Helping People With A Disability To Access Sport And Physical Activity

Approximately 15% of the population have some form of disability which in the past has limited their access to sport and recreation programmes and facilities.  The Halberg Sport Opportunity programme aims to ensure that people with a disability receive equal opportunities to participate, enjoy and achieve in their choice of sport. The Halberg Sport Opportunity advisor at Sport Otago can assist teachers, parents and other exercise leaders with ideas for inclusion and integration, help identify activities which are suitable for all abilities, and provide funding advice to help children with a disability to access a range of sport and recreation options.

Aims And Objectives.

The role of the Halberg Sport Opportunity programme is to support people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilites and if focused on the following key areas:

1. To ensure Regional Sports Trusts, such as Sport Otago, have inclusive philosophies and programmes.

2. Working in conjunction with teachers and other staff to ensure that all children with a disability are included in school physical education and sport, and assisting schools to provide inter- and intra- school events for students with a disability.

3. Providing opportunites for people with a disability to enable them to become involved in community based sport and active recreation, and working with individuals on a one-to-one basis to develop a sporting pathway.

Sport Opportunity Advisor

The Sport Otago Halberg Sport Opportunity is Bridget Meyer.  You can contact her here.

The Halberg Trust Activity Fund

The Halberg Trust Activity Fund assists young people with a disability to access sport and active leisure.  The fund targets young people under the age of 20, and aims to cover some of the additional costs associated with getting active which are a direct result of an individual having a disability.  It assists with the costs of equipment and expenses that will enable a young person with a disability to participate with their peers, and develop a pathway to sport.  However costs that any child or family would have to cover, and activities that occur in a segregated environment, are not eligible for funding.  Examples of types of activities and equipment that have been funded by the Halberg Trust include:

• Swimming lessons.
• Specialised cycle helmets.
• Golf lessons.
• Gym instruction.
• Tricycles and custom made bikes.

For further information about the Hablerg Trust Activity Fund contact Bridget here.

Halberg Trust Links And Contacts

The following organisations may be useful for issues relating to physical activity and sport for people with a disability.