy project?

 Free2BMe (kids)

Case Study #6

Resource Case Study Sub-Population
Inclusive Playgrounds Playbook

2-Part Question:

  1. What were your key takeaways about inclusive playgrounds from this chapter? 
  2. What in this chapter challenged you to think more creatively/imaginatively about play at playgrounds?
 Free2BMe (kids)

Case Study #7

Resource Case Study Sub-Population
Move & Play the Inclusive Way

What are the overarching themes from this resource?

 Free2B

Case Study #8

Resource Case Study Sub-Population
Move & Play the Inclusive Way

How could you adapt this resource’s strategies to be appropriate for adults?

 Adults