Special Training Needs: Making martial arts more accessible for all

Introduction





I think we would all agree that martial arts should be made available to everyone. They have a lot of different things to offer all kinds of people, whatever their age, sex or ability.



Although many martial arts instructors are aware of such things as equal opportunities law, the equality and diversity policy of our parent organisation and perhaps might even have signed a special statement to the effect that, in their club, all people are welcome and their particular needs catered for, how many, I wonder, would actually be able to cope if a person in a wheelchair turned up? Or a person with Learning difficulties or behaviour problems? Or a person who could not not see or hear very well?



It is the the opinion of this institute that no one should ever have to feel marginalised, excluded or alienated, and hopes this article helps to avoid this from happening quite so often in martial arts clubs



Making sure you’re sure





A lot of activities, martial arts included, seem to see important things such as equality and diversity, accessibility and inclusion as simply being yet another box to tick, and nothing more. This is no longer acceptable in a Just, tolerant and well developed society. These issues need to be addressed in very real terms, with martial arts instructors making themselves more aware of what is involved in making our actual martial arts training more accessible to special training needs, rather than just the venue itself.



Some serious consideration needs to be given as to how an instructor might do this. How they would modify both technical content and teaching methods, special equipment and communication, etc. And this can only be done if a certain amount of time and effort is dedicated to it.



All of this needs to be thought about, analysed and acted upon before any person with such specialist needs arrives at your club: It is far too late afterwoods.



Many martial arts instructors take their marketing very seriously indeed: Do they think it will be only the able-bodied/able minded/well behaved people who read their advertisement? or pick up their informative leaflet that has been shoved through the letterbox? Of course not! their marketing will attract the attention of all kinds of different people, and all of them should have a right to turn up at your club and expect to be treated with due respect and be made welcome into the class. The important question is: Would the average martial arts instructor really be able to cope if they did?



I know of several instructors who, if asked this question, would simply shrug their shoulders and say "of course I could", believing implicitly that they would immediately be able to adapt whatever they were doing and the way they were instructing it. This is nothing more than pure fantasy upon their part because literally all lessons require a certain amount of planning, and, if this planing procedure does not make any provision for special needs, then it would be stupid and potentially even dangerous to expect either the instructor or the person requiring them to be able to cope.



What can be done?





Their are several positive steps an instructor can take towards making their classes more accessible:



1. The first of these steps would be as stated above: Sitting down and thinking about it for a while. By thinking about it, I don’t just mean spending a few minutes on the topic when you have nothing else to do. Rather, I mean really devoting some time to mulling it over, carefully and properly



2. The next would be for them to engage in an information gathering exercise: Contacting various organisations that offer help and assistance in such matters (or even taking the plunge and actually joining some of them!) and "reading up" on as much as they can. And, best of all, if they happen to know anyone with some form of special training needs, then remember to ask them for their input and opinions, they will usually enlighten you in a very honest and open manner.



3. Next, they must ensure that they implement what they have learned. Making both their students and local community aware that they are truly dedicated towards social inclusion, and that martial arts should be available to all



4. Finally: Seek some proper training, so you can learn about doing the job properly. There is a lot available out there and this is a very real part of the CPD (continuous professional development) process and so should really be part of their duty as a competent martial arts instructor



I am proud to say that I underwent special training in order to teach students with learning disabilities, and that I have since been afforded the opportunity of working with several other special needs groups such as substance abuse and children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Last year, I undertook further training as a sports coach for people with disabilities and, earlier this year, I attended a special course for making physical activities more accessible for Deaf people. I have done all of this because I want to constantly improve my ability as a martial arts instructor, and encourage all my students to do well by (in turn) doing my best for all of them.



The IMAS is a member of both the Disability Martial Arts Association and the National Deaf Childrens Society, with whom we have signed a pledge stating that we are committed to making our classes more accessible, therefore the institute is deeply passionate about this issue. and hopes to encourage others to become likewise.



A special team drawn from suitably qualified and experienced IMAS members and faculty are now researching and designing a variety of courses specifically upon this subject which, when fielded, will help to introduce martial arts instructors everywhere to the knowledge, skills and abilities required to make their classes more accessible to all



Conclusion





I have already written in several articles elsewhere, about how the local martial arts club serves its community in so many important ways, not least in helping to bring together different types of people who might otherwise not even have met, breaking down social barriers and encouraging a spirit of friendship and cooperation Making classes more inclusive and accessible his is yet another extension of that concept.The martial arts club should be a bastion of mutual trust and respect wherein literally all kinds of people can enjoy the training.





Martial arts are a very precious jewel, but they are trully multi-faceted. I know there are a lot of good instructors out there who would do their utmost to see to it that all people can take part in their classes and reap the benefits. However, I also, (sadly) know of a few who would completely disregard the idea of such inclusion, perhaps thinking that it would not be realistic or suitable for their particular system of martial arts or style of instructing. I think that these people are either not confident enough in their teaching ability, or feel that allowing such practice might compromise their image in some way. But, whatever the reason, this is an issue that needs to be addressed as a good instructor is one who can, and will, teach anyone willing to learn.



It Is the responsibility of the individual instructor to ensure they are up to the challenge of doing this, rather than simply paying a cursory and flippant "lip service" to it. Inclusion and accessibility are vitally important in establishing a level playing field for all.



Prof. J R Lee-Barron