The Disability Education Program is a national initiative of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), which provides education and training, resources and support for people who are interested or involved in providing sport and physical activities for people with disabilities.
The DEP is coordinated by Sport and Recreation via a State Coordinator and other key contacts.

The DEP aims to:

• promote disability awarenss and acceptance
• Provide practical strategies to assist with the inclusion of people with disabilities
• Encourage the development of innovative techniques to assist inclusion
• Provide appropriate acknowledgement for providers in the field
• Increase the enjoyment of sport and physical activity for people with disabilities
• Assist sport organisations to develop sport-specific initiatives for the inclusion of people with disabilities

DEP WORKSHOPS

DEP workshops combine theory and practical activities with emphasis on:

• Learning by doing
• Appropriate methods of adapting and modifying regular sports and activities
• Interaction with people with disabilities
• Providing safe and supportive environments

The Disability Education Program offers training in six modules, each targetting a specific group or issue:

Module Title	Overview
Count Me In	A general community sports and awareness workshop for everyone interested or involved in the provision of sporting opportunities that include people with a disability.
Getting Ready for School	A sports, physical education and disability awareness workshop focusing on the inclusion of young people with a disability into school-based sport and physical activity programs.
Opening Doors	A practical workshop that assists sporting organisations to develop strategies to attract and retain people with a disability as members.
Play by the Rules	A workshop that helps sporting organisations to understand and deal with issues of disability discrimination, and meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992
What is Disability Sport	A practical workshop that demystifies what disability sport is all about, and covers issues relating to classification and Paralympic sport.
Inclusive Coaching	A coach-oriented workshop that enhances current knowledge and promotes the inclusion of athletes with a disability.

Workshops are generally three hours per module, although workshop length and content may be tailored to suit the needs of a group such as sporting organisations, or tertiary student group. Workshop fees are generally $11 per participant, per module (including GST) and are payable prior to the workshop to confirm registration. Organisations may choose to 'host' a workshop for staff and key contacts for a negotiated fee.

For further information on the Disability Education Program, or to have a session tailored to suit your needs please contact:
Sport Education Coordinator
Telephone: (08) 8982 2301
or email: participation.dsr@nt.gov.au


DISABILITY EDUCATION RESOURCES

The Australian SPorts Commission's Publications unit offers a wide range of resources for people who want to l

earn more about sport and physical activity for people with a disability.

Key resources that have ben developed as a part of the Disability Education Program include:

Give it a Go - Including People with Disabilities in Sport and Physical Activity

This book is the core resource for the Disability Education Program. It provides a host of practical strategies and ideas to assist schools, clubs, sporting organisations and other community groups to include people with disabilities in regular sport and physical activity programs.

Teachers Talk About

"Teachers Talk About" deals with the real life, day to day experiences of teachers who provide sport and physical activity programs for children

The teacher's stories in this resource offer solutions, useful information and a critical understanding of inclusive practice and the needs of people with a disability.

Opening Doors

A series of best practice case studies featuring organisations that have successfully developed policies, programs and services to include people with a disability into regular physical activity.

A full range of disability education resources, activity cards and ordering details, visit the ASC website www.ausport.gov.au/publications


Project CONNECT

Project CONNECT is a national joint venture between the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Paralympic Committee.

CONNECT stands for Creating Opportunities, Nationally through Networks in Education Classification and Training.

Project CONNECT aims to provide national sporting organisations with assistance in meeting the needs of people with a disability within their sport. Its two main focus areas are:

1. Creating athlete pathways for people with a disability
2. breaking down the barriers within disability and non-disability specific sport structures for people with a disability.

For more information on Project CONNECT, visit the website on: www.ausport.gov.au/connect