Everyone deserves the opportunity to exercise.
Do you want to help people with intellectual and sensory disabilities exercise?
This course will provide you with extensive knowledge and exercises designed to help you program for people with intellectual and sensory disabilities. You'll walk away with an extensive library of exercises and ideas to give you hours of activities as well as the confidence to engage and understand the needs of those living with disability.
Imagine a Fitness Industry where everyone is welcome.
It's a simple concept, but it's one that is often overlooked and undervalued.
- Imagine being confident to deliver group exercise classes for people with disabilities.
- Picture your fitness centre becoming more inclusive and opening up new programs/classes for those with disabilities who have traditionally been unable to attend.
- Image knowing that you have the skills to program, create classes and engage with the 20% of the community that live with disability.
Be empowered to confidently engage with those with cognitive and sensory disabilities.
Is Your Inclusive Fitness Class Falling Short for People with Disabilities?
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Do you worry about how to offer a more inclusive class for people with disabilities and how to ensure that they are engaged in what you are offering?
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Do you worry that your communication will be offensive or ineffective?
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Are you lost with how to create exercises that are appropriate and that your class will be boring and uninteresting for people with disabilities?
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Are you worried about how you will handle different types of behaviours?
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Are you nervous that your class will be full of people with disabilities and that they will have no idea what to do?
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Are you concerned about monitoring the right intensity and worried about injuring your participants?
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Have you ever felt like you don't know where to start and what music to play and what activities to do that will ensure everyone is having fun, getting fit and feeling great?
Creating a holistic and inclusive exercise program can be challenging, especially when it comes to accommodating disabled people.
But where can you find the information and guidance you need to ensure your classes are engaging and effective?
Enable: creating Awareness, a sense of Belonging, to enhance Lives through Exercise
This course provides you with more than exercise ideas. It provides everything you need to know about getting people excited about exercising
- It outlines the language that you can use
- How to successfully engage individuals
- Navigate different behaviours and embrace neurodiversity
- How to promote your exercise opportunities in ways that you have never thought of before
- This course will give you all of this and more! It is designed to empower you as a fitness instructor, coach or physical educator so that you can be confident in knowing that you are doing everything possible for your clients and participants to achieve their goals.
Why Exercise Classes for People with Intellectual Disabilities Fail: Common Missteps
- Lack of understanding and knowledge about how to adapt exercises for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Failure to communicate effectively and appropriately with participants with intellectual disabilities.
- Limited experience and exposure to teaching or coaching individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Inadequate preparation in creating an environment that caters to the needs and abilities of participants with intellectual disabilities.
- Insufficient understanding of the behaviours and challenges that people with intellectual disabilities may face during classes.
Inadequate Preparation
Preparing Effectively for Inclusive Fitness Classes
You might be lacking the necessary knowledge and tools to create an environment that caters to the needs and abilities of your participants with disabilities.
But with the right preparation and guidance, you can create an inclusive fitness class that is fun and effective for all participants.
ENABLE will shift you from feeling unprepared to feeling confident in your ability to deliver inclusive fitness classes that cater to the needs of all participants.
Fear of Offending
Overcoming Fear of Offending in Inclusive Fitness Classes
The fear of offending can hold you back from creating an environment that caters to the needs and abilities of all participants.
However, by educating yourself on the best practices for inclusive communication, you can create an environment that is supportive and respectful.
By shifting your focus from the fear of offending to the goal of creating a supportive and respectful environment, you can build a positive and inclusive fitness community that caters to the needs of all participants. TAKE ACTION NOW
Lack of Adaptation
Adapting to the Needs of Participants with Disabilities in Inclusive Fitness Classes
Lack of adaptation can lead to boredom and disengagement in your inclusive fitness class.
By adapting exercises to the needs and abilities of your participants, you can create a more engaging and effective fitness experience for everyone.
By shifting your focus from a lack of adaptation to the goal of creating engaging and effective exercises for all participants, you can build a fitness community that is inclusive, supportive, and empowering. TAKE ACTION NOW
Fear of Causing Harm
Fostering Confidence in Inclusive Fitness Instructors
This fear can hold you back from creating effective and engaging exercise experiences in your inclusive fitness class.
With proper knowledge and techniques, you can positively challenge your participants to their limits safely and confidently.
By prioritising the safety and well-being of your participants and shifting your focus to a confident and informed approach to fitness instruction, you can provide a more effective and engaging fitness experience for all individuals in your inclusive class. TAKE ACTION NOW
Lack of Knowledge and Resources
Empowering Inclusive Fitness Instructors with Knowledge and Resources
This feeling of being ill-equipped can be discouraging, but ENABLE will provide many exercises, class formats and resources to help you create an effective and engaging fitness experience for all participants.
By building your knowledge and resources, you can provide a more effective and engaging fitness experience for all individuals in your class.
Believe that you have the ability to create a welcoming and inclusive fitness environment, and take action to empower yourself with the knowledge and resources from ENABLE. With the right tools and support, you can make a positive impact on the health and well-being of all participants in your inclusive class.
Enrol now in ENABLE
"This course was fantastic! I wish I could have accessed this information when my Autism Spectrum Disorder child was younger. I especially loved the animated video which showed coping mechanisms and behaviours in such a gentle way. Resources like these are ESSENTIAL in teaching all generations about acceptance, kindness, patience and understanding to achieve true inclusion.
As I progress through this course I can't help thinking that every single person in the fitness and sporting industry NEEDS to do the Enable course. I am sharing parts of what I am learning here at my own facility daily. Thank you so much Caitlin, Carol and Marietta for this brilliant opportunity to learn, understand and facilitate inclusion."
AINSLIE CASTLE: GROUP FITNESS EXPERT
"Really good course. I think it is something that everyone working in the fitness industry - whether they are in management or a group fitness instructor - should do at least a part of so that they are aware of the barriers and can be careful not to be contributing to them. It has certainly gotten me thinking about how I approach the people who have disabilities in my classes. Thanks! "
MELISSA MORONY: GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR/PRESENTER/WRITER
ENABLE CREATOR: Carol Syer
Carol is a highly experienced fitness professional with over 31 years of experience in the industry. She works as a Group Fitness Instructor, Group Exercise Program Coordinator, and Personal Trainer. Throughout her career, Carol has combined her fitness expertise with her passion for creating accessible fitness programs for everyone. She has designed unique group exercise classes and programs for both adults and children with intellectual disabilities and autism.
As the mother and sister of individuals with intellectual disabilities, Carol has seen firsthand the barriers that they face on a daily basis. This has fueled her advocacy for inclusion and her mission to improve all aspects of life for people living with disabilities. Her deep desire is to see people with intellectual disabilities participate in every aspect of life, from sports to employment.
Through her work and advocacy, Carol is determined to see more people with disabilities working and participating in every fitness centre across Australia. She believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to exercise and to live life to the fullest, regardless of their abilities.
ENABLE CO PRESENTER: Caitlin Syer
Meet Caitlin Syer, an Australian woman who is living proof that disability is not a limitation but an opportunity to inspire and make a difference. Caitlin lives with an intellectual disability and dyspraxia, but her disability does not define her. Instead, it has fueled her passion to advocate for people living with disabilities and work towards improving their lives.
Caitlin's unwavering dedication to her advocacy work has earned her a position on the Victorian Disability Advisory Council, where she works closely with the Victorian Minister of Disability to improve all aspects of life for people with disabilities. She is also a member of the Knox Council Disability Advisory board and works at the Victorian Public Sector Commission.
But Caitlin's advocacy work is just one aspect of her life. She is also an avid AFL football player, competing in an accessible competition. Caitlin's determination, resilience, and positive attitude have inspired many people, both with and without disabilities.
Caitlin's story is a reminder that everyone has the potential to make a difference, regardless of their circumstances. She is an inspiration to us all and proof that disability does not define a person's capabilities.
Enrol now in ENABLE
Empowering Inclusive Fitness Instructors to Create Engaging and Effective Classes for All Participants
Are you ready to create inclusive and engaging experiences that leave your participants feeling empowered and accomplished? Look no further than ENABLE, the ONLY program of its kind that...
- Teaches you how to design fun and effective exercises for people with disabilities, so you can provide a holistic program that caters to everyone's needs.
- Shows you how to communicate effectively and avoid offensive language or behaviours, so you can build trust with your participants and make them feel welcome and valued.
- Equips you with strategies for managing different behaviours, so you can handle any situation confidently and professionally.
- Guides you in creating appropriate and engaging exercises for all participants, so you can keep everyone interested and motivated.
- Helps you monitor the right intensity and avoid injuries so that you can create a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.
At ENABLE, we understand the importance of creating a positive and inclusive environment for fitness classes. With our program, you'll learn the skills and strategies to become an empowered and effective fitness instructor. So if you're ready to finally create the engaging and effective classes you've always dreamed of while avoiding the common pitfalls of the industry, enrol in ENABLE today!
Module 1
Supporting Individuals with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions
This module will cover various disabilities and mental health conditions, such as intellectual disability, mental illness, autism, neurological disorders, dyspraxia, and obesity. It will highlight the impact of these conditions on families and the wider community, and emphasize the importance of considering diversity within disability, including intersectionality with other identities and the different needs that may arise.
Module Highlights:
- Understanding the Impact of Disabilities on Individuals and Society
- Examining Diversity within Disability
- Developing Strategies for Promoting Inclusion
Module 2
Inclusive Fitness & Playful Workouts
In this module, we'll focus on providing you with the tools, knowledge, and skills you need to lead safe, engaging, and effective exercise sessions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. We'll also provide you with guidelines for adapting activities to meet the unique needs of different individuals and offer tips for creating a safe and inclusive environment.
Module Highlights:
- Tailored activities: Learn how to adapt and modify these activities to meet the unique needs of different individuals, ensuring that everyone can participate safely and comfortably.
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Inclusive approach: Learn how to create an atmosphere that promotes inclusivity and encourages participation, while also providing guidelines for adapting activities to meet diverse needs.
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Safety guidelines: Learn safety guidelines and best practices for leading sessions, including tips for preventing injuries and creating a safe environment for all participants.
Module 3
Preparation and Inclusion: Strategies for Accessible Fitness Classes
In this module, we'll cover how to prepare for classes, the use of music in fitness, and creating an inclusive environment. Get the tools and strategies you need to make a positive impact in creating accessible fitness classes for individuals with diverse needs.
Module Highlights:
- Strategies for selecting appropriate activities and adapting them to meet diverse needs
- Insights from an inclusion expert on how to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in your fitness classes
- Techniques for removing barriers and promoting accessibility in fitness classes.
I have learnt much more doing this course and it has given me a wider scope of variety and better understanding. Thank you, Marietta, and especially Carol Syer and her daughter Caitlin. You are all very inspiring people and what our society needs to educate further our not so well knowledge of disability inclusion in our society. This course was very informative. It has made a world of difference when providing exercise for people living with a disability.
Bernadette O'Hara: GROUP FITNESS EXPERT
Enrol now in ENABLE
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