Over 200 people pre-registered for FUNdamentals programme

"This resource is especially meaningful to me because I was not active in sport until I was 30 years old. That's when I discovered para-sport and my whole life changed"

Over 200 individuals and organisations have already pre-registered for the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s FUNdamentals literacy resource.

The aim of the resource is for educators to teach fundamental movement skills and enable children of all abilities to play sports together at school.

Developed over the past two years in partnership with Physical and Health Education Canada, the Paralympic FUNdamentals Physical Literacy Resource is free online for all educators across Canada.

It has been developed with representatives from the sports of boccia, sitting volleyball, goalball and athletics.

Lessons and activity plans are designed to ensure all children, regardless of ability, are provided with access to quality physical education and sporting opportunity.

"There's a great deal of research telling us that many Canadians with a disability are unfortunately not active in sports, and so we are leveraging this new initiative so that children of all abilities can enjoy the benefits of physical activity," said Karen O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

"Working closely with our partners, the Canadian Paralympic Committee is committed to helping build a strong sport system in Canada that is inclusive of people with a disability."

The programme is co-authored by Paralympic rower and Toronto special education teacher Victoria Nolan, who has a visual impairment.

"This resource is especially meaningful to me because I was not active in sport until I was 30 years old. That's when I discovered para-sport and my whole life changed," said Nolan.

"I went from lacking the opportunity to be active to becoming a world champion and Paralympian. With this resource, not only will we be able to help children with a disability realise their potential in sport, but we can also teach able-bodied children how to play para-sports.”

The Paralympic FUNdamentals resource curriculum was piloted last year in 42 schools across seven provinces, involving 42 teachers and 1,410 students.

For more information, visit the Canadian Paralympic Committee website.