ZERO LIMITS
A school based program designed as a way to integrate mainstream school students with disabled students by ‘buddying’ them up in two man kayaks.
Integrated into school Senior PE Curriculum.
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The Zero Limits program is designed to integrate people with disabilities into the physical activity programs of schools, to help break down stereotypes and encourage a better understanding of the specific needs of all individuals, with or without disabilities.
Kayaking becomes the focus of the activities, when senior secondary school students paddle as ‘buddies' with people with special needs. The Zero Limits program aligns with the expected outcomes of the PE Curriculum within the schooling system and is implemented as a way for students to gain a co-ordination skill set as well as a sense of community awareness and fellowship for people with disabilities. |
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This program provides intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for all participants, by providing a safe, secure medium where individuals can successfully interact, to work together to produce common outcomes through the physical challenge of kayaking.
In 2005, Zero Limits proudly received the Prime Minister's Award
for Excellence in Community and Business Partnerships.
Zero Limits enables students to work alongside other children with disabilities as “buddies” on the water giving them a better understanding and appreciation of each other’s abilities and diverse needs.
This hands-on approach involves learning by doing, - allowing all to “walk a mile” in another’s shoes, developing a group of “givers”, not “takers” whilst developing compassion which changes an individual’s beliefs forever.
This program also has the potential to further enhance the school’s culture, caring for all individuals and focusing on others needs. The school community is enriched due to the significant, tangible and long-term outcomes of this program.
Zero Limits enables potential volunteering opportunities for students who develop an interest in pursuing interaction with people with disabilities and developing additional skills through more advanced training in this field. Additional opportunities exist for students to act as companions, friends and carers for people with disabilities outside of school hours.
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Implementation of Zero Limits into Schools
- An 80 minute presentation on disability to the able bodied students by keynote speakers prior to the kayaking component of the course
- Students from the mainstream schools meet with students from the special school to meet their ‘buddy’ for the duration of the course.
- A program can be tailored to your specific needs and timeframe.
For example this program can follow Bio-mechanics. A 5 week kayaking activities program commences during periods set aside for physical education with intermittent discussions in the classroom designed for students to develop strategies and innovative ideas to benefit those children who are disabled.
For further information on how to get involved with Zero Limits
please contact our Project Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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