In 2006 when the Dormant Accounts fund earmarked €2 million nationally for projects to address the imbalance in opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport, physical activity and physical education. The Irish Sports Council in collaboration with Pat Flanagan (Institute of Technology Tralee) and the network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSP) identified the need to appoint dedicated personnel at county level to address this gap in provision.
The Irish Sports Council recognises the local sports partnerships as an excellent mechanism for the delivery of sport and physical activity at local level. The partnerships main aim is to increase participation in sport and physical activity for all. Working within this structure, the Sports Inclusion Disability Officers role is focused solely on supporting and increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport and physical activity.
The aim of the Sports Inclusion Disability Programme is to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to participate both in mainstream activities and specific clubs and sports for people with disabilities. During the period of December 2007 and March 2008, 21 Sports Inclusion Disability Officers commenced a 2 year contract within 20 of the 32 partnerships.
During the period of 2008-2010, the Sports Inclusion Disability Programme was guided by the National Objectives outlined by the CARA APA Centre. With the new funding stream under the Irish Sports Council, the Sports Inclusion Disabilty Programme is coordinated by the ISC with guidance from a newly formed National Sports Inclusion Disability Programme steering committee. The Sports Inclusion Disabilty Programme is faciltated and supported by the National CARA Apdated Physical Activity Centre based at IT Tralee. There are currently 16 Local Sports Partnerships with dedicated Sports Inclusion Disability Officers and in addition all Local Sports Partnership are encouraged to adopt elements of the National Objectives set ou by the ISC Sports Inclusion Disability Officet Steering Committee and the CARA National APA Centre.
Sports Inclusion Disability Programme Objectives include:
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Establish a disability sports forum encouraging cooperation and collaboration with disability organisations, sports organisations, volunteer organisations and other relevant key stakeholders that would strategically steer the developments of the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer.
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Link with local disability organisations; assess current needs and possible developments that may facilitate increased participation both within the disability service and additionally encouraging the participation of members within the community clubs/sessions.
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Support and advise existing clubs/sessions that provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate and encourage inclusion within all sport and physical activity clubs, sessions and programmes.
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Establish new and sustainable sport/physical activity clubs/sessions
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Communicate with all relevant disability sports organisations (e.g. Special Olympics, Paralympic Council of Ireland and its affiliates Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland, Irish Blind Sport, IWASport Irish Deaf Sport) to ensure awareness of all clubs/sessions at a local level regarding their associated sports.
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Provide pathways to performance in the form of support and information to athletes with disabilities whose aim is to achieve their optimum level of performance in sports participation.
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Provide support, recommendations and promote accessibility within leisure centres and all sports and physical activity facilities ensuring all activities, programmes, events and sessions are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
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Develop, facilitate and promote training and education courses/workshops to coaches, instructors, teachers and other professionals/volunteers working in the area of sport and physical activity provision for people with disabilities.
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Promote and support individuals with disabilities to become coaches, instructors and volunteers within local developments.
