Swim your Way

Background The project was focused on people with disabilities who are often prevented from taking part fully in society because of environmental and attitudinal barriers. People with disabilities are limited in opportunities to be as physically active as typical people. The project promoted their participation in sport and their social inclusion through the adapted swimming programs . Also through the project, professionals of the sport shared their knowledge and good practices. Objectives The project objectives were to:-promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport activities and their social inclusion -raise awareness on the relevance of swimming to the social inclusion of people with disabilities-promote the exchange and circulation of good practices and knowledge- result in a more updated staff Implementation Through the realization of five Transnational Meetings and three workshops, four specific categories of disability were selected, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Neurological based Disability, Physical injuries Disability and Down Syndrome. After an extensive literature review, each partner designed and performed a series of swimming lessons adapted to its assigned disability group needs. A final conference and four local events were realized to disseminate the project results. Achievements The “activities that work best” in the teaching process were selected and included in the "Swim your Way" Guide which is offered as an Open Educational Resource to other professionals of the sport, swimming instructors, teachers and trainers, is available in five different languages (EN, EL, IT, SL, RO) and is expected to have a cross sectional long term positive effect to the adapted swimming area, helping people with disabilities to participate in swimming as well as sport professionals.