Creating an Inclusive Training Session for Athletes with a Disability
As part of your Run NI Group, you will have individuals of different abilities, including athletes with visual or hearing impairments, learning difficulties, physical impairment, ambulant athletes or those who require a wheelchair.
As a Run NI group, we aim to support you to create an inclusive environment for athletes of all abilities. It is best practice to first find out more about an athletes’ ability level before welcoming them to the group, as this will gives you a better understanding of how you can adjust your session to suit their ability level.
Below are some questions to consider when adapting your training sessions, using the STEP method:
SPACE
Where is the activity taking place? Ensure the meeting point is accessible to all and routes can be formed from there.
Can the size be altered? Can the distance be changed? Shorten or lengthen the route, make sure there’s space for a wheelchair or for a guide runner to be alongside.
What is the surface like? Paths and roads are better for wheelchair users. Uneven ground may be a hazard for someone with a visual impairment.
TASK
What is the purpose of the activity? Could you achieve this in a different way, use a looped route rather than a long route for endurance.
Could you change the time or distance of the task? Set achievable goals for the individual’s ability.
Are the instructions clear and simple? Break down instructions into small steps and offer reassurance, particularly for individuals with a learning disability.
EQUIPMENT
Does an individual need specialised equipment? They may use a wheelchair or have hearing aids that require you to wear a mic.
Are you using cones as markers? Make sure these are clear and bright for someone with a visual impairment.
Do you use whistles or your voice for instruction? Use a whiteboard with written instruction or hand signals for someone with a hearing impairment.
PEOPLE
Who is involved in the activity? A wheelchair user in a large group could be a hazard, smaller groups with a staggered start could be safer.
Can someone assist? You might have a willing runner who could become a buddy. They could offer further instructions, encouragement, confidence.
Do you need a guide runner? Someone with a visual impairment may need a guide, this could be another runner or a volunteer.
Perhaps the participant could be encouraged to bring a friend or member of the family initially to support with their individual needs if needed.
These considerations are just some examples of adaptations that could be made to your session plans, and there are many other possibilities. The most important thing to remember is to keep communicating with your athletes and ask them how best you can support them in their training.
Through Athletics NI Para Athletics programme we aim to support para athletics progress through the Athlete Development Pathway. You can find out more about the Para Athletics programme here: https://athleticsni.org/Athletes/Para-Athletes
There are also a number of courses that you can take to help develop your skills as a Run Leader:
Disability Inclusion Course
The course is suitable for anyone wishing to improve their understanding of Disability Inclusion and to support athletes with disabilities in their group.
It provides knowledge and understanding to overcome barriers to participation as well as ensuring that training sessions are inclusive for everyone.
The module was designed by UKA and the Home Country Athletics Federations, and is an online course which can take up to 2 hours to complete. The course can be found here: https://www.athleticshub.co.uk/public/course-list/uka?what=Disability%20Inclusion%20Training
Sight Loss Awareness and Guide Running Workshop
This is an online workshop which enables leaders, coaches and volunteers to support visually impaired athletes by providing a better understanding of their needs.
The course provides information on:
· types of visual impairment and common eye conditions
· appropriate behaviour and terminology
· making sessions VI friendly
· guide running safety tips
· guide running practical sessions
The course is free, and can be found here: https://britishblindsport.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/VisuallyImpairedFriendlyAthletics.pdf