Guide Training

Whether it be a new PR, a marathon or a weekly one mile walk or roll in the park, Achilles relies on dedicated volunteers to ensure our athletes with disabilities feel supported and welcomed. Once you have completed the Rosterfy application here, please view the 11-minute video introductory course below before attending your first in-person local Achilles chapter workout.

*To view subtitles, click the CC closed captions icon near the bottom of the viewer. To view subtitles in another language, select the gear icon to the right of CC, select Subtitles/CC in the small pop-up window, click auto translate and then select your language.

What Achilles Volunteers Do

• Help adults and children with disabilities complete a run, walk or ride safely in a fun, supportive environment.

• Participate in weekly workouts.

• Provide motivation and guidance.

• Learn about adaptive equipment and assist with logistics.

Keys to Remember

• Safety first: Your athlete’s safety is the number one priority at all times.

• Your athlete’s disability is just one part of who they are.

• Treat everyone with kindness.

• You and your athlete are equal partners.

• The best way to learn about your athlete and their preferences is to ask questions.

• When in doubt, ask your Achilles chapter lead questions and for guidance.

Here at Achilles, we emphasize the importance of maintaining clear and respectful boundaries with all of our members to ensure a positive environment for everyone. A guide’s responsibility begins at the designated meeting spot and ends when the guide checks out after the workout. While we understand everyone is well-meaning, sometimes you may receive personal requests that go beyond the scope of an Achilles guide's responsibilities. These requests can include, and are not limited to, an athlete asking a guide to accompany them to the bathroom, bus or subway stops, stores, or requesting personal contact information.

In order to set comfortable boundaries, we want to remind everyone that you are under no obligation to share your contact information or engage in an activity outside of the Achilles workout. If your preferred method of communication is through your Achilles chapter leader or staff liaison, you can establish that early on. This approach ensures clear boundaries while fostering a respectful and collaborative environment.

This guidance is designed to support both athletes and volunteers, creating a space where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered to participate fully in our community.