Dr. Sarah Moore is an assistant professor and adapted physical activity researcher at Dalhousie鈥檚 School of Health and Human Performance. In Moore鈥檚 third- and fourth-year classes, students complete a volunteer placement in parasport.
Parasports are physical activities adapted for those living with disabilities. There are nearly 6.2 million Canadians living with a disability, and according to Dr. Moore, they have fewer opportunities to participate in play, physical activity, and sport compared with their able-bodied peers. In parasport programs, children and adults living with disability participate in physical activities such as sledge hockey, boccia, wheelchair basketball, therapeutic horseback riding, dance, paraskiing, and powerchair soccer.
鈥淧arasport programs in Nova Scotia allow people with disabilities to engage in meaningful activities, build their skills and friendships, and improve their overall health and wellbeing,鈥� says Dr. Moore.
Adapted sport is growing in Nova Scotia, and Dalhousie鈥檚 School of Health and Human Performance students are getting first-hand experience in parasport through their coursework.
Building relationships
One of the programs at which students volunteer is with Easter Seals, a disability service organization. Dr. Moore鈥檚 students are responsible for developing and leading drills, games and scrimmages, and providing evidence-based one-on-one coaching. Through this they build therapeutic relationships with their participants.
鈥淭he partnership forged over the last few years between Easter Seals inclusive sports programs and Dalhousie鈥檚 School of Health and Human Performance has quite literally been a game changer鈥� says Joanne Bernard, CEO of Easter Seals Nova Scotia. 鈥淭he passion and commitment of Dr. Sarah Moore is shared by her students who show up every week in every way. The kids and older adults with disabilities benefit so wonderfully from the commitment and expertise these students bring to every game. Sarah and I work together to ensure each participant plays the best they can while having fun.鈥�
Dr. Moore says it鈥檚 a 鈥渕utually beneficial relationship鈥� and a 鈥渟ustainable volunteer model.鈥� The organizations get a flow of qualified volunteers, and students get an opportunity to experience their degree program in a new space.
The placements aren鈥檛 meant to be just a required assignment for students, but an experience they can take with them beyond graduation.
鈥淰olunteering with the Learn to Sledge and Dance programs this term has been one of the best and most rewarding experiences I鈥檝e ever had,鈥� says Derica Poirier, a kinesiology student in the School of Health and Human Performance. 鈥淭he kids show up with so much excitement and it鈥檚 incredible to watch them grow together every season. These programs truly provide the experience of a lifetime, not only for the children but for everyone involved and I鈥檓 so grateful to be a part of something so meaningful and impactful.鈥�
Dr. Moore herself is on the Board of Directors for Easter Seals and is the head coach of the Easter Seals Learn to Sledge and Wheel programs as well as HRMs Powerchair Soccer program.
She says she deeply values volunteerism and that the service-learning opportunities in her various classes 鈥渇osters community citizenship and allows students to appreciate and value play, physical activity, and sport for people living with disability.鈥�
"Though this experience I hope my students see that volunteering is powerful 鈥� and inclusion is paramount.鈥�