View Full Version : Disability Awareness Course
NickPheas
22-11-2005, 00:19
Anyone done the Disability Awareness SDC? What did you think of it?
Nick
Yes I have done it.
I thought it was a great course, really got people thinking.
Anyone who just swallows the manual and "Instructs" rather than "Teaches" will have there eyes open.
Go for it, you will enjoy it
Purdy
I was invited to do one of the first Instructor training courses run by the NW group, way back in I think 1999.
We did it along with the FFM course, it was a very informative course and would be invaluble for anyone who teaches.
I would recommend it to anyone.
John Williams
28-11-2005, 08:28
Seconded (or is that thirded?)
It really got me thinking about my prejudices - not just about differently able people (they are not necessarily disabled) ...but about people in general.
- who saw the film DareDevil?...that guy was blind but still jumped about the skyline!
- The X-Men? ...professor Xavier was in a wheelchair - but perfectly capable of doing things that you and I can't do!
(OK - so they were fantasy...but you get my point!)
Stephen Hawkins! - a man with poor physical ability...but a mind better than most!
George Best - a physical and footballing genious ...disabled (and eventually killed) by alcohol and fame!
You think of some more....
We all have different abilities and different hang-ups. I don't think about disability anymore - I just think about different levels of ability!
Who's to say that some mental block about breathing through your nose with your mouth open (mask clearing) is not a "disability"?
Is the person who just cannot break the habit of "cycling" instead of finning properly more "disabled" than the person without use of their legs - but has superb upper body strength and wrist paddles to aid movement underwater?
One of the "worst" prejudices is beleiving that you know how to cope with a "disability" better than the person themselves. Treat the experience as a partnership - where they can teach you how to support them most effectively - and you'll have a great time and learn a lot about yourself!
I found the course which forced me into "disability" by tying my legs together, making me wear a blacked out mask and "feel" my way around my kit - and all sorts of other things really helped my own diving ...and was a HUGE help in my instruction (of all students).
Go for it...it's a real eye-opener (and really good fun too!)
John
Hi,
That's useful advice John - I'll keep it in mind tonight when a Swimming Instructor is bringing along a 14 yo boy (good swimmer) to try out snorkelling.
He is autistic so I'm glad that she will stay with me during the lesson.
I do wish there had been a Disability Awareness Course in Scotland recently.
I'll let you all know how I get on :)
Carol
Is the Disability Awareness SDC only run by a Region?
If so there'll only be one next year, right?
Steve Pearson
02-12-2005, 18:29
Is the Disability Awareness SDC only run by a Region?
If so there'll only be one next year, right?
Tony,
Speak to Mike Halligan, he's fairly instrumental in organising these, you can PM him from here, look in the Members List http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=74
He's a nice guy and will be able to help you.
Steve
John Williams
03-12-2005, 14:37
Hi,
That's useful advice John - I'll keep it in mind tonight when a Swimming Instructor is bringing along a 14 yo boy (good swimmer) to try out snorkelling.
He is autistic so I'm glad that she will stay with me during the lesson.
I do wish there had been a Disability Awareness Course in Scotland recently.
I'll let you all know how I get on :)
Carol
Please do let us know!
I think you'll find that if you remeber that you are the acknowledged expert in the skill that you are trying to teach - but that they (more than anyone else in the world) are the expert in their own different ability and how to manage it - then you'll both have fun and acheive much more together!
John
Tony,
Speak to Mike Halligan ...............
Many thanks Steve, it can't do any harm to let him know someone else is interested. I'll contact him :)
I'm afraid my lad didn't turn up on Friday night.
Apparantly ill. Now I'll have to wait until our Club starts up again in early January.
Still looking for the course though.
Carol
Eugene Farrell
14-12-2005, 20:57
Hi
Mike Halligan is doing some great work on this course. I gather there will be pilots running early next year.
Any comment Mike?;)
Mike Halligan
15-12-2005, 20:49
Any comment Mike?;)
For now, Eugene, suffice to say the content is in need of modernisation and we (i.e. not just me) are taking the opportunity to radically challenge every aspect, in order that the next generation shall prove as worthy as the current one.
This does mean we have huge developments within the BSAC and beyond to account for, so I am casting my net wide for both assistance and advice. I'm grateful to those who have offered to contribute.
Regards,
Mike
Accessibility@bsac.com
Eugene Farrell
15-12-2005, 21:28
Cheers Mike
West Midlands Region will be happy to assist in getting this to completion.
Should people hold tight and wait for the new version of this? Any clues as to what it might look like?
Eugene:)
Mike Halligan
15-12-2005, 22:06
Eugene,
I'd not recommend holding tight, mainly because it took me 3 years to get on a DDA! The content of the old course is still valid and a switched-on instructor can update students regarding new law, etc. However, AFAIK there's only one event scheduled for 2006.
Far too soon to say on look and feel. Broad objectives are in place, the purpose of consultation is to define the achievable taking account of the BSAC's training resource.
You will be amongst the first to judge, when you're invited to assure the new event and recommend regarding the roll-out process.
One thing however, there will be absolutely NOTHING on weather :D
Mike
Steve Pearson
16-12-2005, 20:42
Hi Mike
Hope Ann's stuff is of use to you.
Just give me a shout when you need me
Steve
Mike Halligan
16-12-2005, 21:20
Steve,
It is brilliant. Thanks, mate.
Mike
Eugene Farrell
17-12-2005, 00:33
Cheers Mike:)
How may types of cloud are there again?:D
Mike Halligan
17-12-2005, 13:29
Eugene,
Eleven. :cool:
Mike
Fran Duinker
08-11-2006, 15:19
I'm afraid my lad didn't turn up on Friday night.
Apparantly ill. Now I'll have to wait until our Club starts up again in early January.
Still looking for the course though.
Carol
Hi Carol,
It's a shame that he didn't turn up, what might help is that you could go and meet him and observe him where he's on his patch, or watch how his swimming instructor speaks to him as that will give you an insight into how to approach him and how to give him instructions, depending on the level of his autism
Good Luck
Fran:)
judithbodkin
08-11-2006, 16:05
Hi Carol,
It's a shame that he didn't turn up, what might help is that you could go and meet him and observe him where he's on his patch, or watch how his swimming instructor speaks to him as that will give you an insight into how to approach him and how to give him instructions, depending on the level of his autism
Good Luck
Fran:)
To what level was is the Autism. I have my son doing his Ocean Diver Course at
the moment who is mildly Autistic. Doing very well so far. We have mixed all
the instructors all this time. I took him for his pool session last with 2 others
next time it will be someone else.
I would be very interested if there any Disability Awareness Course running
so far nothing in the SE Region. Happy to travel out of area.
:D :D
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