National News

Autism Training Resources

The Department has funded a series of on-line training resources and booklets to increase awareness, and understanding of autism across all public services.  Working with the Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Social Care Institute for Excellence, the British Psychological Society, the Royal College of General Practitioners, Health Talk Online, Skills for Health and Skills for Care and the National Autistic Society, these organisations have produced a range of quality materials to enable frontline staff to better recognise and respond more effectively to the needs of adults with autism.

 

Click here for full story

 

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British Judo Association and Special Olympics GB: Working together to promote inclusion
The British Judo Association (BJA) has become the first National Governing Body to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Special Olympics Great Britain – the country’s largest everyday sports training and competition programme for children and adults with learning disabilities. The Understanding sets out a common framework for the two national organisations to develop and promote the sport of Judo for people with a learning disability.

 

According to BJA Chief Executive Scott McCarthy, “The word "dō" in jūdō means the way or path; this partnership with Special Olympics GB will lead to an enlightened pathway to well-being for learning disabled athletes, our coaches, and volunteers. Judo started 130 years ago next year – it seems only fitting to kick-off this agreement with Special Olympics GB during the 2012 Olympic Year.”

 

Highlights of the Memorandum of Understanding:

•  All Special Olympics GB training and competition will take place under the auspices of the BJA and its club network
• Special Olympics GB will provide support and guidance to the BJA in promoting judo for people with a learning disability.
• Special Olympics GB will help to establish the sport of judo within the international Special Olympics movement in 180 countries with 3.5 million learning disabled athletes worldwide.
• The BJA agrees to continue to actively seek to increase the number of people with a learning disability participating in the sport of judo and provide opportunities for judo players of all abilities in coaching and competition programmes.

British Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Heritage Exhibition

This exciting new exhibition celebrating our British Olympic and Paralympic sailing heritage, will be touring the country throughout 2012 but RYA members can see a special preview at the show before the exhibition goes on public display in February and is official launched at the RYA Dinghy Show (3-4 March 2012).

 

The exhibition consists of photos and memorabilia through the ages, from pre-war through to our present day champions. Past Olympic and Paralympic sailors including legend Rodney Pattisson, Keith Musto, Andy Cassell and Alistair Currey have all very kindly shared with us some great items for the exhibition.

 

Click here for full story and venues

 

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Billy Hodge set to meet Paralympic heroes

Billy Hodge, who shot to fame after his homework project was posted on YouTube, had the chance to meet some of his sporting heroes on Tuesday 20th December.

 

Nine year old Billy, who suffers from hemiplegia, a neurological condition that affects one side of the body, made a splash at Leominster Leisure Centre with Paralympic swimming heroes Sascha and Nyree Kindred.

 

Billy created the short video as part of a homework project with the help of UK charity HemiHelp, who provide support for children with hemiplegia and their families.

 

The young sports fan explains to the camera that he would like to compete in the 2020 Paralympic games when he is 18 years old and goes on to demonstrate some of the sports that he might like to compete in, including swimming, athletics, archery, cycling, equestrian, judo, football, rowing and shooting.

 

Billy currently attends swimming lessons in his hometown of Wigan and his parents are keen to provide support and encouragement whichever sport he chooses.

 

Click here for the full story

 

Click here to view Billy's video

 

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CP Sport run several Multi Sport Development Days

CP Sport have organised three Multi Sport Development days. For more information click here.

 

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Herts Wheelchair Badminton Championship

28 January 2011

Queens School,

Aldenham Road,

Bushey,

Hertfordshire

 

Competition:

Men’s & Ladies Wheelchair BMW 1, 2 & 3 Singles

Combined Men’s & Ladies Wheelchair Doubles

Combined Wheelchair Mixed Doubles

Contact: Malcolm Fraser – Tournament Secretary: Email:  frasermalcolm1@virginmedia.com or Tel: 01727752739

 

Click here to download more details and an application form

 

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The Every Day BSL Dictionary App £2.99

This is the first comprehensive BSL dictionary for the iPhone; it's based on the second edition of Cath Smith's Let's Sign Dictionary. The beauty of the app it that it doesn't require an internet connection - once downloaded you have access to the library of over 2,400 signs.

 

The simplicity of the app is really impressive - it has a list of words in alphabetical order with a quick link to letters down the side and a search facility along the top, which is perfect. The pictures and text that describe the signs are very easy to understand and come directly from the Let's Sign books.

 

The biggest advantage we have found with this is that when you're out and about you have an immedieate answer to the inevitable question "what's the sign for..?"

An excellent learning tool and, at £0.00125 per word, a bargain!

 

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