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An adaptive sports program in Queensland is encouraging students with disabilities to explore new opportunities.
Sporting Wheelies’ is recognised as a leader in the field of sport and healthy activity for people with a disability by national bodies such as Sport Australia and Paralympics Australia.
Raising the Bar is a school-based sports program run by Sporting Wheelies’. Designed for all students to gain awareness and understanding through hands-on experience, sessions feature inclusive sports like Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Goalball, and Boccia.
The sessions are taught by adults with disability or ‘Game Changers’.
According to the Department of Health and Welfare, 1 in 5 students with disability feel excluded in physical education.
Caroline Baird is a Game Changer with Sporting Wheelies.
Using her own experience of disability, Caroline is passionate about raising awareness of inclusive sports within schools to help students of all abilities engage in physical activity.
A purpose-designed inclusive program would’ve gone a long way in mitigating the isolation that comes along with being unable to participate in ‘traditional’ school sports
She hopes that with para sports, students will gain a greater understanding of disability and living with a disability.
“Exposing students to new and varied experiences expands their perception of the world, fostering empathy and inclusive thinking,” says Caroline.
Another Game Changer is Davin Bretherton, a former soldier who lost his leg in a training accident. As he went through rehab, he found sport to be a way of dealing with isolation and finding a sense of community.
Having represented Australia in seven different sports over the years, Davin says conversing with kids is “incredibly rewarding.”
He explains the program works closely with the school system, meeting the syllabuses and guidelines to provide teachers with valuable resources, training, and support.
We share the Department of Education’s commitment to ensuring every student with disability succeeds and reaches their full potential
“Ultimately, our goal is to provide students with a meaningful and enjoyable experience that raises awareness and understanding of the lives of people with a disability,” Davin says.
For more information on how your school can participate click here.