As part of its mission to offer the benefits of rowing to the community, the Three Rivers Rowing Association has trained volunteers to teach the sport to people with physical disabilities, including those with visual limitations.

Initially, participants rowed on the lake at North Park in 1987. In 1989, when the Lambert Boathouse opened, the program moved to Washington's Landing, said Patti Michaud, a competitive rower who co-founded the adaptive rowing program for the disabled. Ms. Michaud, who lives in Greenfield, is a single amputee who has rowed since 1984.

Don Schock, who learned how to row from Ms. Michaud, said he co-founded the adaptive rowing program for the disabled because, "I just liked the idea of open access for everyone. The person who really taught me the basics of the rowing stroke was Patti Michaud."

For the past two decades, the rowing association has worked to expand its membership. "In essence, we've spent 20 years trying to change the traditional demographics of rowing," said Mr. Schock.

For information about this program, visit www.threeriversrowing.org or call 412-231-8772.