Title

The Benefits of an Educational Resource for Swim Instructors to Promote Inclusive Swimming

Authors

Ailien Nguyenly, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
Susan MacDermott, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
Karen Park, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
Becki Cohill, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow

Files

Description

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a training program for swim instructors to better interact with individuals with disabilities before, during, and after swim lessons. However, due to the current pandemic, an online educational resource was created instead.

The educational resource utilized an occupational therapy approach to meet swim instructors' identified needs to work with individuals with disabilities. The e-book was intended to lay a foundation of basic knowledge of conditions, resources, tools, adaptations and provide support to shape swim lessons around individual needs.

A qualitative research study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and usefulness of the educational resource to 74 participants.

The findings indicated the participants lacked formal training, knowledge and resources to teach individuals with disabilities but would like to learn. Due to the low participation rate for the post-survey, these results are worth mentioning as preliminary findings but are not significant enough to determine the effectiveness and usefulness of the educational resource.

This capstone project can continue to be explored in the future to support swim instructors by providing in-person, in-water, hands-on training with additional resources and tool, current information on conditions, and modifications specific to an individuals' condition. This capstone project also hopes to influence interest in swimming and other aquatic sports for all individuals.

Publication Date

4-15-2021

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Medical Subject Headings

Sports for Persons with Disabilities, Swimming, Occupational Therapy, Teacher Training, Qualitative Research, Surveys and Questionnaires

Disciplines

Health and Physical Education | Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on April 15, 2021.

Recommended Citation

Nguyenly, A., MacDermott, S., Park, K., & Cohill, B. (2021, April 15). The Benefits of an Educational Resource for Swim Instructors to Promote Inclusive Swimming. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2021/5