Physical disabilities and sports ~Wheelchair users~

Some wheelchair users use wheelchairs because they have functional impairments due to spinal cord injuries or cervical spinal cord injuries, or because they have difficulty standing due to cerebral palsy.Many wheelchair users have lower extremity impairments, but some people with upper extremity impairments use electric wheelchairs.

Communication considerations and points

Eliminating stairs and steps

Wheelchair users find it difficult to move around on their own when there are stairs or steps.If there is a slope or elevator nearby, we will guide you, but you should also know how to support your wheelchair, such as how to lift up steps.

Confirm the other person's intentions before writing for them

People with upper limb paralysis may not be able to write.If necessary, please call out to them and provide assistance such as ghostwriting.

Pay attention to the temperature inside the facility

Some wheelchair users are unable to regulate their body temperature.Please be especially careful to use air conditioners and fans to avoid getting too hot.As a preventive measure against heatstroke, it is also effective to use mist spray to lower your body temperature.

Adjust to the other person's perspective

When you use a wheelchair, your line of sight is lower, so if you talk to someone from a standing position, you may feel like you're being looked down upon.When talking to someone in a wheelchair, bend at the waist and make eye contact.

Sports for people with physical disabilities (wheelchairs)

Events include track and field, basketball, badminton, rugby, table tennis, fencing, and tennis, all using wheelchairs.There are also sports that you can do while riding in an everyday wheelchair.Swimming is also a popular sport.

Boccia was developed for people with severe disabilities who use wheelchairs, but now it has become a sport that anyone can enjoy together, regardless of their disability.

Wheelchair basketball
The size of the court, the height of the goal, the size of the ball, etc. are the same as regular basketball, and the rules are almost the same as regular basketball.

Boccia
It is performed individually, in pairs, and in groups.Players compete by throwing six red and six blue balls, rolling them, and hitting other balls to see how close they can get to a white ball called the jack ball (target ball).

Unicurl
A sport designed to allow curling, which is played on ice, to be enjoyed indoors.Instead of ice, a special slippery carpet is laid out and synthetic resin stones with handles are used. Teams of three players each take turns sliding three stones, competing to see how close they can get to the target.

To enjoy sports with people with physical disabilities (wheelchairs)

Some wheelchair users are able to stand, so be sure to ask in advance what kind of disability they have.

Know the degree of disability

Even though everyone is a wheelchair user, the type and degree of disability varies from person to person, and the sports that they can participate in will vary.Movement, sitting balance, and the way you move your arms vary depending on the disability, so be sure to ask what type of disability you have.

In a place where it is easy to operate a wheelchair

It is very difficult to move the wheelchair in places where the ground is uneven, such as outdoor grounds, or on grass, as the wheels become difficult to move.As much as possible, play sports in a space without steps or obstacles.

See how to move the wheelchair (try to be able to do it while doing so)

The method of transportation in a wheelchair varies from person to person depending on the condition of the person's disability.Some people kick with both hands or feet, operate with one hand or one foot, and some even use electric wheelchairs to propel themselves.

By observing how each person moves and how much they move on their own, you can get hints about what kind of sports you can introduce.It would be a good idea to find out what you can do within that and devise rules and forms.

Key points for each facility (physically disabled ~wheelchair users~)

Shared facilities

• Reception ~Devices that allow all users, including people with disabilities, to use the service comfortably~
• Changing room
• Assistance Dogs
• Shower
• Emergency response

Sports Facilities

• gymnasium
• Training room/gym
• Pool
• Other outdoor facilities

Before using the facility

• Points for implementing general orientation for persons with disabilities