Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global organization that promotes sports and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization was founded in 1968 and now operates in more than 190 countries. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of sports, including track and field, swimming, basketball, soccer, and gymnastics, among others.
In addition to providing sports opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics also aims to raise awareness and promote inclusion and acceptance of people with disabilities. The organization works with schools, communities, and governments to promote health, education, and social inclusion for people with disabilities.
Special Olympics also hosts global events, including the Special Olympics World Games, which bring together athletes from around the world to compete in a variety of sports. These events help to showcase the abilities and talents of athletes with intellectual disabilities and promote a more inclusive and accepting society.
Paralympics
- The Paralympic Games is a global multi-sport event designed for athletes with physical, intellectual, and visual impairments.
- The event features a variety of sports, including athletics, swimming, cycling, wheelchair basketball, and more.
- Athletes are categorized based on their level of impairment to ensure fair competition.
- The primary goal of the Paralympic Games is to promote social inclusion and break down stereotypes and stigma surrounding disability.
- The event encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in sports and pursue physical activity, regardless of their level of impairment.
- Through the Paralympic Games, athletes with disabilities have the opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities, and to inspire others to do the same.
- The Paralympic Games have helped to shift attitudes towards people with disabilities and promote a more inclusive society.
- The event has challenged stereotypes and shattered misconceptions about what individuals with disabilities can achieve.
- The Paralympic Games have raised awareness and increased opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports and physical activity.
- The event helps to promote better health and overall wellbeing for individuals with disabilities.
Deaflympics
Deaflympics is a multi-sport event that is specifically designed for athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing. The event features a variety of sports, including athletics, swimming, basketball, football, and more. The first Deaflympics was held in 1924 in Paris, France, and since then, the event has grown to become a global event, attracting athletes from all around the world.
The primary goal of the Deaflympics is to provide a platform for athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing to showcase their talents and abilities in sports, and to promote social inclusion and equality for people with hearing disabilities. Through the event, athletes have the opportunity to compete at the highest level and to connect with others who share similar experiences.
One of the unique aspects of the Deaflympics is the use of sign language in communication. Sign language is used during the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as during the events themselves, allowing for greater accessibility and inclusion for athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The event also helps to promote better health and overall wellbeing for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Participation in sports and physical activity can help to improve cardiovascular health, increase strength and flexibility, and boost mental health and wellbeing.
In addition to promoting physical activity and social inclusion, the Deaflympics have helped to raise awareness and promote a greater understanding of the needs and abilities of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The event has challenged stereotypes and misconceptions about individuals with hearing disabilities, and has helped to create a more inclusive society for all.
Advantages of Physical Activities for children with special needs.
Physical activities and exercise play an essential role in the development of children with special needs. Here are some advantages of physical activities for children with special needs:
Improved motor skills: Physical activities such as running, jumping, crawling, and climbing can help children with special needs develop their gross motor skills and improve their balance and coordination.
Better social skills: Participating in physical activities and sports can help children with special needs develop better social skills, including communication, teamwork, and cooperation.
Increased self-confidence: Regular physical activity can help children with special needs develop a sense of self-confidence and self-esteem, which can help them feel more confident in their abilities.
Better overall health: Physical activity can help improve cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and endurance, which can help children with special needs stay healthy and active.
Improved mood and behavior: Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and reduce disruptive behavior in children with special needs.
Enhanced cognitive function: Physical activity can help improve cognitive function, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Better sleep: Regular physical activity can help improve sleep quality and duration, which is important for children with special needs who may struggle with sleep.
It is important to note that some children with special needs may have physical limitations or medical conditions that make certain activities unsafe or inappropriate. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new physical activity or exercise program. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that physical activities are age-appropriate, enjoyable, and adapted to the child's needs and abilities.
Strategies to Make Physical Activities Accessible for Children with Special Need
The various strategies or ways by which physical activities can be made accessible for children with special needs are as follows
1. Inclusive Classrooms: It means the development of education laws in such a way that children with special needs get education within the normal classrooms along with other children so that they are well accepted in society.
2. Assistive Technology: It refers to creating devices, tools or equipment that help children with special needs to participate in learning activities like bigger balls, balls with bells, balls attached to strings to bring it back to the students etc.
3. Adaptive Physical Education: Depending on a student’s disability, a separate, adaptive class or modifications within a game, changing the rules of the game or sport to some extent can help the students in a big way.
4. Creating Specific Environment: Students with special needs can be provided with specific play area with special requirements as needed by them. Loud music, glaring lights often cannot be tolerated by these children, so a lot of natural lighting should be there.
5. Positive Behaviour In physical education classes, teachers should show positive behaviour and healthy interactions and prevent negative behaviours. The method is to “Prevent, Teach, Reinforce”. This means class material taught through positive interactions, a lesson reinforced by referring back to behavioural expectations and evaluating progress.
6. Focus on Creative Games Instead of competitive games and physical activities, the strategy is to develop creative games. This helps in team building and cooperation and prevents unnecessary competition and boosts the confidence of these children.
7. Accommodations and Modification Since the individual needs of the children with special needs are different. It is essential for the teachers to modify the teaching strategies in order to accommodate the children with disabilities. Therefore constant modification and accommodation are required.
8. Professional Courses Developing more professional courses and teacher certification programs for teaching physical education to children with special needs is essential to popularise the adaptive physical education programme.