DUBAI: The Australian International Swim Schools (AISS)’s unique project to help disabled people is doing wonders for those who once thought getting into the water would never be a possibility.
Other than offering disabled people with special training courses, UAE-based AISS also ensures swimming brings a sea-change in their normal life.
“Swimming has an amazing influence on the quality of life,” said AISS managing director Kirk Marks. “It provides something where for the first time they can move freely. It also allows them the opportunity to integrate with others and achieve goals and to be fully supported and often move in ways that were not possible before they started swimming,” he added.
Disability access
AISS has been operating in Dubai since 2009 and has been focused on developing high quality and effective learn to swim programmes using the Australasian Council for Teaching Swimming and Water Safety AUSTSWIM method which is recognised as one of the best and most successful in the world.
“We offer disability access programmes through AISS. We often attend peoples’ villas so that the participant is in a familiar environment and feels comfortable. For those who are mobile we offer lessons at several venues throughout Dubai including dedicated indoors and outdoors facilities. Our instructors are trained to work with people with special needs or those who require additional attention,” he explained.
The programmes cater to people suffering from many disabilities such as autism, dementia, Huntington, Down syndrome, asthma and many more. “We specifically cater to people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, allowing for the most effective learning experience,” said Marks.
AISS also provides specialised training for teachers, giving them full knowledge of handling disabled swimmers. “We are the training body for AUSTSWIM. We conduct training courses for teachers for disabilities. The course is conducted by industry experts,” said Marks.
The programmes, which were launched recently in the UAE, have seen slow but encouraging progress, said Marks.
“I have been working with disability programmes since 1980. I was motivated to work on the first AUSTSWIM textbooks in Australia, which included specific sections on working with disabled swimmers. In the past 30 or so years there have been many effective developments and advances in the programmes and we now offer a comprehensive and vast array of programmes,” he said.
Other than stressing the advantages in terms of a healthy living, Marks said disabled people can also dream of entering competitions. “Swimming can overcome problems like obesity and diabetes. The reduction in weight allows many to stand and walk and move freely.
“There is now a whole series of competitions for people with disabilities and these competitions allow many to go on to be representatives of their countries in the Paralympics. So if they are good they can give it a try,” he said.ompetitions allow many to go on to be representatives of their countries in the Paralympics. So if they are good they can give it a try,” he said.
For more details contact austswim@me.com or swim@aiss.ae. Call 04-3211848 or 056-637978.
