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THE
PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT 
by Kathy
Brinker (about
Kathy)
We are getting there…the Paralympic
Movement is continuing to grow. The
Paralympic Movement continues to improve
visibility and focus on sport and activity
for individuals with physical and visual
challenges. Para means "along side
of." Therefore it is fitting that
the Paralympics comes along side the
Olympics. It seems like a long time
ago now that we were searching the major
networks for Paralympic coverage from
2008 Beijing. We found very little on
TV, so we then turned to the internet
in order to find somewhat decent coverage
on streaming video on websites such
as www.usparalympics.org/
and www.paralympicsport.tv/.
We in Chicago are dreaming of a Paralympics
of our own in 2016 (http://www.chicago2016.org/
or http://www.worldsportchicago.org/)!
We are also dreaming of round the clock
coverage on major networks! Apparently
so are 69% of persons interviewed in
the UK who are also hoping that there
will be more
media coverage during the London
2012 Paralympics.
The Paralympics has a direct impact
on the individuals who watch it. It
appears to impart an understanding that
leading an active lifestyle is just
as valuable for individuals with disabilities,
as it is for other individuals, for
a multitude of reasons. The effects
of such programming are also beginning
to be felt by congress. We are beginning
to see activity guidelines for individuals
with disabilities embedded in major
documents. One such document is the
HHS physical activity guide. The U.S.
department of Health and Human Services
published the 2008
physical activity guidelines for Americans.
Specific recommendations from the department
include guidelines for individuals with
disabilities. The following are specific
guidelines from the 2008 activity guide:
Key Guidelines for Adults with
Disabilities (taken directly from 2008
activity guide)
- Adults with disabilities, who are
able to, should get at least 150 minutes
a week of moderate-intensity, or 75
minutes a week of vigorous-intensity
aerobic activity, or an equivalent
combination of moderate - and vigorous
- intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic
activity should be performed in episodes
of at least 10 minutes, and preferably,
it should be spread throughout the
week.
- Adults with disabilities, who are
able to, should also do muscle-strengthening
activities of moderate or high intensity
that involve all major muscle groups
on 2 or more days a week, as these
activities provide additional health
benefits.
- When adults with disabilities are
not able to meet the Guidelines, they
should engage in regular physical
activity according to their abilities,
and should avoid inactivity.
- Adults with disabilities should
consult their health-care provider
about the amounts and types of physical
activity.
Read the complete guideline at http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx
CHANGES
The Paralympic Movement also changes
cultural perspectives as to accessibility
guidelines. One example of this can
be found in China. The government recently
made the top of the Great Wall handicap
accessible by building
an elevator for handicapped individuals
participating in 2008
Special Olympics in Beijing.
Major legal cases sometimes change
social perceptions of the rights of
individuals with disabilities as well.
Wheelchair athletics have been under
close scrutiny over the last year and
half, as we all watched the Mcfadden
decision (a lawsuit resulting in
the decision to allow wheelchair athletes
to compete with their peers in high
school track and field in the state
of Maryland). We will be watching closely
over the next 3 years as Maryland faces
the realization of how that decision
will be implemented.
RESOURCES
So why is the Paralympic Movement so
important to physical education instructors?
Unlike their peers, individuals with
disabilities have limited availability
to watch their sports heroes. More and
more clubs and recreation departments
have athletics for individuals with
disabilities. However, athletes often
have to drive a distance to get to sport
specific events. However, being able
to go on websites and find streaming
videos allow both instructors and students
to find the latest training techniques,
rules, and modifications.
So what sports are your students
interested in? Do you need to know
how to hold a racquet and push on a
wheelchair hand rim at the same time?
Do you want to know how to pick up a
ball off the floor without slowing down?
You can check out the great video selection
provided by the NCPAD at http://www.ncpad.org/.
How about learning how to use adapted
equipment or making modifications to
help all students learn in a physical
education setting. Check out this wonderful
practical resource. Davis, R. (2002)
Inclusion
through Sport, Champaign,Il:
HumanKinetics.
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