We aren’t just “ADA Compliant” at PNW Massage Academy. We strive to go above and beyond, and think of accessibility a little differently.

Due to the physical nature of the job itself, massage therapy is best for people who can stand and exert pressure for a few hours at a time. Even then, can you do massage from a sitting position? Absolutely.

What we do to make school better for everyone:

• We teach students to pay attention to their bodies. While learning the proper postures and “body mechanics” which are healthiest, you also need to learn your own limitations. Getting regular bodywork as part of class also helps you become more in tune with how you are feeling! By the time you graduate, you will have a good idea of how many massages you can do in a day without straining yourself, and how much time between massages is best for you.
• We encourage note-taking and studying in the format that fits you best. We have study materials printed as well as online, so that you can access what you need. If you want to take notes in a notebook, on your laptop, or not at all – do what works for you.
• You don’t have to ask for us to use closed captioning on every video – subtitles help everyone get the most out of what they are watching.
• Our space is quiet, generally free of distraction, and easy to relax in. Chair uncomfortable? Grab an office chair or a floor cushion! Are the lights too bright in the class? Just turn off the overhead lights and flip on the floor lamps. Can’t focus on studying? Pop in some earbuds and play music that helps! With only 10 people to each class, we can generally make everyone pretty comfortable in the classroom environments.

Funding

The Washington Department of Vocational Rehabilitation is a local government program which connects individuals with disabilities to funding and other resources based on their needs. Click the link to go to their page and see what they currently have available.

How does the program work?

We are continuously running classes, starting 4 to 5 groups each year. When you start the program, you will attend 4-hour classes 4 days per week.

After 3 months, you will also join the student clinic where you gain supervised hands-on practice with the public once per week, meeting the state requirement for licensure.

You would also attend one volunteer chair massage day, where we offer free chair massages at different community events.