During my time setting up deaf hockey I wanted to know how and when other coaches get their first experiences of looking at how to provide, support and coach those that have a “disability”.
I call it “disability” as it is described as a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities. Which is also a disadvantage or a handicap. The disabled people I have meet, coached and worked with would say that it has not been a disadvantage. In fact, it has given them opportunities that they wouldn’t have had before. Such as playing for England or coaching at an elite level.
Earlier this year the English Federation of Disability Sport conducted a research project to explore young disabled people’s experiences of sport and physical activity, during their transition from education to adulthood. Whilst conducting this research it became apparent that a barrier stopping disability participation in sport was that coaches may not always be aware of a persons needs or know how to adapt activities to facilitate them taking part.
The disadvantages, limits or handicaps experienced by those with disabilities when trying to access sport and physical activities come from how we as coaches put together our sessions. During the coaches development, across level 1 and 2 courses, there is very little to build their confidence to adapt their sessions for those with disabilities. They cover how to adapt practise for grassroots level through to performance coaching. Is looking at how to modify drills to allow all ‘beginners’ access enough?
If more grassroots coaches had guidance on coaching those who have a visual or learning needs, for example, would this give them confidence to cater for an athlete or player that comes to one of their sessions?
At a recent hockey tournament I was discussing with an assistant coach from a local club a child he 
supports who has Down Syndrome. The coach admitted that rather than have the child integrated in the main group of their peers they did a large amount of 1-2-1 work. The key reason being that the lead coach of the group didn’t know how to integrate them. An all to familiar story. We discussed different strategies on how the coach could facilitate the hockey player joining in with everyone else and still be supported. Small changes, such as coaching the whole group to use simple sign language would be key in both the coach and the players development.
Sports Coach UK do an effective communications course. I urge every coach to do this as this is a great way to learn how to impart your knowledge at all levels, especially to those who have a hearing impairment. However, could this be part of a National Governing Bodies level 2 course? This would help to ensure that every coach is more confident, assured and educated in being able to deliver a session that really does cater for all.
There are over 45,000 deaf children in the UK*, 1 in 30 people who have a sight loss** and over 350,000 people with learning disabilities***. With these figures it is odds on that a coach will come into contact with someone who is considered “disabled”.
Let’s stop the lack of coach education from being the barrier that stops disabled people from taking part in sport.
Figures from *Action on hearing, **RNIB and ***The NHS
Effective communication course
English Federation of Disability Sport
http://www.efds.co.uk/resources/research/4765_active_beyond_educatio
Action for hearing
https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/your-hearing/about-deafness-and-hearing-loss/statistics.aspx
RNIB
http://www.rnib.org.uk/knowledge-and-research-hub/key-information-and-statistics
The NHS
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Childrenwithalearningdisability/Pages/Whatislearningdisability.aspx
Bio: Wendy Russell is a Level 2 Hockey coach and PE teacher from the UK. When she was 13, Wendy was told she had arthritis in her hip and that she should give up the idea of being a PE Teacher and give up sport. However, after completed her school exams, she was more determined than ever to achieve her dream. Wendy is now a teacher and a Hockey coach at Brighton and Hove HC (UK) and has ambitions of making coaching her full time career.
