Tips for Including swimmers with a disability:

Coach

As a swimming coach, you find yourself in a key position to the inclusion of a swimmers with a disability, not only into a session but into the club. Being inclusive as a Coach or Club does not mean having to make drastic new changes or learn new skills. It doesn't mean that every member of staff at the club attending a large number of courses, outlining the specifics of every disability known to man. It is simply ensuring that the attitudes and environment allows for swimmers to progress and develop. Regardless of whether a swimmer has a disability or not, each individual is different in the skills they possess and the tasks they can perform.

The Following will offer some tips as how to include swimmers with a disability into your club:

• Put the Swimmer before the disability e.g. Michael is a swimmer who has Spina bifida
• Ask the swimmer, their parents and/or their physiotherapist, what they are able to do, how far their current restrictions can be pushed and make sure you maximise their abilities
• Don't assume swimmers are unable to perform a task e.g. If a swimmer is in a wheelchair, don't assume they can't use their legs
• If a swimmer looks to be performing incorrect technique, don't assume it is down to the disability. If it is incorrect, look to change it
• Look at making modifications to sessions and how equipment, environment and coaching technique may improve the inclusion of that swimmer
• Get to know the swimmer, you don't need to be an expert on specific disabilities, you need to be a swimming coach that knows their swimmers
• Regardless of whether you have a swimmer with a disability at the club or not, be proactive. Make sure that the club, coaches and swimmers are educated about being inclusive.
• Look for examples of good practise from other coaches, clubs, Swim Wales or National Disability Sport Organisations (e.g. British Blind Sport, UK Dwarf Association, CP Sport etc)

Creating an inclusive environment for Swimmers with a disability is not difficult or complicated. Often no physical changes need to be made at all, more attitudes or fears. When modifying simply consider the following:

• Keep the focus of the session the same
• Make sure that it is challenging, do not make it easier
• Look to reduce the modifications over time as the skill and understanding improves
• Only modify if it is necessary to do so