UNIT 4

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS FOR - CWSN

(CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS-DIVYANG)

INTRODUCTION:
The World report on disability has shown the benefits of collaboration between agencies for increasing
awareness, political will and strong action to reduce this disability. The World report on disability is
directed at policy-makers, practitioners, researchers, academics, development agencies, and civil
society, physical education is not only meant for common fit person but also for physically challenged
people (Divyang) who participate with full enthusiasm in sports. United Nation Human Right and
convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) has given the right to participate in games
and sports as like other persons. Disable persons are free to participating in these activities not only at
National level but at International level like Special Olympic Bharat, Paralympic, Deaflympics and many
more. We should encourage and boost such types of activities. This unit will guide us in physical
education and sports for all

CONCEPT OF DISABILITY
Disability is an impairment that may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory,
or some combination of these. It affects the everyday activities of the individual to a considerable
amount. Disability is an injury that restricts the functions or movement of an individual. Disability is a
medical condition which does not permit an individual to perform any activity or movement in a normal
way. There are various types of disability like physical or mobility or loco-motor disability, cognitive or
learning disability, intellectual disability, sensory disability; psychological or mental disability; chronic
neurological disability; multiple disabilities etc.

3rd December is celebrated as World Disability Day

International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) encourages international cooperation in
the field of physical activity for the benefit of individuals of all abilities, to promote, stimulate and
support research in the field of adapted physical activity throughout the world. It assists and guides the
Paralympics, Special Olympics, Deaflympics and other organizations and agencies which work under it.

PARALYMPICS
Paralympic started in the year 1960 at Rome (Italy). This is similar to Olympics for disabled sports
person. The efforts of Sir Ludwig Guttmann made this first Paralympic possible. The headquarter of
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is at Bonn (Germany). The IPC is responsible for organising
Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. The symbol of Paralympic Games is three colours (Red, Blue and
Green) and motto is "Spirit in Motion".

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 PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE OF INDIA (PCI)

Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is the governing body of Paralympic Sports in India formed in 1992.
It is recognized by both, International Paralympic Committee (IPC). It works under the Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India. PCI develops and promotes Paralympic Sports with the help of
National Sports Federations and State Paralympic Associations affiliated to it. The Head Office of PCI is at
Delhi. The objectives of this organization were to promote sports for the disabled of our country,
identifying the disabled sportspersons at all India level, imparting necessary training to them, and
preparing them to take part in State, National & International Sports meets was the major activity of this
organization. There are many activities been participated by disabled people, some have standard rules
and regulation whereas many of them are participated for recreation, to stay healthy or for body fitness.

PARALYMPIC ELIGIBILITY:

(i)Impaired Muscle Power: Reduced force generated by muscles or muscle groups, may occur in one
limb or the lower half of the body. Examples include: spinal cord injury (complete or incomplete, tetra or
paraplegia), muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome and Spina bifida.

(ii) Impaired Passive Range of Movement: Athletes with impaired range of movement have a
restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints. Examples include: arthrogryposis and
contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.

(iii) Loss of Limb or Limb Deficiency: Athletes with limb deficiency have total or partial absence of
bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (for example traumatic amputation), illness (for example
amputation due to bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia).

(iv) Leg-length Difference: Athletes that have a difference in the length of their legs as a result of a
disturbance of limb growth, or as a result of trauma.

(v) Short Stature: Athletes with short stature have a reduced length in the bones of the lower limbs
and/or trunk. Examples include: achondroplasia, growth hormone dysfunction, and osteogenesis
imperfecta.

(vi) Hypertonia: Athletes with hypertonia have an increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a
muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system. Examples include: cerebral palsy,
traumatic brain injury and stroke.

(vii) Ataxia: Athletes with ataxia have uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central
nervous system. Examples include: cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis.

(viii) Athetosis: Athletes with athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements. Examples include
cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke

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 PARALYMPIC EVENTS
At Tokyo 2020 Paralympic the following events were conducted for disabled: Archery, Para Athletics,
Boccia, Canoe, Cycling, Equestrian, Football 5-a-side, Football 7-a-side, Goal ball, Judo, Para Power
Lifting Rowing Sailing, Shooting, Para Sitting Volleyball, Para Swimming. Table Tennis, Triathlon,
Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing. Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Tennis.

SPECIAL OLYMPIC
Special Olympics International was started by efforts of Eunice Kennedy Shriver (sister of former
President of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy) first International Special Olympics Games
in Chicago in July 1968. It is a movement that uses sports to reform the lives of disabled persons (with in
intellectual disability). It gives training and coaching to build the interest in sports, skill perfection, social
interaction, communication skills, and talent and leadership) abilities in intellectual disabled persons.
Shriver believed that with equal opportunities and experiences as everyone else, people with
intellectual disabilities could accomplish far more than ever thought possible. She was convinced that
children with intellectual disabilities could be exceptional athletes and that through sports they can
realise their potential for growth.

SPECIAL OLYMPIC BHARAT (SOB)

In India, Special Olympic Bharat (SOB) formed in 2001; is an organisation approved by National Sports
Federation and Special Olympic International (SOI) for the development of person with intellectual
disabilities. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India as a National
Sports Federation in the Priority Category, for development of Sports for Persons with Intellectual
Disabilities. Special Olympics Bharat organises training and competition events at local, district, state,
national and international levels. It organises competitive events in 24 Olympic style individual and team
sports events. The best performer is referred to attend National Coaching Camp supported by Sports
Authority of India (SAI) to prepare for International Competitive events.

Special Olympics Bharat also gives training for coaches to deal with intellectual disabled persons. Special
Olympics Bharat programme helps to improve the overall health and fitness of athletes by providing
basic health check-ups, preventive treatments, educational information and referral for follow-up care,
etc.

Special Olympics Bharat Objectives:

(i) Focus on holistic development and training that goes beyond the classrooms into the playing fields,
cultural and community centres, to motivate children with disabilities to join and remain in school.

(ii) Create role models who will inspire the children and also motivate parents into sending their children
to school and to participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities.

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(iii) Train teachers to sensitise them to needs of special children, and create a cadre of physical
education teachers from among the disabled who can work with schools and community centres.

(vi) Ensure all Special Olympics Bharat activates local, state, national and international reflect the
Olympic movement values, standards, ceremonies and events.

DEAFLYMPICS
Deaflympics (previously called World Games for the Deaf and International Games for the Deaf) are an
International Olympic Committee (IOC)-sanctioned event at which deaf athletes compete at an elite
level. Unlike the athletes in other 10C-sanctioned events (the Olympics, the Paralympics, and the Special
Olympics), the Deaflympians cannot be guided by sounds (e.g., the starter's guns, bullhorn commands or
referee whistles). The games have been organized by the Comité International des Sports des Sourds
(CISS “The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf") since the first event. In India deaf sports
acturtees are regulated by "All India Sports Council of the Deaf (AISCD). It is registered under 10A.

Advantages of Physical Activities for CWSN:

The benefits of physical activities are universal for all children, including those with disabilities. Disabled
person are taught in Inclusion Schools so that they fit in society, moreover, normal people can
understand their needs. Physical activity is as important for special children. The advantages are as
under:

(i) Physical Benefits: Scientific studies into disability groups have demonstrated that participation in
physical activity and sport leads to improved levels of well-being and physical health.

(ii) Better Psychological Health: The psychological health becomes better by doing physical activities for
children with special needs

(iii) Overall Health Improvement: Physical activities provide good health and proper functioning of
internal organs. Thus, the overall efficiency gets improved.

(iv) Provides Fun and Recreation: Physical activities provide fun and recreation thus refreshes and re-
energies. It helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression level in disabled children.

(v) Improves Social Abilities: Physical activities provide ample opportunities for improving social skills
and social interactions among CWSN

(vi)Better Emotional Balance: Physical activities help the children with special needs by controlling and
balancing their emotions and also give them enjoyment.

(vii) Overcoming Health Problems: (viii) Improves Cognitive Learning:

(ix) Improvement in Physical Skills: (x) Improves Fitness Level

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STRATEGIES TO MAKE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ASSESSABLE FOR CWSN (CHILDREN WITH
SPECIAL NEED)

Physical activities for disabled children are specifically designed programmes with special need
considering the type of disability or disorder. Physical education programmes in a modified way help in
the development to teaching or recreation and play, etc. of disabled person. Adapted or specially
designed Physical Education (APE) is about meeting the unique needs of individual students with
disabilities. It includes lot of strategies to make physical activity accessible for CWSN such as:

(i) Medical Check-up: The activities for children with special needs should be started by proper
medical check-up.

(ii) Activity According to Individual Abilities: The physical activities are specifically and specially
designed for the individual according to his/her ability

(iii) Activities Based on Interests: Physical activities must be based on the interest, aptitude, ability,
previous experience and limitations of children with special needs

(iv) Modified Equipments: Equipments are specially designed and modified according to individual
needs.

(v) Simple and Easy Rules: The physical activities for disabled people are having simple and easy rules,
moreover, it should be graded as specified by Paralympics.

(vi) Motivated to Participate Freely: The activities designed for them should encourage the
participation freely and independently

(vii) Well-Instructed and Properly Trained: (viii) Encouragement from Spectators:

(ix) Suitable Environment: (x) Participation under Experts:

(xi) Sufficient Free Space