The Institute for Physical Education and Sport (IPES), in collaboration with the Health, Physical Education and Consumer Studies (HPECS) Department within the Faculty of Education, and the US Embassy Valletta, in partnership with Special Olympics Malta, held a seminar on the 24 October 2019. The seminar, entitled 'Inclusion and Adaptive Sport' was held at the IPES.
The main presenters in this seminar were former US Olympic Swimming Champion Donna de Varona, US Special Olympics Swimming Coach Michele Carmichael, US Special Olympics double-silver medalist Swimmer Alec Heuermann, Alec’s mother Candace Capron and Mr David Evangelista, Special Olympics Regional President & Managing Director, Europe Eurasia. Donna de Varona was a strong proponent of Title IX, a federal civil rights law in the United States of America, passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972.
The ongoing discussion and presentations highlighted the value of inclusive societies and the importance of bringing together individuals, with and without intellectual disabilities, to engage through the power of sport. The seminar was well attended and participants were actively involved in the discussion.
On 25 October 2019, another session was held for all IPES students reading for a B.Sc. in Sport and Physical Activity as well as MTL Students specialising in PE. The speakers challenged the students to become agents of change in order to support and play a role in the life of young people with intellectual disabilities and to empower themselves to make a difference.
This seminar was the first in a series of CPD Seminars which are open to Physical Education graduates, teachers, IPES and Faculty of Education students, coaches, athletes and members of the public with an interest in the field. All participants were awarded a certificate of attendance.