IAHD

What IAHD does

IAHD (International Association for Handicapped Divers) is a Netherlands-headquartered nonprofit founded in 1993 that delivers scuba diving education, certification, and adaptive diving experiences for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as instructor training for specialists who teach them. It operates an integrated digital platform stack comprising D-Learning (a self-paced web-based theory and assessment system), D-Member (digital membership management), and D-Purchase (an online store for course materials), complemented by QR-coded digital certifications that eliminate plastic cards. Course delivery and consumer experiences flow through a global channel network of certified instructors, approved dive centers, and tiered accessible accommodations (Bronze/Silver/Gold) across at least 13 countries spanning Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia.

The organization is co-owned and led by Managing Director Gerard Oijnhausen and Training Director Fred Siebers, who acquired IAHD in 2010, and operates from Sappemeer in the Netherlands. IAHD claims a unique regulatory position as the only diving organization in the world for people with disabilities that holds ISO certification for both entry-level and instructor training programs, anchoring its curriculum and the proprietary 'IAHD Wheel' methodology that frames its inclusive approach to adaptive diving.

The business model combines one-time course fees (priced above standard diving courses to reflect specialized equipment and longer training time), recurring membership revenue through D-Member, and transactional revenue from course materials via D-Purchase. Pricing is individually set per course, public price disclosure is absent, and many countries subsidize sports activities for people with disabilities, which materially shapes end-customer economics. The GTM motion combines direct-to-consumer acquisition through a six-language website and YouTube channel with a partner-led channel network of certified dive centers and instructors who refer and onboard students locally.

Name

IAHD

Legal name

International Association for Handicapped Divers (IAHD)

Website

https://iahd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IAHD is a Netherlands-based nonprofit, founded in 1993, that provides ISO-certified scuba diving education, certification, and adaptive dive experiences for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities through a global network of certified instructors, dive centers, and digital learning platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Scuba Diving Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD)

Keywords

• Adaptive scuba diving
• Disability diving certification
• Diving instructor training
• Accessible diving education
• Adaptive diving courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Sappemeer

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Diving Course Fees: IAHD courses are priced higher than standard diving courses due to extra equipment and time required to train divers with physical or intellectual disabilities. Course duration is flexible and based on individual learning outcomes rather than fixed timeframes.
2. Membership (D-Member): Digital membership system providing ongoing access to IAHD services and resources.
3. Course Materials (D-Purchase): Online store for purchasing course materials and related products.
4. Digital Learning Content: Revenue from the D-Learning system for theoretical training materials and assessments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IAHD is a nonprofit scuba diving education organization that trains and certifies people with physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as the instructors who teach them. Its core offering is a portfolio of adaptive diving courses delivered through a global network of certified instructors and approved dive centers, supported by a proprietary digital ecosystem: D-Learning for self-paced theory study, D-Member for digital membership and QR-code certifications, and D-Purchase for course materials. The organization also runs instructor training and crossover programs for instructors from other diving agencies.

Product overview

IAHD (International Association for Handicapped Divers) is a scuba diving education organization for people with disabilities. The organization operates a digital platform ecosystem consisting of three interconnected systems: D-Learning (online theory training), D-Member (digital membership management with QR code certifications), and D-Purchase (online store for course materials). The core offering includes adaptive scuba diving courses and instructor training programs, all delivered through a network of certified dive centers and instructors worldwide. The IAHD Wheel represents the organization's unique inclusive methodology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• D-Member: Fully digital membership system
• D-Learning
• D-Purchase

Products and services

• IAHD Scuba Diving Courses

Quantifiable outcome

• IAHD has guided thousands of people at every level of diving certification since 1993
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stichting (on)Beperkt Duiken (Disabled Diving Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation focused on making diving accessible for people with disabilities in the Netherlands. Located in Alkmaar and Lisse, organizing weekly swimming, snorkeling, and diving activities from September through June. Provides volunteer opportunities and IAHD refresher courses for instructors.
• Disabled Diving Foundation Fun DivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational foundation dedicated to ensuring people with disabilities can enjoy diving safely and responsibly. Seeks volunteers including divers and instructors from various diving organizations. Offers training courses and organizes regular diving activities.
• Dive Center New AtlantiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIAHD's main training center located in Sappemeer, Netherlands. Co-owned by Managing Director Gerard Oijnhausen. Provides IAHD courses and serves as headquarters for the organization.
• Curaçao Dolphin Training & Research Centre (CDTC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner location in Curaçao offering unique diving experiences including dolphin interactions. IAHD Instructor Trainer Hans Pleij operates from this center.
• Dolphin Suites CuraçaominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold-rated IAHD accommodation partner in Curaçao offering accessible diving experiences.
• Ukrainian Institute for Underwater ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkraine-based institute that has developed a rehabilitation program through diving. Conducted crossover course for instructors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Diveheart: Diveheart is a US-based nonprofit providing adaptive scuba diving and scuba therapy programs for people with disabilities, mirroring IAHD's therapeutic positioning and individual-with-disability customer segment.
• Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA): HSA is a direct competitor that also certifies divers with disabilities and trains instructors in adaptive scuba techniques, operating with a similar mission to IAHD since the 1980s and sharing the same end-customer personas.
• Disabled Divers International: Disabled Divers International is a smaller adaptive diving organization offering instructor certifications and dive trips for people with disabilities, directly overlapping IAHD's core mission and customer segments in select regions.

Broad incumbents

• SSI (Scuba Schools International): SSI is a major global diving certification organization offering adaptive diver programs and instructor training, competing with IAHD for the same instructors seeking to add adaptive credentials to their portfolio.
• CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques): CMAS is the international federation of underwater activities, providing unified diving standards and instructor certifications worldwide, comparable to IAHD in its global standards-setting and instructor training function.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): PADI is the world's largest recreational diving certification body and has introduced adaptive diver specialties, making it a broad incumbent that overlaps with IAHD's certification and instructor-training offerings across a wider market.
• BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club): BSAC is the UK's national governing body for recreational diving with a club-based membership model and instructor pathway, broadly comparable to IAHD's member-network and instructor certification approach.
• SDI/TDI (Scuba Diving International / Technical Diving International): SDI/TDI is a global recreational and technical diving certification agency offering instructor crossover programs similar to IAHD's cross-over pathway for instructors from other diving organizations.
• NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors): NAUI is a long-established US-based diving certification body offering instructor training across recreational diving disciplines, comparable to IAHD in the instructor certification layer of the value chain.

Emerging players

• Scubility: Scubility is an emerging organization focused on adaptive scuba diving programs and certifications, addressing the same end-customer need as IAHD but with a more limited geographic and instructor footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-GGM7qqqaOT5mJGIP08PKQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iahd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IAHD