Support participants with disabilities to take part in activities

​This standard is about enabling participants with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or sensory impairments take part in activities. This will usually take place in a health and fitness, sport or outdoor environment context. This standard focuses on the competences required for working with disabled participants.

This standard covers three main outcomes. These are:

1. identify the needs of disabled participants for the activity
2. adapt activities to the needs of disabled participants
3. meet the needs of disabled participants

This standard is intended for staff who work with disabled participants in either a health and fitness, sport and outdoor environment context. You must be trained and experienced in the activities you are leading and in working with disabled participants.

Identify the needs of disabled participants for the activity
P1 collect accurate information on the participant’s needs
P2 seek assistance from others to help interpret the information, where necessary
P3 make an assessment of the participant’s ability in regard to the activity
P4 record the information in accordance with organisational procedures
P5 identify the modifications to the activity and the support which the participant may need
Adapt activities to the needs of disabled participants
P6 make sure the planned goals for the activity are safe and realistic for the participant, whilst still providing opportunities for challenge and development
P7 structure and prepare for the activity so that it meets the participant’s needs, taking into account organisational regulations and procedures
P8 brief colleagues and others fully as to the nature of the activity and its goals
P9 make sure the participant can safely access the environment and equipment in which the activity will take place
P10 make sure that any support for the participant’s personal, medical and communications needs is available
P11 seek help when problems beyond your level of competence arise
Meet the needs of disabled participants
P12 communicate with the participant in a way which meets their needs
P13 check the participant’s level of understanding at all key points during the activity
P14 provide direct help during the activity only with the participant’s agreement
P15 provide a level of supervision throughout the activity which meets the participant’s safety, welfare and medical requirements
P16 review with the participant and others how well the activity and arrangements have met their needs
P17 work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols

​Identify the needs of disabled participants for the activity
K1 the importance of identifying what information you might need to collect on the participant’s needs
K2 how to collect information sensitively taking into account the needs of the participant
K3 the sources of help in interpreting information on disabilities
K4 how to make an assessment of the participant’s ability taking into account the inclusion model
K5 procedures for recording the information for future use
K6 the most common types of disability which you may come across and the implications of these for the activity
K7 how to identify the modifications to the activity, the support which the participant may need and procedures for checking these modifications with others
Adapt activities to the needs of disabled participants
K8 how to make sure the planned goals for the activity are safe and realistic for the participant, whilst still providing opportunities for development and challenge
K9 the value of sport, recreation and/or leisure activities to disabled participants and the importance of involving them to the best of their ability
K10 how to structure and prepare for the activity whilst following organisational regulations and procedures
K11 why it is important to brief colleagues and others fully as to the nature of the activity and its goals
K12 how to make sure the participant can safely access the environment and equipment in which the activity will take place
K13 why it is important to seek help when problems beyond your level of competence arise
Meet the needs of disabled participants
K14 how to communicate with the participant in a way which meets their needs
K15 why it is important to check the participant’s level of understanding at all key points during the activity and how to do this
K16 why it is important to gain the participant’s agreement when providing direct help during the activity
K17 how to provide a level of supervision throughout the activity which meets the participants’ safety and medical requirements
K18 why it is important to review with the participant and others how well the activity and arrangements has met their needs and how to do this
K19 the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere

​Information

1. nature of the disability
2. what the participant can do
3. requirements for access
4. special equipment used
5. preferred communication methods
6. safety requirements
7. welfare requirements
8. medical requirements

9. previous history of participation

​This standard links to SKAODP7 and SKAODP8