Various teacher / school resources are available regarding sport and physical activity when working with students with disabilities -

1.  Sports Ability

The Sports Ability program is an inclusive activities program which targets young people in special education settings, both mainstream and special provision. It has two main aims:

• to provide teachers and support staff with more ways of including young people with disabilities in physical activity and sport, particularly those who have higher support needs;
• and to create a medium for the integration of young people with and without disabilities in inclusive activities.

The purchase of a Sports Ability kit provides schools / teachers equipment and resource material to participate in the following activities -

Table Cricket
Polybat
Boccia
Sitting Volleyball
Goalball

and importantly over 20 minor lead up games and training and development for school staff in the implementation of the program.

Current DET schools participating in the program.

2.  Telstra Paralympic Education Program

The Telstra Paralympic Education Program  was recently launched in Sydney.  The program designed for middle / upper primary school students provides lesson plans and activities across most curricula.

The Telstra Paralympic Education Program  links to NSW curriculum outcomes and is focused on diversity and inclusion.

School's should register online - Telstra Paralympic Education Program

The key values of Paralympic Sport relate to

EMPOWERMENT        ACHIEVEMENT        INSPIRATION

The Telstra Paralympic Education Program provides way of introducing these values into the classroom.  The activities within the Telstra Paralympic Education Program's Teaching Resource allows teachers to select learning activities that suit the needs of their class and the topics and values being studied.

Register Now - Telstra Paralympic Education Program

3. Disability Education Program

The Disability Education Program (DEP) supports the promotion of a physically active lifestyle for all Australians, including Australians with disabilities. The DEP provides training and resource material for teachers, coaches and community leaders to help them include people with disabilities in what they do.

The DEP consists of a number of training modules aimed at specific target groups and covering a range of topics related to the inclusion of people with disabilities in physical activity and sport.

• Count Me In – generic sport, physical activity & awareness workshop
• Getting Ready for School – inclusion in physical education & sport for teachers & other education staff
• Opening Doors – Awareness workshop aimed at club administrators & volunteers
• Play By the Rules – Workshop looking at the Disability Discrimination Act 1992
• What is Disability Sport? – Introductory workshop including the structure of disability sport & classification
• Inclusive Coaching – coach-oriented module that will enhance current knowledge and promote an inclusive approach

Courses are regularly offered to teachers throughout NSW.  Contact Ryan Sherry at NSW Dept of Sport and Recreation on 9006 3806 for information regarding the next course.