Позитивные изменения, Том 3 №1, 2023. Positive changes. Volume 3, Issue 1 (2023) - Редакция журнала «Позитивные изменения»

INLIFE

General Developmental Programs of Physical Education and Sports Orientation for Children with Disabilities.

http://inlife.care

INLIFE Adaptive Sports Center is a project that teaches adaptive sports, including figure skating, to children with special needs.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

Numerous studies have proven that physical education and sports are the most important methods of successful socialization, rehabilitation and adaptation to adult life in children and adolescents with disabilities. However, not all regions of the Russian Federation allow children with disabilities to attend sports sections or therapeutic physical education classes. The reasons are varied: from lack of specialists and infrastructure and low financial status of the parents of children with disabilities, to insufficient awareness among parents about the possibility of receiving habilitation assistance. A survey of parents, conducted by the INLIFE Adaptive Sports Center, showed that 95.7 % address the problem of their child’s rehabilitation on their own. At the same time, 100 % of parents are interested in receiving assistance from the state.

The INLIFE project is designed to create conditions for children with mental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), delayed mental and speech development (DMSD), hearing-impaired children and children with a mild form of cerebral palsy to practice adaptive sports.

METHODS USED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

INLIFE Adaptive Sports Center started in 2019 with figure skating training for children with mental disabilities. Two branches opened in Moscow region later; during the pandemic, the center was forced to go online. The Center founder is Zhanna Soroka, Master of Sports of the Soviet Union in figure skating and a member of the Moscow Figure Skating Federation.

INLIFE Adaptive Sports Center sees its mission in improving the quality of life for children with disabilities through adaptive sports. To achieve this goal, the organization pays special attention to the following:

• the program participants’ results;

• continuous personnel training and professional development.

The center’s specialists have developed their own methodology for training coaches and tutors, called “Specifics of Interaction Between a Figure Skating Coach and a Support Specialist (Tutor) in the Process of Teaching Children with Mental Disabilities.” The program is designed for 72 academic hours. In June 2019, the methodology developed received a positive review from the Expert Committee of the Inter-Institution Council of the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sports, Youth and Tourism, and was recommended for publication and use in the educational process. In 2020/2021 the course was included in the professional development programs of the Russian University of Sports (SCOLIPE).

Currently, offline classes are held at two branch offices of the Center: SPEC Salute in Dolgoprudny, and Vladimir Petrov Arena in Krasnogorsk. Regular children and children with mental disabilities ages 4 to 18 can attend the figure skating and general physical education classes. A tutor accompanies them during training sessions. An individual learning trajectory is developed for each child for group sessions. Children and parents also have the opportunity to receive psychological counseling on a regular basis.

The Adaptive Sports Center services are also available online, on a special platform that allows organizing the learning process. The platform includes:

• A syllabus;

• All theoretical materials required;

• Videos of the suggested exercises;

• Video conferencing for online classes;

• Feedback from the coach and the psychologist;

• Learning progress tracking;

• An incentives program for students.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

Winner of the 2019 “Mama Entrepreneur” Program in Moscow Region.

Finalist of the 2021 “Towards Impact Startups” competition by the “Reach for Change” Foundation.

Grantee of the Vladimir Potanin Foundation in 2023. The “Figure Skating for All” professional development program (extended adaptive figure skating practices in Moscow and the Moscow region) was one of the laureates of the “Sports Platoon” competition, part of the “Power of Sports” charity program.

FUNDS RAISED IN 2022

• Private donations – about 70,000 rubles total;

• Parents’ subscription fees – about 50,000 rubles;

• Voluntary contribution for statutory activities – 30,000 rubles.

WHAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR

• Individual skating lessons for children with various diseases – more than 100 hours;

• Full-time adaptive physical education classes – more than 35 hours;

• Online classes in adaptive physical education and adaptive volleyball – more than 70 hours;

• Active work on raising grant support for the center.

DIRECT RESULTS FOR 2022

Fifteen children with mental disabilities aged 5 to 18 completed personal and remote training.

SOCIAL EFFECTS ACHIEVED IN 2022

The following social impact assessment indicators were used:

• The percentage of children in the group with decreased incidence of acute respiratory infections;

• Indicators demonstrating the individual success of children in the group (endurance and motor coordination activity);

• The percentage of children involved in classes. After three to six months of regular exercise, the center’s specialists noted:

1. The incidence of acute respiratory viral infections decreased by more than 30 % among the children in the group.

2. The children can do 8–10 squats and push-ups without interruption (1–3 times without interruption before the training).

3. The children have learned how to interact with teachers and other students. Previously, they were distracted by each other, did not repeat exercises after the trainer, did not listen to the attendant.

4. The children can attend physical education classes at school or in inclusive sports sections. Prior to the start of the training, group classes in school or sports sections had little effect. Classes at the center helped focus the students’ attention and set up a dialogue with teachers and tutors, develop rules of conduct and discipline.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

Improving the quality of life and health for children with mental disabilities.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY MODEL

• Parents’ subscription fees for tuition;

• Grant support;

• CSR (partnerships with companies);

• Public-private partnership;

• Support from the municipal budget;

• Support from the federal budget;

• Private charitable contributions.

Ob Forge

Cultural and Educational Activities in the Creative Industries.