C.C.C.P Caribbean Coaching Certification Program

Module 10 Sport for Persons with a Disability Sport for Persons with a Disability

Introduction At some point in your career you may have the opportunity to work with an athlete who has a disability At some point in your career you may have the opportunity to work with an athlete who has a disability This module provides information about easy ways to include persons with disabilities into any sport This module provides information about easy ways to include persons with disabilities into any sport

Unit 1 Working with athletes with a disability

Athletes with disabilities People with a wide range of disabilities compete in sport Athletes with both intellectual disabilities as well as physical impairments Athletes compete at the highest level such as the Paralympic Games

Athletes with Intellectual disability Individuals with substantial limitations in intellectual function- IQ < 70 Individuals with substantial limitations in intellectual function- IQ < 70 Difficulty in communication Difficulty in communication Looking after their health and safety Looking after their health and safety Dealing with social interactions Dealing with social interactions Learning difficulties…academic in particular Learning difficulties…academic in particular Their impairment must be permanent and impact their ability to perform in sport Their impairment must be permanent and impact their ability to perform in sport

Autism Complex development disability typically appearing during first 3 years of life: result of a neurological disorder which affects brain function Complex development disability typically appearing during first 3 years of life: result of a neurological disorder which affects brain function Affects the way the child communicates with others, and perceives and reacts to the world Affects the way the child communicates with others, and perceives and reacts to the world Many take part in Special Olympics Many take part in Special Olympics

Athletes with Physical disabilities Athletes with a locomotor disability or sensory impairment: major groups with sensory impairment are those who are blind or have visual impairment Athletes with a locomotor disability or sensory impairment: major groups with sensory impairment are those who are blind or have visual impairment Major groups with locomotor impairment would include amputees, spinal cord injured, cerebral palsy and ‘les autres” Major groups with locomotor impairment would include amputees, spinal cord injured, cerebral palsy and ‘les autres” For details, see page 139 For details, see page 139

General Tips Athlete with a disability is an athlete first Your role as the coach is to remove the barriers to the athletes participation… Focus on what the CAN do and not on what the cannot do Refer to the disability only when relevant Make no assumptions Promote skill development…. If you are unsure, ask the athlete

Athletes with Impaired Hearing Don’t shout…they wont hear you Stand in front of them so they can lip read Make instructions visual where possible Get permission before touching-tactile feedback Carry a pad and pencil for writing instructions or comments or any feedback

Athletes with Impaired Vision No need to shout to the person Speak directly to the person Encourage the person to take your arm Let the person know you are approaching them or in their presence Introduce anyone else who may be present Don’t reposition items in the environment Develop a very clear audible signal that signals STOP!...accident prevention…

Athletes who use wheelchairs Ask if they need assistance before touching their wheelchair Do not lean or prop anything on their wheelchair Speak directly to the athlete and if possible get down to their level Be aware of the person’s abilities since they may be able to walk with an aid

Unit 2 Safety and Medical Considerations

Generally the same conditions apply to athletes with and without disabilities Care, prevention and management of injuries: Warm up, stretching, cool down First Aid…and overuse injuries Safe and appropriate exercises Protective equipment Nutrition and fluid replacement

Safety Considerations Before working with any athlete with a disability, it is wise to have the athlete (and the parents/guardian if the athlete is a minor) meet with his or her doctor or medical team and get from them any recommendations concerning athlete - specific activity restrictions or instructions for the coach. They are the experts on what the athlete can do. Before working with any athlete with a disability, it is wise to have the athlete (and the parents/guardian if the athlete is a minor) meet with his or her doctor or medical team and get from them any recommendations concerning athlete - specific activity restrictions or instructions for the coach. They are the experts on what the athlete can do.

Athletes with spinal cord injury Ensure athletes are properly strapped…if needed… in their chair before starting Ensure athletes are properly strapped…if needed… in their chair before starting Check straps and foot support regularly Check straps and foot support regularly Ask athletes if they have the ability to regulate their body temperature Ask athletes if they have the ability to regulate their body temperature Thermal protection for the lower body and back, buttocks, upper legs… Thermal protection for the lower body and back, buttocks, upper legs… Prevent pressure areas (sores) in areas of constant contact…see page 141 Prevent pressure areas (sores) in areas of constant contact…see page 141

Unit 3 Strategies for Adaptation: Making Inclusion Happen

Strategies Inclusion planning works best as a team effort Inclusion planning works best as a team effort Promotes shared ownership and responsibility from the start Promotes shared ownership and responsibility from the start Ensure all individuals have access Ensure all individuals have access Always focus on the abilities of the athletes and plan with these in mind rather than focusing on their disabilities Always focus on the abilities of the athletes and plan with these in mind rather than focusing on their disabilities

Consider the following Access: How will the athlete access the facility, the showers, toilets, etc? Team mates can be used, or a wooden ramp Access: How will the athlete access the facility, the showers, toilets, etc? Team mates can be used, or a wooden ramp Communication: What is the nature and level of communication needed…player to coach…player to official…player to player? Communication: What is the nature and level of communication needed…player to coach…player to official…player to player?

More Considerations Mobility: How the athlete gets around will determine the nature of the experience designed. The coach must consider the level of coordination, balance,…etc Mobility: How the athlete gets around will determine the nature of the experience designed. The coach must consider the level of coordination, balance,…etc Adaptation: The ability of the coach to adapt the equipment, facility, rules of the game will determine the overall effectiveness of the program Adaptation: The ability of the coach to adapt the equipment, facility, rules of the game will determine the overall effectiveness of the program Additional details … Additional details …

SUMMARY Persons with disabilities deserve equal opportunities for the realization of benefits Pay attention to treating them as athletes Treat them with respect Talk to them directly Work with them to find out limitations Work with them to adapt sports, activities Ensure they have physical access to sport and recreational facilities