SASSOT launch new Disability Sport section

SASSOT launch new Disability Sport Section

SASSOT are proud to announce that it has redesigned its disability section on the web. This new section is more easily accessible and is being developed to be a one-stop shop for disability sport within Staffordshire.

Although this development is an ongoing process and information will be constanlty added, Mark Fosbrook, Aiming High Disability Sport & Physical Activity Officer said "I am keen to make the information we have gathered so far, accessible to allow parents, children, in fact anyone, have a greater understanding of the opportunities out there for disabled people."

The website currently has information about the following:

Understanding Disability - Gives an explanation of different types disabilities to support coaches, volunteers etc in knowing more about disabilities.
Access - This looks at the various initiatives, facilities and equipment around Disabled Sport.
Sports - A comprehensive guide about a variety of sports and the provision of these sports within Staffordshire.
Resources - Useful documents and publications about disability and sport.
Training - A list of various training opportunities that will help raise the awareness of disability sport.
Links - A comprehensive list of organisations involved with disability sport.
Schools - Information about the Schools Sports Partnerships and their work around disability sport.

Over the coming months we will also be adding:

Events - A calendar of events around disability sport. If you want to know of disability related courses, clubs, events or activities happening within Staffordshire. This is the palce to find it.
News - All of the latest news about disabled sport.
Staffordshire Stars - Information about the Paralympians and future stars from Staffordshire.

As well as more information and photos on the existing pages.

Mark Fosbrook
Aiming High: Disability Sport & Physical Activity Officer
T:01785 619398
M:07800 619693

E: mfosbrook@staffordbc.gov.uk

Disability Sport Forums

Currently the County has 4 Disability Sport Forums. These are located in East Staffordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle and Cannock. The idea of these forums is to meet and discuss issues around disabled sport and work on solutions to develop opportunites for disabled poeple within their area.

These groups consist of people who have an interest in disability sport, run a club with a disability section, have a responsibility through work to develop disabled sport or opportunities or have a disability themselves.

The groups generally meet every quarter. The following groups have their next meetings on:

Staffordshire Moorlands Disability Sports Forum - Tuesday 20th April
Cannock Sportability - Wednesday 21st April
East Staffordshire Able Too Forum - Thursday 6th May

There are plans to develop more of these forums around the County to help develop disability sport and increase the opportunities and provision.

If you are interested in getting involved with these groups then please contact: Mark Fosbrook, Aiming High: Disability Sport & Physical Activity Officer at mfosbrook@staffordbc.gov.uk or 01785 619398.

Paralympic World Cup

Free tickets for Schools - available now!

From 25th - 31st May 2010 the BT Paralympic World Cup will return to Manchester bringing the world's top athletes to compete in a multisport event showcasing five sports. We are delighted to offer your school the chance to experience the action for free! You can apply for up to 25 tickets* per event which can be used for pupils, teachers or guardians - all you need is the promo code SCHTKO.

Click here for more information.

IFI Recognised Products Portfolio Launch

Friday 5th March 2010 marked the launch of the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) Recognised Products Portfolio; an exciting new opportunity for public & private fitness facilities to access a free online resource of accessibly designed products.

The IFI are working closely with industry suppliers to recognise many different types of access products from gripping aids to gym mats, lockers to lifts and water coolers to wheelchair ramps to name a few.

With increasing demand from growing numbers of both public & private fitness facilities working towards meeting the requirements of the IFI Mark standards, it is anticipated that the portfolio of IFI Recognised Products will provide a fast, effective and trusted resource.

The IFI Recognised products portfolio is also a resource for disabled people, providing valuable knowledge and advice on the best access products on the market.

Each recognised product within the online portfolio features a dedicated web listing, with key information on each product. The listing includes a product description, a range of imagery including detailed key features, the product supplier name and a lead contact. The IFI Recognised Products Portfolio has been designed to enable users to easily compare products and suppliers to help make the best purchasing decisions.

The IFI now boasts an extensive network of IFI Mark accredited facilities throughout England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The IFI’s strategy ‘Inclusion Works Out’ has identified a target to accredit 1000 fitness facilities throughout the UK by 2012.

Leisure providers are already acknowledging IFI Recognised Products as a fantastic and welcomed addition to the support available in creating accessible and inclusive environments.

The IFI Recognised products portfolio is available on-line and will be updated regularly - click here.

If you have a product that you wish to recommend for inclusion within the portfolio, please contact Christopher Forrest on e-mail: christopher@inclusivefitness.org or (0)114 257 2060 (Text phone users add prefix 18001).

ParalympicsGB

Paralympic GB Talent Day

Identifying Talent for London 2012 and beyond

12th May, 2010 - University of Bath

Do you think you have what it takes to be a paralympian? If so this is your opportunity to experience and find your Paralympic sport.

Click here for more information.

EFDS

Inclusive Club Grants Programme launched

English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is pleased to announce a new small grants programme to support local clubs develop inclusive sporting provision.

The inclusive clubs grant scheme has been developed in partnership with the Coalfield Regeneration Trust and will focus upon coalfield regeneration area within the North and Midlands areas.

The closing date for the first set of applications is 23^rd April 2010.

Click here for more information.

Latest Access to Volunteering grants to
help disabled people volunteer

The next round of Access to Volunteering grants to reduce the 9% gap in volunteering in the UK, between disabled people and the rest of the population, has been announced today (26 March 2010).

So far, over £200,000 in grants has been given out to 55 organisations in the three test regions of Greater London, the West Midlands and the North West to support disabled people who want to volunteer.

Amongst the latest grant recipients is Whizz Kidz, a children’s charity in London who will use its £5,000 grant to enable young disabled volunteers to volunteer in their headquarters, or at Whizz Kids’ wheelchair skills training schemes and Ambassador Clubs.

Helen Rathbone, Whizz-Kidz Volunteer Co-ordinator said: “This funding is key in allowing us to reach out to more disabled young people, giving them the chance to develop their skills through volunteering opportunities with Whizz-Kidz. The funding process was very simple, enabling us to get started with the project straight away.”

West Mercia Police in the West Midlands received a grant of £5,000 to purchase specialist equipment such as dictaphones, special telephones, Braille signs and customised keypads to help disabled people to volunteer with them, while Diversity 103.5FM in the North-West received a grant of £3,828 to develop a mobile studio outfit to include disabled users who are currently unable to come to the studios to broadcast from their own homes.

Supported by the Office for the Third Sector, Access to Volunteering Fund aims to increase the number of disabled volunteers by breaking down the barriers they currently face when wanting to volunteer.

Angela Smith, Minister for the Office of the Third Sector, said: “Disabled people should not face barriers to volunteering. They should enjoy the same opportunities as anyone else. The Government is committed to breaking down the barriers which face disabled people who wish to help others.

“It’s great to see such a range of organisations taking part in this initiative which will bring reciprocal benefits to both parties and will hopeful encourage more organisations to take part.”

The next deadline for grant applications is 19th April. For more information see: Access to Volunteering website or call the helpline on: 03000 123 346.

The Access to Volunteering Fund
T: 0300 123 346

Staffordshire Football Association

FA Disability Events

Click on the links to find out more on the following events taking place soon.....

Jamie Leaning
Disability Football Coach
T: 07800 619884
E: jamie.leaning@staffordshirefa.com

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