SPORT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
READY and ABLE PROGRAM
TTASPE has taken on the responsibility to promote the ideals of 'Sport for all' in Trinidad and the Caribbean through our Sports for persons with disabilities project.
The concept of sport for all while universal in nature is slowly catching on in the Caribbean. Through the efforts of the Australian Caribbean Community Sport Development program (ACCSDP) this is changing.
Using TTASPE’s Ready & Able project as its template, persons with disabilities around the Caribbean are having more opportunities to participate in meaningful sport activities. This program seeks to equip coaches, sport administrators and other persons in sport with the philosophy and practical skills needed to include PWD’s in their sport.
The program is built on the following principles:
- Participation
- To provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in a sustainable program of adapted sport and physical education in the region
- Inclusion
- To provide opportunities for persons with disabilities and able-bodied persons to participate in adapted physical education and sport activities
- Celebration
- To celebrate the spirit of the Caribbean through an Inclusive Sports Festival.
Background
For the past 5 years through the Ready & Able program, TTASPE has conducted over 20 workshops with more than 300 coaches in the Caribbean under the Australian Caribbean Community Sport Development Program. These workshops focused on providing participants with the requisite tools and ability to include persons with disabilities into their mainstream sporting programs.
These workshops have yielded National Sport for Persons with Disabilities Festivals in at least 5 territories of the English speaking Caribbean.
In 2007, TTASPE extended its work with persons with disabilities by focusing its efforts in a more sport specific manner. As Trinidad hosted the 2007 Cricket World Cup, TTASPE took this opportunity to showcase cricket and develop a cricket program for persons with disabilities. Through this program, persons with a wide range of disabilities were able to learn the skills of cricket and a team of athletes were given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills during half-time of the India vs. Bangladesh match.
Twenty coaches took part in training workshops where they learned how to welcome persons with disabilities into their cricket clubs and coach persons with disabilities in the sport of cricket.
As we move through 2008, TTASPE is continuing with its target sporting programs and focusing its attention towards martial arts with archery and swimming to follow. In focusing its efforts on one sport at a time it gives more time and resources for curriculum development, coach training and ultimately long term sustainability of the program.
Program Objectives
1) To give persons with a disability opportunities to engage in physical activity and sport for the benefits of health and fitness.
2) To give persons with a disability a safe and healthy environment where they are able to learn new skills and socialize.
3) To provide a pathway for persons with disabilities to work towards participating in Paralympic and Special Olympic level competition.
4) To raise community awareness about physical activity participation, inclusion and persons with disabilities.
5) To provide information, support and training for individuals and institutions that offer physical activity programs in the community so they can be better equipped to support the participation of persons with disabilities in an inclusive environment.
Are you a person with a disability? Want to get involved in sports?
The following programs are being offered/being set to launch:
- Multisport Program – Chauganas Indoor facility (program set to launch Sept 2009)
- Learning to Swim - Ministry of Sporty Pools (programs set to launch Sept 2009)
- Table Tennis - Tuesdays and Thursday at Paralympic Office from 5-7pm
- Day Programs - Cheshire Home San Fernando
For more program information please contact Ricky at the Paralympic Office:
Address: 13A Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
Phone Number: (868) 627-5744 or 624-6060
E-mail: p_organisation@yahoo.com
Or
Cheshire Home at 652-2274
The Paralympic Organisation of Trinidad & Tobago will be re-launching as the Trinidad & Tobago Paralympic Committee … watch out for the Re-branding campaign and the NEW LOGO!!!!