Resources for Coaches
By registering on the Sports Coach UK coaches can access a wide range of articles, fact sheets and resources to develop their knowledge and understanding of working with disabled athletes.
Quick Guide to Inclusive Coaching
Disability Top Tips
Disability Contacts
The documents below give a quick guide to working with athletes with specific disabilities. However, coaches please keep in mind that within each of these conditions is a broad spectrum of ability and different individuals may well be affected in very differing ways. Never be frightened to ask a participant what they can/cannot do and to experiment with different ways of making activity accessible for them.
ADHD Factsheet
Aspergers Syndrome Factsheet
Autism Factsheet
Cerebral Palsy Factsheet
Dwarf Conditions Factsheet
Hearing Impairment Factsheet
Learning Disability Factsheet
Manual Wheelchair User Factsheet
Visual Impairment Factsheet
There are also a number of coach and volunteer development workshops and opportunities available for coaches and volunteers, more information can be found on the Coach and Volunteer Education webpage.
Club Development Resources
Canoe England has developed an accreditation bolt on to Top Club for clubs providing quality activity for their disabled members, for further information visit the Paddle-Ability Top Club page.
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) have developed an Inclusion Hub. This resource supports clubs by taking the through their current provision step by step, giving supportive and useful ideas on how they can develop their current practice to develop more inclusive practice. The resources section of the EFDS website also contains a wealth of information and insight for those working with disabled people.
Whilst most clubs have a robust Safeguarding policy for children and young people these do not necessarily also consider the needs of vulnerable adults. The Sport and Recreation Alliance website contains a range of guidance for those developing policies for working with vulnerable adults.
Case Studies
Canoe England has drawn together a range of case studies about how a range of people with differing disabilities have accessed Paddlesport activity. If you feel that you have a project or programme that may be of interest to other clubs or centres email [email protected].
Aiming High for Disabled Children
Devizes to Honey Street Special Olympics Sponsored Paddle
GB Paracanoe Team train at CCDP Funded facility
Gutless Kayaking
Surrey Canoe Club Paddle-Ability Sessions
Carol Warren