Providing access to aquatic environments to families with children with diverse abilities
By Alexander Gill, Waterabilities Operational Manager
Abilities unlimited Australia’s (AUA) Program reached the half way point this week and we couldn’t be happier with the progress that all of the children have made in such a short time. This term is the first term that AUA has started the dryland water safety and drowning prevention program. The program works as a precursor of our in water safety program, Waterabilities.
There are many benefits to the programs. These include, and are not limited to:
developing muscle memory as children develop and practise Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS)
maximising time spent in the water – dry activities taught out the water mean sensory distractions are lessened, allowing for greater opportunities to achieve swim skills when attending water-based swimming activities
reducing anxiety as children are provided with the opportunity to learn and practise some skills before entering the water
providing opportunities for children to meet and form positive relationships with Waterabilities instructors prior to coming to in water Waterabiliites programs
building confidence, social connections, communication skills and safety knowledge.
The importance of building confidence and safety knowledge is indispensable.
It enables the kids and families to feel comfortable and safe going on family holidays in water environments. Which is a basic part of what it means to be Australian. Water is so entrenched into Australian culture. A lot of the families that come through our program just want to be able to go to the beach without being scared of something going wrong. Hearing the parents of these kids that have diverse abilities report that they are starting to feel comfortable accessing beaches, rivers, and lakes with their children with diverse abilities, is life changing for them.
AUA is so proud to be able to provide that piece of mind to these families and give their kids, not just a life skill but the ability to get out into the community and experience all the joys that water has to offer for the rest of their life.
This week, something truly beautiful happened. One of the kids walked up to another kid in the program and asked him if he wanted to play on the playground with him after the session was over.
This might seem like something minor but for some children we support this is a huge step that is meaningful, life changing and so very special.
AUA values connection and aims within all programs to support the building of social connections and friendships. This sense of social inclusion and community for many of our families provides sometime the first place where they have felt safe, supported and connected with others.
For the child in our program to start building a friendship is so very special. Building these social skills confidence, enables these kids to go on family holidays to the beach and make new friends and connections, which may last a life time.
The dryland program has shown me that the safety skills, whilst important are really just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the bigger picture.
I am proud to be a part of programme that saves kids’ lives from a water safety point of view but also from a life experience point of view.
I can’t wait to see what new developments next week will bring.