Acknowledgements Rowing Victoria acknowledges the support and assistance from the many people and organisations involved in the resourcing and production of this Oars For All – Inclusive Participation Manual Contributors: Paul Dunn (professional writer) , Ross Paul (Rowing Victoria) Editors: Ross Paul (Rowing Victoria) Sources: Adaptive Rowing Manual (Rowing Canada Aviron), Expanding Your Sport and Recreation Markets (Department of Sport & Recreation WA), Give it a Go: Including People with Disabilities in Sport and Physical Activity (Australian Sports Commission), Go Rowing Instructors Guide (Rowing Australia), Learn To Row Coach Program (Rowing Australia) Support: Access Unlimited, Active Oceans, Albert Park South Melbourne Rowing Club, Blind Sports Victoria, City of Port Phillip, City of Stonnington, Deaf Sport and Recreation Victoria Department of Human Services, Joint Councils – Access for All Abilities, MetroAccess, Powerhouse Rowing Club, Rowing School Victoria, Sport & Recreation Victoria, VicHealth, Victorian Sport and Recreation Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability, Vision Australia Rowing Victoria Inc. Suite 13, 20 Commercial Rd Melbourne, VIC, 3004 t: 03 9820 8888 f: 03 9820 4888 [email protected] Page | 2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4 1.1. Sport & Recreation .................................................................................................................. 4 1.2. Club Benefits ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.3. Gathering Information and Ideas ............................................................................................ 5 1.4. Club Readiness - conduct an initial access assessment ........................................................ 5 1.5. Give People a Taste of Club Life ............................................................................................ 6 1.6. Club Considerations ................................................................................................................ 7 1.7. Coaching and Orientation ....................................................................................................... 7 1.8. Medical Considerations ........................................................................................................... 8 1.9. General Tips ............................................................................................................................ 8 1.10. Key Contacts (agencies) ..................................................................................................... 8 2. Intellectual Disability ................................................................................................. 10 2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 10 2.2. Club Considerations .............................................................................................................. 10 2.3. Coaching Tips ....................................................................................................................... 10 2.4. Key Contacts (agencies) ....................................................................................................... 11 3. Sensory – Deaf / Hard of Hearing .............................................................................. 12 3.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 12 3.2. Club Considerations .............................................................................................................. 12 3.3. Coaching Tips ....................................................................................................................... 12 3.4. Key Signs and Signals .......................................................................................................... 13 3.5. Key Contacts (agencies) ....................................................................................................... 15 4. Sensory - Vision Impaired ......................................................................................... 16 4.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 16 4.2. Club Considerations .............................................................................................................. 16 4.3. Coaching Tips ....................................................................................................................... 18 4.4. Key Contacts (agencies) ....................................................................................................... 19 5. Glossary of Terms ..................................................................................................... 20 6. Equipment .................................................................................................................. 21 6.1. Areas of a Sweep Boat ......................................................................................................... 21 6.2. Parts of a Sweep Boat .......................................................................................................... 22 7. Appendix 1 – Key Signs and Signals for Deaf / HOH Participants ......................... 23 8. Appendix 2: Additional Images ................................................................................. 29 9. References & Bibliography ....................................................................................... 33 Page | 3 1. Introduction Rowing Victoria’s Oars for All – Inclusive Participation program aims to make rowing a sport that is more inclusive and accessible to all people within their local community. The focus of this initiative is to break down the barriers to participation. As such this Manual has been designed to assist and develop a rowing club’s knowledge so that it may involve people or develop programs for those that may have been disadvantaged in club activities and events in the past. Many new members will step straight in to the club and the club’s activities. However, this manual outlines some key points which may be useful for clubs seeking further advice. Information in this manual has been gathered from the evaluation of various Oars for All programs and initiatives, and a range of other resources including the Adaptive Rowing Manual (Rowing Canada Aviron) and Go Rowing Instructors Guide Module One (Rowing Australia). This, the second edition, has been released as a fluid document. Additions and amendments to this document can be expected in the future as Rowing Victoria furthers its knowledge in this area. Remember to be flexible, have fun and if in doubt, ask. 1.1. Sport & Recreation The opportunity to participate in sport and recreation can tremendously benefit a person’s physical, mental and social wellbeing. Rowing is particularly suited to many disadvantaged groups as it is a low impact, whole body, non-contact, team-based sport. Like any potential new member of a rowing club, disadvantaged people may choose to get involved in rowing for a number of reasons including: - health and physical fitness - opportunities for friendship and social connections - a chance to develop new skills - being involved in competition - having fun 1.2. Club Benefits There are many benefits to clubs being more inclusive and encouraging a greater diversity in their membership group. Reasons may include: • Greater diversity of membership which can bring alternative and progressive new ideas • The ability to offer opportunities for membership to a broader range of people from within your local community • Increased membership • Create opportunities for additional fundraising/donations • Potential for Paralympic representation from within the club • Acquire additional equipment to supplement the club’s fleet • Media attention may generate interest and additional memberships for the club • More people to share the responsibility for running the club Page | 4 1.3. Gathering Information and Ideas It can be useful to make contact with other clubs that have successfully involved people from disadvantaged backgrounds in their activities. Don’t just restrict your search to rowing clubs. Ask the relevant disability sport organisation or your local Access for All Abilities provider about other sporting clubs, some may have integrated people successfully in their activities. See if you can arrange to talk to them about what has worked previously. Case Study 1 - The Warrnambool Nestle Rowing Club One club in Victoria that has developed successful rowing opportunities for people with a disability is the Nestle Rowing Club in Warrnambool, which is also part of the award winning Active Ocean program (www.mpower.org.au/downloads). Active Oceans commenced in 2002 as a joint initiative between South West Sports Assembly, Mpower (a local disability organisation) and the RuralAccess program in South West Victoria with the aim of involving people with disabilities in coastal activities. Active Oceans works across five municipalities – the City of Warrnambool, and the Shires of Moyne, Glenelg, Southern Grampians and Corangamite. As part of Active Oceans, the Nestle Rowing Club has included a number of people with a disability