The Paralympic FUNdamentals Physical Literacy Resource aims to help educators teach fundamental movement skills and enable children of all abilities to play sports together at school.

The programme has been developed in partnership with Physical and Health Education Canada and representatives from the sports of boccia, sitting volleyball, goalball and athletics.

Lessons and activity plans are designed to ensure all children, regardless of ability, are provided with access to quality physical education and sport opportunities, while supporting teachers with a variety of assessment options and links to provincial curricula.

The resource also supports families in encouraging the further development of their children by providing a list of activities that everyone can take part in at home.

"There's a great deal of research telling us that many Canadians with a disability are unfortunately not active in sports, and so we are leveraging this new initiative so that children of all abilities can enjoy the benefits of physical activity," said Karen O'Neill, chief executive of the CPC.

"Working closely with our partners, the Canadian Paralympic Committee is committed to helping build a strong sport system in Canada that is inclusive of people with a disability."

The programme has been co-authored by former Para-rowing World Championship gold medallist Victoria Nolan, who now works as a teacher herself.

Former Paralympic rower Victoria Nolan (second from right) helped to develop the FUNdamentals Physical Literacy Resource in Canada ©Bongarts/Getty Images



"This resource is especially meaningful to me because I was not active in sport until I was 30 years old," said Nolan, who competed at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games before becoming world champion in the LTA4+ class at Lake Karapiro, New Zealand in 2010.

"That's when I discovered Para-sport and my whole life changed.

"I went from lacking the opportunity to be active to becoming a world champion and Paralympian.

"With this resource, not only will we be able to help children with a disability realise their potential in sport, but we can also teach able-bodied children how to play Para-sports.

"As a teacher, I appreciate the way this resource puts all students at a level playing field and how much students must rely on cooperation and teamwork.

"This resource not only fulfils the physical education requirements of the curriculum, but also builds a sense of community within classes.

"I am really excited to be able to share these ideas across the country."

The Paralympic FUNdamentals resource curriculum was piloted last year in 42 elementary schools in seven provinces, involving 42 teachers and 1,410 students in Grades 2 to 6.

It is now being rolled out nationwide with around 200 individuals and organisations already pre-registered for the course.

"We believe this is a watershed moment for Para-sport in Canada and internationally, one which will pay dividends for Canadian Paralympic aspirations in the future," added O'Neill.

"An additional goal of the resource is to help increase participation in organised sport and build a stronger base for athletes who aim at becoming the next generation of Canadian Paralympians, as we look beyond Rio 2016 to future Paralympic Games."

For more information and to register for the Paralympic FUNdamentals Physical Literacy Resource, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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