My name is Roy Court and I have been teaching the sport of judo to people with special needs, since the late seventies.
How did I get involved?
This question I am asked very frequently, the majority of people also ask if any of my children have a disability.
Firstly, I have no known member of my immediate or past relatives who have been diagnosed to have had special needs.
The reason I became involved was due to a young lady who was 7 years of age, who came to the entrance of the dojo where I was teaching a judo class. This young lady asked if she could join my classes (she had Downs Syndrome). Standing behind her was her mother making signs to me to tell her daughter NO.
I did not hesitate with my answer but said YES the young lady and her mother, stayed and watched the remainder of the session. From here I had my first student with special needs and a parent who eventually gained her Brown Belt and became a qualified coach and a great asset to me in my work from this day.
From this first session, learning about Downs Syndrome from the parent, gave me the opportunity to advertise sessions of judo for people with special needs. Little did I know at this time, where this was going to take me, or what difficulties I could incur along the way.
I decided to read up on all aspects of the disabilities, then within a few weeks, we started our very first judo session for people with special needs.
Yes, I did have reservations and doubts about some disabilities being able to participate, but decided in my own mind, whether it was a sign given to me from above, to promote the sport of judo for all, regardless of the disability.
Special Schools in the local area, started to hear about our class and asked if they could also have a weekly judo session, this now gave us 4 sessions weekly.
From here I decided to research into this project and was given a grant for the purpose of gaining the knowledge needed to expand this work in the sport of judo.
Due to these classes and the research, the Welsh Judo Association adopted a policy in its constitution of judo for all in its registered clubs, regardless of disability. The Sports Council for Wales at this time was putting together a programme on integration. I was asked to become involved in the pilot scheme of teaching the sport of judo alongside other sports in venues throughout Wales.
WISP (Welsh Integrated Sports Plan) was formed.
At one of these venues, while taking a session of judo, I noticed a young man in a wheelchair at the side of the mat, who was enjoying watching his wife who was Visually impaired participating. So for some unknown reason I approached the young man and asked if he wanted to participate also. But to my dismay, I was given many abusive remarks and he must have thought I was being abusive to him, seeing he had no use of his legs.
From here I walked to the other side of the mat and picked up a spare judo jacket and belt, then walked back to the young man and said if you want to participate put these on. I then carried on with my session and noticed this young man was ready to participate.
This participation now made me realise the sport can be for all, knowing he could not perform Tachiwaza he was very able in Newaza. This young man eventually gained his Brown Belt and became
a qualified judo coach.
With special needs classes, now starting in other parts of Wales, it was decided to apply for a grant to run Judo roadshows and participation days throughout every county and area in Wales. The aim of these events was to invite special schools and disability organisations in the area to come and try the sport, also invited were the local club judo coaches from that area. This was a major success, from here WISP JUDO arrived.
After speaking at many conferences about this work in the sport of judo, Wales were invited to send a team of mixed disabilities to give a demonstration at the World Disabled Games in St Ettienne France in 1990.
At this stage in our progress, we did not have a system of promotion through the grades. Which would be suitable for our judoka, who were unable to take the mainstream examinations, neither did we have a set of competition rules which could be used, bearing in mind the disabilities and the safety aspect of our work.For local club mini competions, we adapted the mainstream rules to suit the disability. For promotion examinations, many systems were tried over the years until we came across the success of the system shown in this manual. Another question was asked of us. Do we let the students wear normal colour judo belts? What will happen if a student who has a disability, which cannot be immediately seen, visits another judo club or event and gets seriously injured.
This we have overcome in Wales by, giving them a judo belt of the appropriate grade, but every coloured belt has a red band through the middle and throughout the length. Now if any student from Wales attends another judo club or event, it will be instantly recognisable to coaches and judoka that there is something different.
Being now appointed the Welsh Judo Association Liaison Officer for Special Needs, I again applied for a grant from the Wales Sports Council, to visit and research the work in another European country, this country being the Netherlands.
I embarked on a 10 day visit, being hosted by the Netherlands Special Olympics Director and the Netherlands Judo Association Director, who had arranged a programme of visits to various judo clubs, culminating in a competition called the Wessennen Olympiade, which had over 400 judoka with special needs participating. At this event I witnessed the presentation of the Black Belt to a Dutch Downs Syndrome judoka. The belt was presented by one of the countries famous judo players, Mr Anton Geesink.
From this visit I was invited the following year to participate with a team from Wales. Teams from Wales and UK teams have now participated in competitions throughout Europe: Holland/Sweden/Finland/Belgium/Germany/Slovenia, we have also now run many events throughout the UK.
During these years of progression, we were looking for ways of progressing to a higher level of competition for our students, so enquiries were made to the Special Olympics Movement of which judo was a banned sport within its organisation. With many European countries now with special needs students organising events and competitions outside of the movement, it was decided by Special Olympics Europe / Eurasia to put together a task force to discuss the possibility of the sport of judo, entering into the movement.
From here the sport of judo was given demonstration status at the Special Olympics European Summer Games in Gronnigen Holland in the year 2000. In June 2003, the sport of judo was a demonstration sport for the very first time at the World Special Olympic Summer Games in Dublin Ireland. The work of this task force as gone from strength to strength in the Special Olympic Movement, with a European conference held in Holland in November 2003 and a task force committee elected. The next step for us now is to hold the first Special Olympics European Judo Championships, culminating with the sport becoming an official sport within the Special Olympics Movement at the 2007 World Summer Special Olympic Games in Shangai. China.
Do we intend to stop here?
NO, we are now working closely with the EJU (European Judo Union) who are putting together a special programmes document to implement into its constitution. In the coming years we hope they will be able to hold a European Judo Championships for all disabilities. From here with our contacts and support from outside of Europe, we will hopefully convince the IJF (International Judo Federation) to hold the first ever World Championships for all disabilities.
Now you have a brief history of this work and some vision of where we are aiming to go in the future which will give you and your fellow judoka the confidence to promote this work in your own countries and regions.
I do not believe in classing myself has an expert, but believe we all have ideas and ways that can help each other. Its only by working together can we ensure that judoka are safe and have a fair and meaningful event.
Good luck in your quest of Judo FOR All.
In todays society some people have a stigma or belief about people with disabilities.
Everyone is a human being regardless of ethnic origin or disability, some might have a defect or illness within their body, which slightly differs from others, should this disqualify them from participation?
It is a well known saying and belief that sport/health and fitness helps to prolong life, by disqualifying people with disabilities, it could shorten their life span?
People with disabilities have their defect through no fault of their own, some have had accidents later in life, and some were born with their disability. They had no say in how they came into this world.
In the sporting world rules were made for the ideal sporting human being, with no consideration given to those people with disabilities.
Now in the 21st century we have come to realise and understand more about disabilities and the needs of the disabled performer.
Rules can be changed and adapted to allow participation by all, which again, not only thinking about sport, it will enhance life in the community and home for all concerned. This will make it a better and more caring society in todays world.
Although this judo project is not quite perfect yet, inroads are being made with various organisations, countries to ensure that this project will succeed on an integrated and fair basis for everyone.
There are going to be disagreements, problems arising, as in all things in todays society, I also suppose politics will play a big part in the discussions on how things progress, but with the correct education and working practical situations, we can ensure that we can play our part in prolonging the life and giving participation opportunities to all people in our society.
It must also be noted, because of the number and various forms of disabilities, not all will be able to participate, perhaps due to the equipment needed or used in different sports.
This should not deter people from the sport, due to all sports having/needing many other uses of the human being I.E. Officials/Judges/Referees.
So has you can see and become aware of the opportunities, that can become available for all in the sport and perhaps other activities in todays society.
I have been involved in coaching people with disabilities in sport for the past 30 years, I am a qualified coach in Judo/Football/ Weight-training and Power-lifting and have coached disabled people in all the above. I am also a qualified sports leader, which enables me to coach other sports at the preliminary level.
I have had many experiences in this work many good and some, which I would like to forget, but I would do it all again. Although I have coached many disabilities, those with behavioural problems, seem to be the ones that need most attention. But this situation or disability, sometimes cannot be seen but is ignited by a past memory or boredom. I have been bitten/stoned /sworn at/punched and called many things, but have overcome the majority of these situations and gained the respect of the athlete.
I have also gained great satisfaction in coaching and have met and made many new friends. I have never classed myself has an expert and never will, because it is my belief that we are all still learning at whatever degree or level we may have qualifications. But I have encountered these experts, they know it all and will not deviate from their systems or ways. I am a great believer in listening and watching others and learning.
Sport should be fun and enjoyed at whatever level we play at, its the athletes we do this for, not for the glory of the coach, or for the coach to gain awards or receive funding.
People with disabilities or special needs are not only capable of taking part in sport and physical activity, and enjoying it, but some of them will also be extremely good at their chosen events.
Disabled people must have the right to choose which activities they pursue and to participate in them in the widest sense their abilities will allow as performers, officials, helpers or administrators.
Sport for disabled people should not be seen purely in terms of therapy but in terms of the same benefits of social contact, health and fun that the able bodied enjoy.
For some disabled people, it is important that there are clubs and sessions reserved exclusively for those with specific disabilities. This particularly applies where those who are susceptible to injury need to avoid the risk of accidents, or where people wish to learn a sport in company with those similarly disabled. It may well be after a short period of time this latter group will wish to join an integrated club, and participate on equal terms with the able bodied.
WHAT DOES SPECIAL NEEDS MEAN
In this manual we have spoken about, disabilities / handicaps / able-bodied and special needs. It is difficult to find the correct terminology without our minds thinking of discrimination.
Below are some meanings taken from the English Dictionary?
Race, contest, in which chances are equalised by weights carried, starts etc, condition so imposed, disadvantage.
Thing that disables; drawback.
Particular, peculiar, designed for a particular purpose.
Robust, first class, seaman.
These words might not be what we are looking for in this project, but to ensure the health/safety of our players some divisioning will have to take place, to ensure a path or recognition is recognised by all in the sport.
Special needs encompass many people, from the very young to the elderly, from able-bodied to people with a disability.
Some people with low education standards are sometimes referred to as having special needs also.
We in the judo world are now well equipped to implement all people into our sport regardless of terminology. We offer the right to sport for all in judo.
Can I come in?
This is the question being asked by many disabled people today, especially the young, who want the opportunity to share with their able bodied friends, activities of their choice.
What do we mean by disability?
Disability can take many forms some young people suffer from major physical disabilities, such as being blind, deaf or suffering from a disabling illness. Some are
Mentally disabled and others suffer from disabilities which one cannot immediately recognise, but which are Justas much a handicap asthma, epilepsy and diabetes for example. Even if your premises are unsuitable for one type of disability, that by no means rules out the others.
What about the reactions of other members and staff?
You may feel that other members would not like having disabled people around, and that the staff would not know what to do or how to handle the situation. If there is reticence, it will often be caused by fear, ignorance or embarrassment by both disabled and able bodied. These attitudes can create far greater barriers than any problems of access, but will often disappear in the friendly atmosphere of the club, provided the effort is made to involve both groups. This is particularly true if the disabled have been in regular contact with the able bodied people of their own age. If this is not the case, it may be necessary to involve them with a small group of regular members first. Both disabled and able-bodied can feel threatened (as most young people would) if they are suddenly thrust into new situations without any preparation. However, young people are often more adaptable than leaders imagine and will soon treat the disabled member as an equal, whether he is different of not. Generally there is no need to make any special allowances for the disabled members, except the obvious ones such as when someone needs lifting upstairs. The important thing is that the young people treat each other first as friends, nothing more or less and the day your members dont go around opening doors for their disabled friends, youll know they are accepted! You will also find that the personalities of disabled young people varies as much as those of the able bodied, so dont be surprised if the usual problems still occur!
Will we need to have lots more helpers if disabled people come along? What guidance will helpers need?
Often for the few disabled people coming along, there will be no special need for extra helpers. After a short while the help needed will usually be offered by the able bodied members in the normal course of friendship. Clearly any responsible leader needs to know the nature of the disability, any special problems, what to do in an emergency and explain these to others. It might be useful in the early days to talk things over with someone who has had experience of the problems, but the best educator is the disabled person himself, who will explain what help, is or is not needed. Some disabled people may use alphabet boards or other speech aids, and it is important to remember that a speech defect does not imply mental disability. Staff may also need a gentle reminder about not making special allowances in regard to club rules and standards, so that as far as is practical, everyone in the organisation is treated the same and everyone is aware of that.
Look Before You Leap
Sports and people with Downs Syndrome
The following questions and answers set out the facts and recommendations of MENCAPS Medical Advisory panel.
Q What is Atlanto-Axial Instability?
A It is a greater than normal mobility of the two upper cervical vertebrae at the top of the neck. People who have this could be at risk of serious injury if they forcibly flex the neck because the vertebrae may shift and thereby squeeze or sever the spinal cord.
Atlanto-Axial Instability was first described in the 1830s but it was not linked with Downs Syndrome until the 1960s. Many people have gone undiagnosed or have been misdiagnosed.
Q How many people are at risk?
It should be emphasised that the vast majority (i.e. 90% or more) of people with Downs Syndrome do not have this condition and are not at any greater risk of harm than other people.
Q How are people screened for Atlanto-Axial Instability?
A By X-ray examination of the neck, the presence of Atlanto-Axial Instability can be seen and people who may be at risk can be identified. This screening is an entirely safe procedure, much like screening for lung disease by taking chest X-rays.
Q Who should be screened by X-ray?
This might be a coaches dilemma, always think safety of the athlete first.
The Structure in the UK
Bja Disability Commission
SN JUDO COMMITTEEWJA SN JUDO / SJA SN JUDO / EJA SN JUDO / NIJA SN JUDO
Wales Scotland England North Ireland
Will consist of 1 Director/Officer from SN JUDO Committee
Will consist of the chairperson or nominee of each home union, plus a nominee of the home countries refereeing official, with the Chairman being the BJA Inclusion Elected chairman.
These committees will be made up of representatives involved in the project throughout the governing bodies designated areas/regions. Committees must have representatives from Coaching/Refereeing/Timekeeping and Recorders.
Each committee will have a constitution, which will be drawn up in line with the executive committee guidelines. They will manage their own accounts and provide an annual audited set of accounts to the SN JUDO Committee.
These new organisations will not discriminate against any disability/sex/religion/nationality of any person eligible to participate
COACHING PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
DO WE HAVE TO BE A SPECIAL PERSON/COACH?
Through Experience and having no knowledge of disabilities at the beginning of my coaching career, I have now passed on my experiences, good and bad, to many others in the judo world.
It is my belief that disabled people of all disabilities can be coached to have an involvement in the sport of judo. Whether it is of a competitive - demonstrative or educational event. This can also be applied to other areas of our sport, like refereeing and table officials.
Most disabled judoka involved in our sport at present have what is termed as a learning disability/mental handicap or mental retardation. The coaching of these athletes is very similar to coaching at mainstream level, with the only difference being, you might have to give your instructions many times before it is understood and digested. You might have to adjust your coaching techniques to suit this individual, buy adapting a simplified form of learning. Basically these athletes at the higher level or the sport can and are able to participate in club sessions with mainstream judoka.
These would be the most prominent competitive judoka.
Again in this category we will come across judoka with a mental disability perhaps combined with a behavioural disability or physical disability. These athletes need more care and attention. It has been found through experience the athletes with a behavioural problem react to judo in a disciplined way due to it being a contact and aggressive sport. With the discipline involved in the sport it makes it easier to correct the individual. It is advisable at first with the disability to keep them in an individual specific special needs group session.
This judoka I would put in the demonstrative category, perhaps kata events.
The athletes with a mental and physical disability will now test your coaching mind. You will find the main reason for this will be the physical disability causing a balance difficulty for the athlete so your adaptation of techniques and skills will be very important for this athlete. Some of these athletes will be in the competitive event and others in the demonstrative event.
Our visually impaired and hearing impaired judoka are able to participate in mainstream sessions and would come under the competitive level. But help is needed at these sessions with partners for the visually impaired. For the hearing impaired your skills of communication are most important, especially your presence and position on the tatami, when facing and giving instructions. These judoka are of sound mind and can digest information and instructions quite easily.
Our next largest percentage of judoka participating would be those with a physical disability, mainly cerebral palsy, which normally affects the lower limbs in our competitors already participating. These are mainly of sound mind and can absorb instructions quite quickly. These athletes that can participate standing could be in the competitive and demonstrative events. Coaching these athletes needs your coaching ability to select/adapt and formulate judo throwing techniques which will enable them to participate in a standing event without losing their balance, counter techniques are sometimes more adaptable to these athletes.
Below these we have beginners and perhaps those with one or more disabilities, who only want to participate for fun and enjoyment. These might be athletes who are very weak or those that can only start in the newaza situation. We do hold competitor events in national federations for the more experienced and knowledgeable athletes.
This group could be classed in the demonstrative event but most of the weaker athletes will be able to cope better in the educative events. Although if newaza contest starts were eligible in the high ranging events some of these judoka would be in the competitive level.
When taking on students with disabilities into your local club sessions, firstly find out from the parents or carers some background information on the disability and ailments and temperament, especially if they have epileptic seizures. What medication do they take?
It would be knowledgeable for all coaches to attend a Disability Awareness Course prior to teaching athletes with special needs. It is always advisable to gain a little knowledge prior to taking on new students. Coaching judo is the easy part for coaches, adapting techniques and the repetitions of coaching these will be the task.
For the weaker or less able students a special needs class amongst their peer group is essential and proves less aggressive.
As coaches we are there to teach a sport, teaching moves or exercises specifically for therapy, or to help actions of bodily movements, just for therapeutic reasons is not why we are involved, there must be a willing contribution from the athlete to participate.
Use coaching aids for technique, doing things by numbers is easier for an athlete to absorb, put fun and games into sessions. This way you will find the athlete absorbs things quicker this way.
If you have students in your sessions who can only do newaza, take a class warm up from the ground, but if you have a mixed ability class/session do not get embarrassed by teaching techniques some in your session cannot do, they welcome a rest like all others. People with disabilities are quite aware that some exercises they cannot perform but quite understand in this situation. Your more able students and higher grades will be more than willing to have a short rest coaching a disabled athlete.
Every person has a right to participate but the coach must be willing and confident in coaching people who have disabilities.
Start small with a special needs mixed disability session, or restrict it to a certain individual disability session. Make sure you have help and if it is a mixed gender class, ensure you have male and female helpers.
The first couple of sessions you will find it very demanding, treat the athletes like you would treat other athletes in your classes, some athletes learning age is of a lower age than what they are, but discipline is very important, they understand discipline and it helps others in the session. A good system to ensure your sessions are controlled in the judo spirit is to have a small club award system once per month and nominate a judoka who perhaps is not the best exponent of the judo skills but has shown the true spirit of the sport of judo in the past month. Another way of doing this is to have a ladder or leader board system, which changes every week with the first position at the end of the month receiving the accolade.
When accepting athletes with downs-syndrome, it is important to check with the parents/guardians or carers, that they do not have Atlanto-Axial-Instability, which is a weakness in the neck which if prominent could cause a serious injury to themselves. It is documented that approximately one in ten could have this diagnosis.
There are many other prospective athletes with different disabilities, which we have not mentioned but ensure you have a little knowledge or advice on this ability. Autism/Amputees/Dwarfs/ADD/ADHD/ Dyspraxia and Dyslexia, perhaps some of these are not classed or labelled has having a disability, but you will find they are unable to withstand or participate in mainstream events/activities, so what options are open to them?
Another discussion point we will be asked, is how do we grade or promote a special needs or disabled judoka?
This I have found to be a discriminative discussion point, some athletes have a visual disability, but many do not have any distinguishable features.
Do we give athletes normal colour plain judo belts like in mainstream judo?
Will this cause a risk factor if an athlete visits another club and gets injured due to the coach not seeing any distinguishable features.
Distinguishable belts?
Badge on Judogi?
A special judo licence?
There are many ideas and systems like this operating within National Federations in Europe, but we must think of the safety of the athlete. So in your club ensure you have a system that, puts your own mind at ease.
THE COACH
COACH A NORMAL SESSION
OBSERVE THE DISABILITIES
ALLOW FOR THE DISABILITY
CONSIDERATION CO-OPERATION CO-ORDINATION
HUMOUR IN THE SESSION
REMEMBER THE GAME
EVALUATE THE DISABILITY
FURTHER YOUR COMMUNICATION WITH HAND MOVEMENTS
ENDEAVOUR TO USE COMMON SENSE
REFEREE WITH A SMILE
ETIQUETTE IS IMPORTANT
ENJOY YOURSELF