SIDO Year 1 Annual Report (March 2008 - February 2009)

Sports Inclusion Disability ProjectYear 1 Annual ReportMarch 2008 – February 2009County Sligo VEC1

ContentsPage(s)• Messages 3• Introduction and background 4• SIDO Aims and Objectives 5• SIDO – 2 Year Targets 6• Getting Started 7• Programme and Events Year One Statistical Information 8• Sport Ability Day 2008 9• Sports Programming 10 - 12• Inclusive Sports Clubs 13 - 16• Including People with a Disability in Mainstream Events 17 - 18• Education and Training 19 - 20• Building Partnerships 21• Case Studies 22 - 23• Challenges 24• The Way Forward 25• Contact Details 262

MessagesMessage from SSRP Co-ordinator – Deirdre LavinI am pleased to welcome the first Annual Report for the Sports Inclusion DisabilityProject. It is most encouraging to see the progress made in increasing participationthroughout County Sligo by people with a disability in sport and active recreation in year1 of the project. Many new and inclusive sporting programmes have been establishedencouraging participation by people with a disability. A variety of education and traininginitiatives have been facilitated thereby empowering personnel form clubs andorganisations to be more inclusive. Central to the success of the project has been thepartnership approach adopted in the development and delivery of initiatives which hasinvolved networking with disability organisations, local statutory bodies, governing bodiesof sport, sports clubs, schools and community organisations.I would like to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of Sports InclusionDisability Officer, Shane Hayes, for his commitment to the co-ordination and successfuldelivery of the project.Funding at national level from Pobal and the Dormant Accounts has been the catalyst forthe establishment of a network of 21 Sports Inclusion Disability Officers. In addition,support from the Irish Sports Council and the CARA centre in IT Tralee has supportedthe overall co-ordination and structure for the initiative. Sligo Sport and RecreationPartnership has received programme support and funding from local agencies includingHealth Service Executive West, Sligo County Council, Sligo Borough Council andCounty Sligo VEC which has enhanced the quality and extent of programming available.It will be important to work collectively to ensure future funding for the long termsustainability of this worthwhile project. The Sports Inclusion Disability Project has beenestablished as an important element of the SSRP Active Communities strategy and willcontribute to realising more fully our vision of “Sport and Recreation: A Way of Life inSligo”.Message from Sports Inclusion Disability Officer (SIDO)- Shane HayesThis, the first annual report of the SIDO project in Sligo, shows the impact of the SportsInclusion Disability initiative to date with regard to the various programmes, events andtraining which have been delivered over the past twelve months. The report reflects thework being carried out by the SIDO in Sligo, acknowledging the assistance and cooperationof the key local, regional and national agencies which have helped contributeto its success. Through the SIDO programme Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnershiphave made significant progress in the provision of sporting and active recreationalopportunities for people with disabilities throughout the county. I have been fortunateenough to have met and worked with a significant number of people with disabilitiesthrough their involvement in the various events and programmes and I hope to build onthese relationships in the coming year. I have also had the pleasure of working with arange of local agencies and clubs from the disability and sporting sector and I would liketo thank them for their continued interest and support for the project. I would particularlylike to thank the many new volunteers who have become involved in the variousprogrammes and events, as without them the success of the project would not bepossible.Finally, it is with great enthusiasm and a positive outlook that I look forward toyear two of the project.3

IntroductionBackground to ProjectIn March 2008, following recommendations from a report entitled ‘An Action Planfor Sport and Physical Activity for People with a Disability in Sligo and Donegal2004 -2006’, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership appointed their first SportsInclusion Disability Officer (SIDO). Funding for this post in addition to a further 19positions around the country was secured from POBAL through the DormantAccounts Fund. The project also receives additional support from the Irish SportsCouncil and a number of local agencies including Sligo Vocational EducationCommittee, Sligo County Council, Sligo Borough Council and the Health ServiceExecutive-West. The SIDO programme is co-ordinated nationally by the CARAAdapted Physical Activity Centre which is based in Institute of Technology,Tralee with the aim of coordinating, facilitating and advocating for the inclusion ofpeople with disabilities in sport, physical activity and physical education. Locally,the SIDO programme is managed by Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership.4

SIDO Aims and ObjectivesThe work programme of the SIDO is guided by the SSRP strategy “Making Sportand Recreation a Way of Life in Sligo 2007-2012” and the “Action Plan for Sportand Physical Activity for People with a Disability in Sligo and Donegal”. Inaddition the project objectives agreed with Pobal, the funding body for the projectare a key focus.AimThe overall aim of the SIDO project is to increase participation by people with adisability in sport and active recreation through working in partnership withstatutory agencies, sports clubs, community groups, facility providers, schools,disability services and people with disabilities.ObjectivesThe SIDO works towards achieving this aim by addressing a number of keyobjectives including:• Raising awareness of sports and recreational opportunities available for allpeople with disabilities in Sligo.• Improving current provision for people with disabilities to take place insport and recreation by introducing new opportunities into Sligo.• Working with local organisers of mainstream sport and recreation inimproving coaching and facility provision for people with disabilities acrossSligo.• Encouraging and advising people with disabilities as to the best way tobecome involved with sport and recreation.• Exploring funding opportunities for sports and recreational activities forpeople with disabilities across Sligo.• Developing an up to date database of all participants with a disability andlocal organisations offering sporting activities for people with disabilities.• Promoting and raising the profile of sport and recreation for people withdisabilities with a number of sporting events held each year.5

Two Year Targets2 Year Targets (March 2008 – February 2010)At the outset of the project key targets were identified by Sligo Sport andRecreation Partnership and agreed with Pobal, the funding body. The table belowshows the progress made in Year 1 of the SIDO project towards achieving theoverall targets.ACTION AREA ACTION 2 YEAR TARGET YEAR 1(Mar 2008 – Feb 2009)TargetedProgrammingMainstreamSports ClubsNew/ExistingSports ClubsEducation andTrainingInclusiveFitness/GymTo engage people with adisability in targetedprogrammes (eg: Games for All,Aerobics, Boccia, NewOpportunities etc)To integrate people with adisability into mainstream sportsclubs (ie: Athletics, Cycling,Archery, Martial Arts, TableTennis, Sailing)To support the development ofnew/existing sports clubsthrough focus sports (Boccia,Athletics, Swimming)To provide education andtraining in the area of sport anddisability (AwarenessWorkshops, PE In-Service etc)To support local Fitness/Gymcentres as models of goodpractice in terms of accessibility80 participants 65 participants intargeted programmes170 participants atinclusive events10 participants 223 sports clubs 260 participants 803 centres 2YEAR 2(Mar 2009 – Feb 2010)TOTALMarketing/Promotion& InformationNetworkingPolicyDevelopmentTo effectively market andpromote sport and activerecreation for people with adisability. To provide and shareinformation (Website,newsletters, various media,databases etc)To work in partnership throughco-operation and collaborationwith all the key stakeholders inthe disability sector and toestablish a Disability SportsForumTo support clubs in thedevelopment of InclusivePolicies20 features 116 meetings 34 Clubs 16

Getting Started – Project LaunchSligo Sport and Recreation Partnership launched the Sports Inclusion DisabilityProject at the Council Chambers of Sligo County Council in April 2008. Theproject was officially launched by the special guest speaker Dr. Jimmy Devins,the then Minister for Disability and Mental Health, who spoke of the positiveoutcomes which could be achieved for disability sport and recreation in Sligothrough the work of the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer. He gave his fullsupport to the strategic development and implementation of disability sport inSligo, and further supported the setting up of a North West Disability AdvisoryCommittee to promote the disability agenda in both Sligo and Donegal. He notedthat this would ensure facilitate the sharing of resources and provide a vehicle fordiscussing best practice in disability sport. A number or other key speakersaddressed the launch including Hubert Keirns (County Manager, Sligo CountyCouncil), Sean Purcell (CEO Sligo VEC), Pat Dolan (Local Health Manager,HSE) and Counciller Joe Leonard (Chairman SSRP).Information GatheringAnother important task for the SIDO at the outset of the project was in the area ofresearch and information gathering. In order to effectively target and liaise withpeople with a disability to provide quality sporting and recreational opportunities,the SIDO developed a number of participant disability databases. This enablesthe SIDO to provide information, advice and support on disability sport to a widenumber of people from the disability sector in Sligo. The information was initiallygathered through the dissemination of questionnaires to disabilityorganistions/services, sports clubs, and schools and to individuals with adisability directly. To date there are over 130 names on the disabilityparticipant database which the SIDO hopes to increase in year two.7

Programmes / Events Year One Statistical InformationProgramme /Event Participant Age Type of DisabilityNumber of ParticipantsTotalNumberNumberwith aDisabilityGames For All Adults / Young People Intellectual 38 38Boccia / Kurling Adults Pan Disability 20 18Aerobics Adults Physical / Sensory 14 13Table Tennis Adults / Young People Pan Disability 12 5Tandem Cycling Adults / Young People Visual 6 6Archery Adults / Young People Pan Disability 13 12Basketball Adults / Young People Intellectual 12 12Athletics 5 – 14 year olds Pan Disability 80 12Sailing Adults /Young People Physical / Sensory 14 14Horse Riding Young People Intellectual 10 10Sport Ability Day Adults /Young People Pan Disability 75 75National Trails Day Adults /Young People Pan Disability 80 13Walking Week Adults /Young People Pan Disability 51 51Climbing Wall Young People Intellectual / Sensory 8 8Mental Health Walking Adults Mental Health 15 15TOTALS 448 302 Young people refers to anyone under 18 years of age Pan Disability refers to all types of disability (intellectual, physical, sensory,medical difficulty and mental health)Disability Breakdown3% 9%Intellectual7%Physical26%55%SensoryMedical DifficultiesMental HealthThis chart represents a breakdown of the different disability categories who haveparticipated in the various programmes and events organised by the SIDO inYear One8

Sports Ability Day 2008Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership held their first Sports Ability day at the Institute ofTechnology, Ballinode on Saturday September 20 th 2008. The purpose of the SportsAbility event was to give people with a disability the opportunity to try out a range ofdifferent sports and active recreational activities and to help establish which activitiesthey enjoy and might like to pursue in the future. In conjunction with the Sports InclusionDisability Project national objectives, a number of key focus sports were selected to bedelivered at the event. These included Athletics, Boccia, Soccer and the use of theGym/Fitness suite. Furthermore, a number of additional activities were selected in orderto broaden the choice available to the participants and increase the potential for findingbeneficial and enjoyable activities for all. The additional sports activities on offer includedArchery, Basketball/Wheelchair Basketball, Cycling (Tandem Cycling), TableTennis/Table Top Games and New Age Kurling. The day was divided into a morning andafternoon session, with the morning catering for individuals with physical/sensorydisabilities and the afternoon session aimed at those with an intellectual disability.During both sessions the participants were split into groups and given the opportunity totry all of the activities on offer if they so wished. All of the various activities beingdelivered were supported by a number of experienced coaches and instructors. Thisenabled the participants, regardless of their ability level to ‘have a go’ at the range ofactivities on offer in a safe and supportive environment. Shane Hayes, Sports InclusionDisability Officer with Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership gave special praise to theclubs and organisations, both local and national that supported the event and providedquality coaching and instruction in their various sports. Locally these included theCarrowmore Archers, Sligo Athletics Club, Sligo City Table Tennis Club, InnisfreeWheelers Cycling Club, Special Olympics Connacht and the local FAI DevelopmentOfficer. He stated that their support is a testament to the clubs/organisationscommitment towards developing inclusive sports activities for people in Sligo. Nationally,the Irish Wheelchair Association introduced and delivered Wheelchair Basketball as wellas providing hand cycles for participants to try out on the track. He concluded by sayingthat without the support of these groups and the expertise they provided the day wouldnot have been possible.“I thought the sports day was excellent and very well put together. I got totry Wheelchair Basketball, Archery and Track and Field, and I’d definitely like totry them again “ MC Female Adult Participant with a Physical Disability“ His favorite was the bowling and the table tennis, it was great that he could takepart in everything, and thank you for organising these great days for our specialkids” Mother of 7 year old child with an Intellectual Disability“The day was brilliant as there was plenty of choice. We had great fun taking partin the different sports and it gave me a challenge”20 year old male with intellectual disability9

Sports ProgrammingBocciaBocca is a non-contact, target sport played by individuals, pairs or teams whichrelies on skill and subtlety, rather than size, strength or speed. Boccia made itsfirst appearance at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, and today it remains thepremier sport for athletes with severe physical disabilities and providesspectators and competitors with thrilling, high-level competition. In Sligo, a BocciaClub has been established with great support from the local branch of the IrishWheelchair Association (IWA). The club which caters for adults of all abilitiesmeets fortnightly at the IT Sportshall to practice their skills and become morefamiliar with the game. The club now has 18 regular members who play in localtournaments organised by the local SIDO and tey also entered two teams into theNational Boccia League organised by the main promoters of the games in thiscountry, Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland (CPSI). The members are currently workingclosely with the SIDO to establish a committee to oversee the club activities andto ensure the sustainability of the club into the future. The participants alsopractice another target game, New Age Kurling at the club training sessions.“Its great fun, I’ve learned how to play the game of Boccia and I love meeting andinteracting with new people”Female Participant with Physical and Sensory Disability“I play Boccia every second week; it’s very enjoyable and good formeeting other people with disabilities. People get to know you and it means youcan help others who want to join the club”Female Participant with Physical Disability10

Games For AllThis programme targets both adults and children with an intellectual disability. Todate, over 38 participants have attended the programmes which run for tenweeks at a time. The sessions are delivered by quality coaches who havesignificant experience in working with this particular target group. In addition tothe warm up games and activities the participants are given the opportunity topractice the core fundamental skills (running, jumping, catching, throwing, rolling,kicking etc) which are so important to their physical development. The sessionsare run in a safe and fun environment and the response from parents, carers,and family members has been very positive. The success of the programme hasled to it being replicated in South Sligo with fourteen adults attending.“My son can now take part in sports like his siblings. He is no longer left onthe sidelines with me telling him, it’s not for you this time. He comes away with anew energy and feeling good about himself”Mother of a 14 year old boy with intellectual disability“This is a wonderful programme, run by superb staff who are totally in tune withtheir participant’s abilities. There is great variety of activities and lots ofinteracting with others”Mother of an adult male participant with an intellectual disability11

‘Sit and Be Fit’ Seated AerobicsThese aerobic sessions targeted adults with physical and sensory disabilities andcan be performed in a wheelchair or in a seated chair. The routines incorporatevarious exercises using the upper body which will help improve aerobic fitness.The variety of exercises being performed aim to provide the participants with anall-around, low-impact, enjoyable workout. A qualified aerobics instructordelivered three programmes, each six weeks in duration between October 2008and March 2009. These took place at the IWA centre in Abbeyville with 14 adultsparticipating. It is planned to extend the programmes to 10 weeks in year two.“The clients participated well and really enjoyed it. I noticed an improvement intheir mobility and flexibility and they left the sessions on a happy note”Aerobics Instructor“It helped me to move parts of my body that I have not really been usingand the music and meeting new people kept me motivated”Female participant with a physical disabilityHorse RidingSupport was given to St Cecilia’s Special School to run a 6-week Horse Ridingprogramme at McGarry’s Riding School. Ten pupils form the school took part inforty five minute sessions supported by school staff and qualified trainers fromthe Horse Riding centre. These equine programmes have both a therapeutic andlearning impact on the pupils with intellectual disabilities who attend.“This was a great experience for the students in my school. There wasconsistency – practically the same people were there each week. The sessionswere of a good length 40 – 45 minutes. The children showed great progressionand development of muscular control. Their communication skills developed asdid their confidence. The centre provided good staffing levels “Principal – St Cecilias, Special School12

Inclusive Sports ClubsSligo Athletics Club Inclusive Sports Hall ProgrammeSligo Sport and Recreation Partnership in association with Sligo Athletics Clubdeveloped an inclusive sportshall athletics programme as part of the SportsInclusion Disability Project. This programme provides young people of all abilitylevels aged between 5-12 years with a chance to experience running, jumping,and throwing activities as their first steps into athletics. The sessions aredelivered by experienced coaches from Sligo A.C and assisted by studentvolunteers from the Institute of Technology, Sligo who had attended the GamesFor All training. Over 80 children in total attended the programme which included12 young people with a disability. Following the winter indoor programme thesession moved outdoors for 7 -14 year olds to the track at the Institute ofTechnology, Sligo. The programme will re-commence in September 2009 with aview to some of the children who are attending regularly becoming members ofthe club.“I found it very encouraging to see my son taking part in the athletics andenjoying it so much. To see him improve every week, mix with the other kids, andbe able to follow instructions and achieve different tasks was brilliant”Father of 6 year old boy with an intellectual disability13

Sligo City Table Tennis Club Beginners Table Tennis ProgrammeFollowing on from interest shown at the Sports Ability Day a beginners tabletennis programme was set up for adults and children of all ability levels withSligo City Table Tennis Club. The six week camps which were held at the clubtraining facility in Sligo Grammar School were organised for anyone wishing to tryout the game of table tennis, and included 5 people with a disability. Eachparticipant was provided with a table tennis bat and received coaching fromqualified coaches from the table tennis club. It is hoped that some of the newmembers will continue with the game of table tennis and join the club as amember.‘Aidan is flying – he has been playing in local tournaments on teams withthree other local lads. I’m keen to get him onto the national programme now’Head Coach with Sligo Table Tennis Club commenting on a 12 year old participant with aphysical disability.Innisfree Wheelers Tandem Cycling InitiativeThe tandem cycling initiative was set up through the Sports Inclusion Disability Projectwith the support of the Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club. The initial steps of the tandemcycling initiative involved the SSRP allocating funding to the local cycling club, theInnisfree Wheelers to purchase a tandem bike. A number of club members were thentrained as potential tandem pilots through a ‘come & try’ initiative for eight localindividuals with a visual impairment, delivered at the IT athletics track. Following this anumber of individuals then participated in a 6-week spinning class programme. This wasorganised and attended by Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club members at the ClarionLeisure Centre and three people with visual impairments also attended. One extremelyenthusiastic cyclist has carried on his training with a view to participating in the An PostTour of Sligo in May 2009 and the Malin Head to Mizen Head cycle in June. The SIDOhopes to explore potential funding opportunities to purchase another two tandem bikessuch is the popularity of the sport with local visually impaired athletes.14

Sligo all Stars Special Olympics BasketballSligo All Stars Basketball Club with support from the local SIDO have set up anew Special Olympics Basketball Club for adults and young people with anintellectual disability. The club trains every Sunday morning at the Mercy Collegegym, the home of the Sligo All Stars Basketball Club. The sessions are deliveredby qualified basketball coaches from the club and up to 12 people of all ages withan intellectual are participating regularly. Although some of the players hadpreviously experienced basketball through some of their services/schools, thenew Special Olympics Basketball Club provides the opportunity to not onlypractice their individual skills under the guidance of experienced coaches but tolearn the basic rules of the game and to begin thinking about teamwork andcommunication. It is planned to continue with the club with an aim to increasingnumbers in September 2009.Mullaghmore Sailing Club ‘Open Skies’ Inclusive Sailing ProgrammeA Sailing programme for people with physical and sensory disabilities has been inoperation now since 2006. This social inclusion programme is supported by a number oflocal agencies including the HSE Physical and Sensory Department, SSRP, IWA SligoBranch, Sligo County Council, Sligo Leader Partnership Company and MullaghmoreSailing Club. The summer based programme involved 10 adults and 10 young peoplewith physical and sensory disabilities participating in a week long sailing camp eachsummer with a view to joining the club and taking up the sport of sailing on a moreregular basis. To date, four individuals (two adults/two young people) who participated inthe summer programme have joined the sailing club. Through funding from Sligo CountyCouncil, Sligo Borough Council and Sligo Leader Partnership Company a number ofspecially adapted boats were purchased by the club, along with the extension of theslipway, the building of ramps to make the slipway more accessible and the inclusion ofa potable hoist/safety harness to assist individuals getting on and off the boats. Therewere also a number of life jackets and wet suits purchased for use during theprogammes. The programme is viewed a positive step towards integration and socialinclusion as both able bodied and those with a disability participate together. The SIDOnow sits on a steering committee whose role is to work towards sustaining the sailingproject in the future.16

Including People with a Disability in Mainstream EventsNational Trails For All DaySunday 28 th September 2008 was the first National Trails Day to be organisedin Ireland and people of all ages and abilities were encouraged to get out andenjoy the huge range of trails available across the country. Ireland has a wealthof trails of many types, from multi-access trails for all users to more challengingtrails for the serious hill walker or mountain biker. Here in Sligo a number ofinitiatives were organised for the day including an ‘Inclusive Family Walk’ atHazelwood forest. Organised by the SIDO and SSRP co-ordinator with supportlocally from Coillte the trail involved a fun adventure walk for all the family,including people with a disability, incorporating a leisurely walk along trailsthrough the wood involving the identification of clues along the route. The eventwas well attended by local families with over eighty participants including elevenpeople with a disability (two wheelchair users).“I live in Sligo and didn’t even know this trail existed. It was great fun for all the familyand both my kids really enjoyed it “Parent who attended Hazelwood Trail with two children, one of whom had a intellectualdisability17

Sligo Walking Week 2008 Embraces All Ability LevelsPeople of all ages and fitness levels got the opportunity to put on their walkingshoes and get active as part of SSRP’s Walking Week 2008. A popular range ofevents took place from Monday 19 th May to Sunday 25 th May. A variety of walkswere planned and whether you were an enthusiastic newcomer to this form ofphysical activity or a seasoned hill walker, there were walks there to suit all. Theweek was co-ordinated by Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership with supportfrom Sligo Mountaineering Club, Lough Talt Walkers and Curlew Walking Club.Promoting the joys and health benefits of walking for all is a central part of theweeklong activities. Additionally the SIDO planned a number of walks involvingover fifty people with a disability, including enthusiastic walkers from CreggHouse, Gallagher House, Rehab Care and the Irish Wheelchair Association andboth St Josephs and St Cecilia’s Special Schools. These groups participated inwalks in a range of Sligo’s excellent locations including Hazelwood, Lough Talt inTubbercurry and the Doorly Park/Riverside Sli Na Slainte route.Girls OutsideThe Girls Outside project is designed to increase the number of girls aged 13-19years participating in walking and climbing, as an activity that can contribute tooverall health and an active lifestyle. The project is delivered using a partnershipapproach involving SSRP, the Mountaineering Council of Ireland and the IrishSports Councils ‘Women in Sport’ initiative. As part of this innovative project theproject co-ordinator arranged to have a mobile climbing wall brought to Sligo inorder to allow girls from the various local schools and communities to experienceclimbing in a safe and controlled indoor environment before progressing toclimbing in the outdoors. Pupils from the two local special schools were invited tobring some of their pupils along, as well as a number of pupils with a disabilityfrom mainstream schools. A total of eight pupils with both intellectual and sensorydisabilities had the opportunity to practice on the climbing wall and theythoroughly enjoyed their experience.18

Education and TrainingEducation and Training in the area of disability sport and physical activity is a keypriority for the Sports Inclusion Disability Project. Through the provision of anumber of specific courses outlined below, an increased number of coaches,teachers, leaders and volunteers have developed their sports disability coachingand awareness. It is envisaged that the promotion of an inclusive environmentwill result in increased opportunities for people with a disability to participate insport in Sligo.Disability Awareness Through Sport TrainingTo date a number of Disability Awareness Through Sport workshops have beendelivered to a range of different groups including local coaches and volunteersfrom a variety of sports and local disability services. In addition, specificworkshops have been delivered with a number of community organisationsincluding teenagers and young adults from The Crib Youth Centre, transition yearstudents from South Sligo and the Mercy College Post Leaving Cert pupils. Overeighty participants attended these training workshops. Following their attendanceon these courses the young people involved were actively encouraged to assistas volunteers on the various SIDO porgrammes being delivered.This training workshop is aimed at raising the participants’ awareness aboutdisability and sport. It explores the various types of disabilities and examines thekey points and guidelines to consider when working with people with a disabilityin sport and active recreation. The training is of benefit to anyone (coaches,parents, leaders, volunteers etc) working in the provision sporting andrecreational opportunities for people of all age groups with a disability.“I thought the course was very beneficial and gave some easy to follow tips forcoaching and working with people with a disability in your club”Mainstream Sports Coach attending the course“I now have a good idea and awareness of disability sport and inclusion forthe first time”Local Leisure Centre Employee who attended the trainingGames For All WorkshopTwo Games for All workshops were delivered; initially in conjunction with sixtyfive first year sport and recreation students at the Institute of Technology Sligo.These students then went on to volunteer on a rota basis to assist with theGames For All and Inclusive Sports Hall Athletics programmes over a ten weekperiod. A further workshop was carried out with twelve staff and volunteers from19

Easkey Family Resource Centre who were keen to be make their sports sessionsand summer camps more inclusive to all levels of ability.This 2 hour workshop was designed by Disability Sports Northern Ireland toprovide teachers, leaders and service workers with the knowledge and resourcesrequired to run a series of warm-up activities, core skills sessions and fun gamesfor disabled and non-disabled participants aged 5+. The material has beenspecifically designed to meet the needs of teachers and leaders with little or nosporting background as well as those with formal Physical Educationbackgrounds. The Games for All materials include a resource pack containing arange of colorful and easy to follow resource cards.“The workshop was very helpful and gave me some brilliant tips and skills forworking with people with special needs, it was an eye opener”Youth Worker from Easkey FRC who attended the workshop“I think the kids would enjoy these games activities as I feel there issomething for everyone. An excellent workshop in my opinion”Easkey FRC staff member who attended trainingPE In-Service TrainingSligo Sport and Recreation Partnership has been working in conjunction withSligo Education Centre for a number of years now to deliver the summer PhysicalEducation In-Service training to primary school teachers. In 2008, the SportsInclusion Disability Officer delivered the elements of the training and included asignificant inclusive element. In addition to the traditional stand units of games,gymnastics, athletics, dance and outdoor activities were inclusive games,including children with disabilities in PE and a focus on the inclusion element ofthe Buntus Generic programme. Twenty five teachers participated in the trainingwith positive responses to all of the inclusion material covered.“This was a super course, very hands on with hundreds of ideas. I’m actuallylooking forward to getting back to try some activities in PE!”Female Primary School Teacher on CourseVolunteeringAn integral aspect of the sports inclusion disability programmes are thevolunteers. Through its supported volunteering initiative SSRP promotes andcreates voluntary opportunities for people to assist with the delivery of the variousprogrammes and events. The SIDO works closely with the Sligo VolunteerCentre in Sligo who assist him with providing support and training to volunteers tohelp ensure that their experiences are successful and rewarding. There are nowthirty five people on the SSRP volunteer database.20

Building PartnershipsSports Disability ForumOne of the key issues to be addressed under the initial Sports Inclusion DisabilityProject proposal was the setting up and facilitation of a Sligo Sports DisabilityForum. The objectives of the forum include discussing current developments indisability sport, sharing ideas and information and improving networking and theuse of local resources. Furthermore, the forum provides the platform for exploringopportunities for increased participation by people with a disability in sport andactive recreation in Sligo. A wide range of individuals and services from the localdisability and sporting sector have been invited to participate on the forum to tryto ensure that as many people and organisations as possible can contribute tothe consultation process. The forum takes a partnership working approach withall the members offering discussion and recommendations where appropriateand there is a shared commitment from members to work together towardsachieving the common goal of increasing participation of people with a disabilityin sport and active recreation. The Sports Disability Forum meet quarterly and todate three meeting shave been held.North West Regional Disability Advisory GroupThe role of the SIDO is to support the strategic development and implementationof disability sport in Sligo and to contribute towards the national aims of the postunder the initial project proposal. Each SIDO is responsible with promotingparticipation amongst those with a disability, in sport and physical activity whilstensuring local resources are used to maximum effect. In addition to the supportreceived from the LSP’s and the CARA APA Centre, the SIDO’s in both Sligo andDonegal have been assisted in their roles through the establishment of a NorthWest Regional Disability Advisory Group. This group, facilitated by the HSE inco-operation with the LSP’s provides expert advice and shares best practice tohelp support the two SIDO’s on issues relating to disability, sport and physicalactivity. The members were selected from both statutory and voluntary agenciesfrom Sligo and Donegal, which has further served to strengthen the links anddevelop effective partnership working between the two LSP’s. Another keyobjective of the group is to explore potential funding opportunities in order tosustain the work of the SIDO’s in the future.21

Case StudiesCase Study One:Junior ParticipantName:Kyle BurnsAge: 10Address:Disability:SligoIntellectualKyle first came to the attention of the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer throughhis father Martin back in September 2008. Kyle’s parents were very keen for himto become more involved in sports activities in general as this would help both hisphysical and social development. Kyle’s first involvement came through hisparticipation in the Games For All programme on Saturday mornings where heattended regularly in the company of other young people with intellectualdisabilities. During these sessions Kyle showed significant improvements in hiscore fundamental skills, which encouraged his parents to enroll him in theInclusive Sports Hall Athletics programme. This athletics programme enabledKyle’s personal development further as not only was he practicing a range of thephysical skills he had learned previously, he was now putting them together toexperience his first steps into the sport of athletics. Furthermore, as this was aninclusive programme Kyle had the opportunity to mix and socialise with childrenof all ability levels in a safe and controlled environment. Through contact withKyle’s parents the SIDO has learnt that Kyle now attends the local GAA clubtraining for his age group and he takes a full part in sporting and physicaleducation activities at his primary school in Carraroe.“Kyle has really enjoyed the programmes he has attended. He hasbenefited in a great way from his involvement and has really come on over theweeks. He gets so excited about going every week now and the care andattention he gets is amazing. I’d love to see more programmes like this as it’s agreat platform for the kids to start and the benefits are huge”Martin - Kyle’s Father22

Case Study TwoAdult ParticipantName:Tom KavanaghAge: 40Address:Disability:SligoVisualTom initially made contact with the SIDO back in May 2008 with a specific interest inpursuing the sport of tandem cycling. Tom is visually impaired and although he had anopportunity to try out tandem cycling previously there were no avenues available for himto participate in the sport locally on a more regular basis. Following an initial meetingbetween Tom and the local SIDO a link was established with the local InnisfreeWheelers Cycling Club, who were allocated funding for the purchase of a tandem bike.Thus the tandem cycling initiative was established and an initial ‘come and try’ tandemcycling day was held at the IT athletics track. The purpose of this was to provide otherlocal visually impaired individuals with the opportunity to try out the sport of tandemcycling, but also to try and identify some cycling club members who might like to becometandem pilots. Tom attended this session but had his sights set on much bigger goals,namely completing the Sligo event of the An Post Tour Series, and the Malin to MizenHead Cycle which takes place annually and leads the participants across the countryfrom Cork to Donegal. The next step of the initiative involved the cycling club setting upan indoor spinning programme which three visually impaired athletes, including Tomattended along with other club members. This provided some important fitness trainingfor all of those involved, and was particularly suitable for those with a visual impairmentas it was both safe, accessible and part of the general club activities. Following this atandem pilot was identified who proceeded to train with Tom out on the open roads ofSligo in preparation for the Malin to Mizen challenge which is scheduled for June 2009.“Tandem cycling has given me, and I speak from the perspective of a visuallyimpaired person, an opportunity to actively participate in an outdoor sport which mightotherwise be denied to me. The provision of a tandem bike and pilot has enabled me toattain a high level of fitness which, for a guy in his mid 40's, is not a bad thing at all.Most significantly of all though, participating in the 2009 cycle from Mizen Head to MalinHead in aid of Irish Guide Dogs marked a major milestone in my life. I fully intend tocontinue tandem cycling and try to maintain a level of fitness which will enable me totake part in next year's Mizen to Malin also. My guide dog has given me back a lot of myindependence and cycling has allowed me to be an equal participant in an event whichis more than 430 miles long and takes 6 days to complete. Cycling from Mizen Head toMalin Head has allowed me to give something back, in a meaningful way, to Irish GuideDogs.”Tom Kavanagh – Visually Impaired Cyclist23

ChallengesWhile the SIDO project overall has been very successful, a number of key challengesemerged from the first year of the project. These challenges involve issues which theSIDO has identified in the course of his work, as well as issues which the disabilityorganisations and participants themselves have identified.VolunteersThe recruitment, training and retention of volunteers remains a significant challengedespite the significant progress made in recruiting volunteers in Year One. Due to thenature of the groups and individuals being targeted a large number of suitable andavailable volunteers are required to assist with the delivery of the many programmes andevents organised through the project. In addition people with an intellectual disability andphysical and sensory disabilities often need a personal assistant or one to one support inorder to access programmes successfully.StaffingA number of disability organisations and services have identified reduced staff numbersand restricted timetabling of staff members as a challenge in terms of supporting theirservice users participating in physical activity programmes. Going forward it will beimportant to liaise closely with the various disability services on their staffingarrangements in order to plan activities at times which can be accessed by serviceusers.TransportThis has regularly been cited as a key barrier to participation for all categories ofdisability. Access to transport provides a challenge to all types of disabilities and therural geographics of Sligo increases the issue. The SIDO will continue to work with localservices like the rural transport initiative and the IWA to address this issue.Club/Organisation supportAlthough great strides have been made in forging links with local sports clubs, disabilitysports organistions and National Governing Bodies of sport, increased club andorganistional support is essential to sustain, further develop and expand the SIDOprogramme.Information Provision/DatabasesThe co-ordination and dissemination of information in the areas of sports facilities,training, transport links, programming and links between disability groups and sportsproviders is vital to ensure the continued success of the programme. Maintaining strongand effective links with disability organistions and their service users remains a keycomponent in the sharing of information. However a gap still exits in identifying andsupplying information to individuals who do not avail of disability service and this remainsa difficult challenge for the future. Additionally, the recruitment of new individuals ontothe SIDO database remains a challenge as many people with a disability may be initiallyreluctant to disclose personal information.Future FundingSecuring the sustainability of the project through funding remains the greatest challengeto the future of the project. The CARA Centre are currently working closely with the IrishSports Council to try and access funding for the SIDO programme at National level.Locally, SSRP is exploring opportunities with its partner agencies for future projectfunding.24

The Way Forward1. Continue to increase awareness of existing SIDO programmes andpromote the participation of all people with disabilities in sport in Sligo.2. Ensure that the views and opinions of people with disabilities are takeninto account when developing all aspects of the project.3. Ensure greater use of targeted accessible facilities to further develop theInclusive Fitness Initiative.4. Maintain an up to date sports database of participants with a disability inSligo.5. Promote greater co-ordination between disability services, health serviceproviders, sports clubs and existing transport schemes for people withdisabilities.6. Ensure the continued provision of education/training and awareness toclubs and groups committed to providing sports and active recreationalactivities to people with disabilities.7. Provide additional support to current sports clubs targeting individuals witha disability through the development of sports inclusion policies.8. Continue to develop a comprehensive database of suitable and availablevolunteers to help with the project.25

Contact DetailsAnyone interested in finding out more about the Sports InclusionDisability Project or agencies seeking support in the provision ofdisability sport and active recreation can contact:Shane HayesSports Inclusion Disability OfficerSligo Sport and Recreation PartnershipVEC OfficesRiversideSligoE-mail:Web:Tele: 071 91 61511Fax: 071 91 43093shane@sligosportandrecreation.iewww.sligosportandrecreation.ie26