Page 50 - SEN106 SEN Magazine May-June 2020
P. 50

Louis Wickett-Padgham   looks at what needs to be done to enable   children with SEN and disabilities to benefit from physical activity  Making sport   accessible to all  E  very child and young person, no matter how complex   their disabilities, deserves the right to enjoy a physically   active life. Sport and physical activity play a huge role   in keeping people fit and healthy, supporting social   inclusion and building confidence through learning new skills   and making friends.   There are so many physical, mental and social benefits to   being active but, according to the Sport England’s Active   Lives Children and Young People Survey 2018/19, disabled   children and young people are more likely to be less active than   non-disabled children. The study also showed that disabled   people are more likely to have poorer wellbeing and experience   loneliness.  What are the barriers to sport    and physical activity?  There are many reasons why those with SEN and disabilities   do not have equal access to sport and physical activity:   activities may not be inclusive; sports and fitness venues can   be inaccessible to them; provision is often limited in many   areas; staff and organisers can lack confidence in, and training   on, how to deliver inclusive activities; and perceptions about   the capabilities of children and young people with SEN are    often inaccurate.  The sport and physical activity sector has a wider role to play   in ensuring that children and young people with SEN are not   left out. Whatever the barriers may be, it’s important to work   towards breaking them down and providing environments   where all children have the time, space and confidence to be   active in a way that suits them.  What are the benefits?  Aside from the obvious benefits of improving physical fitness   and health, sport and physical activity can provide opportunities   for children and young people with SEN and disabilities to be   active, while promoting greater independence. Involvement in   sport can be crucial in tackling isolation and loneliness, which   is particularly important given that half of disabled people   say they are lonely. In addition, an activity such as yoga, for   example, can help to make everyday tasks more manageable   by improving strength, balance and mobility.  Creating sports opportunities for children and young people   with SEN and disabilities doesn’t just help the individuals   themselves but has many other far-reaching benefits. It can help   to influence perceptions about what is possible for disabled   Involvement in sport can be   crucial in tackling isolation    and loneliness  SEN  106  senmagazine.co.uk  50  Sport


































































































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