Adaptive Rowing has been gaining momentum world wide with adaptive rowers being welcomed into the rowing communities of many countries around the world. Canada, the United Kingdom and United States have particularly active adaptive rowing communities rowing out many rowing clubs. They have conducted research into best practice and published guides for clubs to follow when entering the Adaptive Rowing arena.

Rowing is one of the first sports federations to have integrated "adaptive" rowing into its federation. Adaptive implies that the equipment is "adapted" to the user to practice the sport, rather than the sport being "adapted" to the user. Other Paralympic sports are mainly classified by disability rather than sport as opposed to rowing.

Adaptive Rowing is open to individuals with numerous types of disabilities including, but not limited to, paraplegics, quadriplegics, amputees, and the visually impaired. The basic requirement to row is the ability to use one or both upper extremities, even if there is limited strength.

The basic techniques of Adaptive Rowing are the same as with "normal" rowing encompassing balance, timing and competent oar-work. Adaptations are based on the needs of the individual rower and could include fixed seats (as opposed to sliding seats) for those individuals that possess only upper body movement, extra weight for better balance in the case of amputees or pontoons can also be added for extra boat stability.