For some years sport and physical activity providers across the country have been accessing parts, or all of, the Active Australia Disability Education Program (DEP). The DEP delivers courses on a diverse range of issues to do with the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity.
The DEP provides training for teachers, coaches, Council staff and volunteers involved in improving the provision of, and access to, sport for people with a disability.
The courses are designed to meet the diverse needs of sport from grassroots to high performance.
The program is currently implemented at state and regional levels by a network (subsidised by the Australian Sports Commission) of state coordinators and 150 regional coordinators and presenters from a variety of government and non government organisations.
The network offers a range of services including advocacy and sports development advice at local, regional and state levels.
Since 1995 nearly 10,000 people have undertaken at least one of the DEP modules.
Despite this, there are many people who struggle to find the time, live in areas where access to courses is restricted or, for whatever reason, feel reluctant to attend a practical workshop with their peers.
Now, for the first time, you can do the course in the comfort of your home or office, in your own time and at your own pace.
Count Me In Online is an internet based course adapted from the Willing and Able workshop of the same name.
It takes the learner through a step by step process – it helps you to examine what you currently do to include people with disabilities and to look for better ways of adapting and modifying activities.
Count Me In Online is fun and easy to follow providing information and ideas and the challenge to complete the five assignments of the program.
Personalised tutor feedback is provided by experienced sport for people with disabilities professionals.
The recently released Give it a Go manual (worth $35), is provided upon registration, giving additional information to the online materials.
On completion, all participants are provided with an Active Australia certificate.
So don’t hesitate, register your interest for Count Me In by going to the Active Australia website at www.activeaustralia.org and follow the links to the Disability Education Program.
