Description
In Romania there is a lack of intervention programs concerning getting and developing motor abilities for people with Down's Syndrome as well as a lack of opportunities to socially interact. The goals of this project are to create and develop an Early Motor Group Intervention program for children with Down's Syndrome and to increase the social interaction level as well as the independent life skills. Through this project, on one side, trainings, demonstrations, unified gymnastics competitions will be organized. On the other side, workshops for specialists and family members will be provided. Funding will be used to acquire specific sports equipment, to ensure the necessary materials for educational and sports activities, to provide trainings/seminars, to promote the project. The target group is made of 150 children with Down's Syndrome (aged 2-7), 175 beneficiaries with Down's Syndrome and 175 beneficiaries without disabilities.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the lack of intervention programmes concerning the development of motor abilities for people with Down syndrome as well as lack of opportunities to socially interact for these people. Thus, the project aimed to increase the social inclusion of people with Down syndrome through sport activities. In order to achieve this goal, 7 Regional Resource Centres (at physical education/sports universities/faculties/departments) and 16 sports halls from 10 towns were provided with specific training equipment and 519 teachers, coaches, family members, specialists from NGOs, special schools and state institutions were trained on developing motor abilities for people with Down Syndrome. An Early Motor Intervention programme was established and addressed, within the project, the needs of 160 children aged 2-8 and. Also, a Unified Gymnastics programme was created for children aged 8+ - a programme that brought together 247 children and youth with Down syndrome and 263 people without disabilities. In addition, awareness regarding people with disabilities was raised among 3,388 children and youth and 164 teachers from 48 mainstream schools. Two Guides developed within the project are at hand for the specialists and available to the public. The Guides explain and provide detailed information on how to organise a motor development programme for persons with Down syndrome.
Summary of bilateral results