BWSW is committed to ensuring that our sport is open and accessible to all. We are keen to support all those involved within our sport and provide the knowledge, learning and skills for you to feel confident when introducing new people to our sport.

We are very excited to share some disability workshop opportunities that we have organised. These workshops are intended to both improve your personal understanding and give you the tools to help you support individuals within our sport who have disabilities.

Free Online Autism Awareness Workshop (Wednesday 14th May 6.30pm) - available to all current BWSW members

This online workshop will provide a general overview for individuals to help understand what Autism is, what it can mean for a person and will look at challenges that some individuals with Autism may face. The workshop will also offer some learning on advice as to how to support some of the challenges an individual with Autism may face. There will be time at the end of the workshop for you to ask questions.

We are offering this workshop to all current BWSW members. Perhaps you have a family member, friend or you may have an active role in supporting and introducing newcomers to our sport - we hope you will join this session so you have a greater understanding of neurodiversity. Everyone should be able to participate in our sport and to feel included, therefore it is important that we provide as much support to you as possible so you have the confidence when engaging with individuals who may require additional support.

The workshop will look to cover the following topics:

• Introduction to neurodiversity – how autism fits under the neurodiversity umbrella and other common co-occurring neurological differences, for example, ADHD and dyslexia
• What is autism? – How we understand and talk about autism
• Masking - different presentations (including autism in girls)
• The autism spectrum – what this means and diagnostic criteria
• Areas of difference: communication and interaction, a need for certainty and sensory processing differences
• Mental health – stress and anxiety
• Supportive strategies – these are highlighted throughout

Disability Training Workshop – For BWSW licensed instructors/coaches

BWSW, in partnership with Access Adventures, is offering 2 sessions for current active instructors/coaches on supporting disabled participation.

7th May at White Rose Water Ski Club in Brighouse, Yorkshire and 22nd May at Access Adventures, Staines, Surrey.

BWSW is committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcome to participate in our sport. To ensure that our current workforce who are the primary contact for new beginners participating in our sport for the first time, have the confidence and skills to support any individual, we have arranged for these two workshops.

Topics to be discussed are:

Adaptive Sport & Inclusivity
• Benefits of adaptive sport
• Barriers to participation
• Attitudes to disability
• How to be more inclusive
• Legal requirements
• Where to go for further help and support

Disability Knowledge
• Understand different disability types and associated impairments
• Focus on the functional impact of disabilities / impairments to determine how to support individuals safely & effectively within the sport

Adaptive Equipment & Coaching Approach
• Explore existing adaptive equipment and potential coaching / communication strategies

Skier Assessment
• How to assess the most appropriate equipment & coaching / communication approach

Practical Sessions
• Offers an ‘adaptive skier / rider experience’
• Assisting an adaptive skier/rider as an assisted seated skier for example

The cost of the full day session will be £20 but we are delighted to let you know that this cost will be taken off your next coach/instructor registration renewal fee.

Note: you will need to ensure your BWSW membership has been renewed and your coach/instructor licence is in date along with all the required certificates.

Register your interest here