Chapter 4 Notes - CWSN

Physical Education and Sports for CWSN (Children With

Special Needs - Divyaang)

Syllabus
● Organizations promoting Disability Sports (Special Olympics; Paralympics; Deaflympics)
● Advantages of Physical Activities for children with special needs.
● Strategies to make Physical Activities assessable for children with special needs.

In today's modern world every Children With Special Needs has the right to participate in
events and programmes related to physical education and sports. Sports for the divyaang
are played by individuals with a disability. Sports provide many ample opportunities to the
divyaangs to lead a fruitful and energetic life.

Organizations promoting Disability Sports

There are many organizations that promote and support disability sports, both at the local
and international levels.

1. International Paralympic Committee (IPC): The IPC is the global governing body of the
Paralympic Movement and is responsible for organizing the Paralympic Games and
promoting disability sports worldwide.

2. Special Olympics: Special Olympics is a global organization that provides year-round

sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

3. Disabled Sports USA: Disabled Sports USA is a nonprofit organization that provides
adaptive sports opportunities for people with disabilities, including veterans and children.

4. Wheelchair Sports Federation: The Wheelchair Sports Federation is a New York-based

organization that promotes wheelchair sports and provides programs and services for
athletes with disabilities.

5. Challenged Athletes Foundation: The Challenged Athletes Foundation is a nonprofit

organization that provides grants, equipment, and other support to athletes with physical
disabilities.
6. International Wheelchair Basketball Federation: The International Wheelchair
Basketball Federation is the global governing body of wheelchair basketball and promotes
the development and growth of the sport worldwide.

7. International Blind Sports Federation: The International Blind Sports Federation is the
global governing body of sports for the visually impaired and promotes the development of
sports and activities for visually impaired athletes.

These organizations provide opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in

sports and compete at the highest levels. They also work to raise awareness of disability
sports and promote inclusion and diversity in sports.
Special Olympics

Special Olympics is a global organization that promotes sports and athletic competition for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization was founded in 1968 and
now operates in more than 190 countries. Special Olympics provides year-round sports
training and competition in a variety of sports, including track and field, swimming,
basketball, soccer, and gymnastics, among others.

In addition to providing sports opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities, Special
Olympics also aims to raise awareness and promote inclusion and acceptance of people
with disabilities. The organization works with schools, communities, and governments to
promote health, education, and social inclusion for people with disabilities.

Special Olympics also hosts global events, including the Special Olympics World Games,
which bring together athletes from around the world to compete in a variety of sports. These
events help to showcase the abilities and talents of athletes with intellectual disabilities and
promote a more inclusive and accepting society.

Paralympics

The Paralympic Games is a global multi-sport event designed for athletes with physical,
intellectual, and visual impairments.

The event features a variety of sports, including athletics, swimming, cycling, wheelchair
basketball, and more.

Athletes are categorized based on their level of impairment to ensure fair competition.
The primary goal of the Paralympic Games is to promote social inclusion and break down
stereotypes and stigma surrounding disability.

The event encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in sports and pursue
physical activity, regardless of their level of impairment.

Through the Paralympic Games, athletes with disabilities have the opportunity to showcase
their talents and abilities, and to inspire others to do the same.

The Paralympic Games have helped to shift attitudes towards people with disabilities and
promote a more inclusive society.

The event has challenged stereotypes and shattered misconceptions about what individuals
with disabilities can achieve.

The Paralympic Games have raised awareness and increased opportunities for individuals
with disabilities to participate in sports and physical activity.

The event helps to promote better health and overall wellbeing for individuals with
disabilities.

Deaflympics
Deaflympics is a multi-sport event that is specifically designed for athletes who are deaf or
hard of hearing. The event features a variety of sports, including athletics, swimming,
basketball, football, and more. The first Deaflympics was held in 1924 in Paris, France, and
since then, the event has grown to become a global event, attracting athletes from all
around the world.

The primary goal of the Deaflympics is to provide a platform for athletes who are deaf or
hard of hearing to showcase their talents and abilities in sports, and to promote social
inclusion and equality for people with hearing disabilities. Through the event, athletes have
the opportunity to compete at the highest level and to connect with others who share similar
experiences.

One of the unique aspects of the Deaflympics is the use of sign language in communication.
Sign language is used during the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as during the
events themselves, allowing for greater accessibility and inclusion for athletes who are deaf
or hard of hearing.
The event also helps to promote better health and overall wellbeing for individuals who are
deaf or hard of hearing. Participation in sports and physical activity can help to improve
cardiovascular health, increase strength and flexibility, and boost mental health and
wellbeing.

In addition to promoting physical activity and social inclusion, the Deaflympics have helped
to raise awareness and promote a greater understanding of the needs and abilities of
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The event has challenged stereotypes and
misconceptions about individuals with hearing disabilities, and has helped to create a more
inclusive society for all.

Advantages of Physical Activities for children with special needs.

Physical activities and exercise play an essential role in the development of children with special
needs. Here are some advantages of physical activities for children with special needs:

Improved motor skills: Physical activities such as running, jumping, crawling, and climbing can
help children with special needs develop their gross motor skills and improve their balance and
coordination.

Better social skills: Participating in physical activities and sports can help children with special
needs develop better social skills, including communication, teamwork, and cooperation.

Increased self-confidence: Regular physical activity can help children with special needs
develop a sense of self-confidence and self-esteem, which can help them feel more confident in
their abilities.

Better overall health: Physical activity can help improve cardiovascular health, strength,
flexibility, and endurance, which can help children with special needs stay healthy and active.

Improved mood and behavior: Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve
mood, and reduce disruptive behavior in children with special needs.

Enhanced cognitive function: Physical activity can help improve cognitive function, including
attention, memory, and problem-solving skills.

Better sleep: Regular physical activity can help improve sleep quality and duration, which is
important for children with special needs who may struggle with sleep.

It is important to note that some children with special needs may have physical limitations or
medical conditions that make certain activities unsafe or inappropriate. It is essential to consult
with a healthcare professional before starting any new physical activity or exercise program.
Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that physical activities are age-appropriate, enjoyable, and
adapted to the child's needs and abilities.

Strategies to Make Physical Activities Accessible for Children

with Special Need

The various strategies or ways by which physical activities can be made accessible for
children with special needs are as follows

1. Inclusive Classrooms: It means the development of education laws in such a way that
children with special needs get education within the normal classrooms along with other
children so that they are well accepted in society.
2. Assistive Technology: It refers to creating devices, tools or equipment that help children
with special needs to participate in learning activities like bigger balls, balls with bells, balls
attached to strings to bring it back to the students etc.
3. Adaptive Physical Education: Depending on a student’s disability, a separate, adaptive
class or modifications within a game, changing the rules of the game or sport to some
extent can help the students in a big way.
4. Creating Specific Environment: Students with special needs can be provided with
specific play area with special requirements as needed by them. Loud music, glaring lights
often cannot be tolerated by these children, so a lot of natural lighting should be there.
5. Positive Behaviour In physical education classes, teachers should show positive
behaviour and healthy interactions and prevent negative behaviours. The method is to
“Prevent, Teach, Reinforce”. This means class material taught through positive interactions,
a lesson reinforced by referring back to behavioural expectations and evaluating progress.
6. Focus on Creative Games Instead of competitive games and physical activities, the
strategy is to develop creative games. This helps in team building and cooperation and
prevents unnecessary competition and boosts the confidence of these children.
7. Accommodations and Modification Since the individual needs of the children with
special needs are different. It is essential for the teachers to modify the teaching strategies
in order to accommodate the children with disabilities. Therefore constant modification and
accommodation are required.
8. Professional Courses Developing more professional courses and teacher certification
programs for teaching physical education to children with special needs is essential to
popularise the adaptive physical education programme.