Children with disabilities/mobility challenges

[Corine Anderson]

Hi,

 I'm looking for people who are working to enhance outdoor play for children and/or adults with disabilities. Please tell me if you know of anyone who is doing good work, especially if they might be interested in presenting at a conference.

Thanks everyone,

Corine

[Bernard Joyce]

Hi Corine

I have worked in a school with children with learning disabilities as music therapist and I also work with mainstream schools in developing outdoor education programmes. I have also worked for a number of years with young adults with Autism and also with people with physical disabilities.

A number of years ago I was involved in setting up a "Riding for Disabled" group where children and adult with a wide variety of disabilities learned to ride horses. I found this a great way of getting people outside and enjoying nature. Riding for Disabled is a worldwide organisation as far as I know and relies on specially trained volunteers.

I'm not sure if you've seen the film the Horse Boy but worth a look and also the work of the Horse Boy Foundation http://www.horseboyfoundation.org/

Oh by the way I am in Ireland and assuming that you are in the US?

[Juliet Robertson]

Hi Corine

I don't think I'm the right person to present at a conference (I'm booked solid til May 13 for presentations and training( but you may be interested in my blog. I don't advertise the matter but I work one day per week with children aged 5-12yrs with a variety of disabilities - many autism and Down's Syndrome. Many of my blog posts are about activities I undertake with these children so my blog, I'm a teacher, get me OUTSIDE here! may be of use and interest to others.

Best wishes

Juliet

[Corine Anderson]

Thanks Bernard. I am in Canada. Thanks Juliet. I'll pass your info along. If you know of or hear about anyone else please let me know...

Bernard Joyce said:

Hi Corine

I have worked in a school with children with learning disabilities as music therapist and I also work with mainstream schools in developing outdoor education programmes. I have also worked for a number of years with young adults with Autism and also with people with physical disabilities.

A number of years ago I was involved in setting up a "Riding for Disabled" group where children and adult with a wide variety of disabilities learned to ride horses. I found this a great way of getting people outside and enjoying nature. Riding for Disabled is a worldwide organisation as far as I know and relies on specially trained volunteers.

I'm not sure if you've seen the film the Horse Boy but worth a look and also the work of the Horse Boy Foundation http://www.horseboyfoundation.org/

Oh by the way I am in Ireland and assuming that you are in the US?