National Adapted Physical Activity Conference
Release Date: Sep 24th, 2008
The National Adapted Physical Activity Conference is being hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT) in conjunction with the CARA National Adapted Physical Activity Centre and the Irish Sports Council. The ITT has been identified as the leading third level college in Adapted Physical Activity (APA) education in Ireland and is currently expanding its health and leisure degree to include an option to specialise in APA after second year.
Some of the most renowned names in Adapted Physical Activity will be speaking at the conference. 32 speakers in total form the impressive international line-up. Main international speakers will include Dr. Martin Block and Dr. Lauren Lieberman from the USA. Both have authored a number of books in the area and have a wealth of experience of successful inclusive programmes. Peter Downs from the Australian Sports Commission will talk about the successful “Connect” project in Australia and how we can learn from their experiences of making sports organisations inclusive.
Participation opportunities and professional development comprise the key themes of this year’s conference. Under these themes, national and international developments in the area of APA will be highlighted. Previous conferences in 2003 and 2005 focussed on practical ways of improving service provision in Ireland. Since the first conference there have been a number of positive developments in the area of APA including the recent establishment of a National Adapted Physical Activity Centre and the recruitment of 21 Sports Inclusion Disability Officers within Local Sports Partnerships who aim to increase participation of people with disabilities in physical activity in Ireland.
The conference will outline the positive developments that have taken place in Ireland and further afield. The presentations will inform people working in the area of APA what supports and training are available to assist their own ongoing professional development as well as give them additional knowledge in specific areas of interest. In addition to impressive presentations there will be a number of practical workshops to allow delegates to experience different methodologies of delivering a variety of activities in different settings e.g. disability and the outdoors.
For further details on the conference please contact Niamh Daffy at the CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre on 066 7145646 or
email apaconference@ittralee.ie