Recreation
Physical exercise should be a part of everyday life into adulthood, and incidental activity such as walking along the beach or walking the dog is still essential. Belonging and contributing to the broader community is very important in addition to studying or working.
Adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) are also more open to exercising at the gym. Experiencing improvement in strength, stamina and weight loss or maintenance offers a lot of incentive. Often having a family member or friend join them provides companionship, encouragement and a healthy amount of competition.
There are many benefits to all people participating in extracurricular activities, including adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome –
- Learning new and useful skills,
- Development of gross and fine motor skills.
- Development of social skills,
- Establishing friendships and experiencing a strong sense of belonging,
- Meaningful connections within the community.
Individuals with PWS can participate in activities designed for special needs, all abilities or mainstream depending on their own needs and skills. So many groups are becoming more aware and inclusive, and all people benefit from inclusion and interaction with a peer with additional needs.
Some physically recreational activities include swimming, dancing, ball sports, bowling and horse riding. The Special Olympics is also a place where our members can excel. Art classes, singing and acting clubs can satisfy the creative individual.
There are many social groups available organised by Disability service providers or check with community centres in your area to see what they offer.
Volunteering in the community is also available to adults and can be incredibly rewarding. Community and civic participation can be successfully achieved with support from well informed support workers. See the PWS Community Inclusion Guide.
Access for All Ability play (AAA)
AAA Play is a free information and referral service to assist Victorians of all ages with a disability to become involved in sport and active recreation.
Special Olympics Australia
http://www.specialolympics.com.au
Offer the highest quality sports training and competition opportunities for people with an intellectual disability all around Australia. Age 8 to adult
Special Olympics Australia offers regular training in athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cricket, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, netball, sailing, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis and winter sports (Alpine skiing, figure skating and snowboarding).
NB: Not all sports are available in all areas.
There are also many volunteer roles
NDIS leisure activity providers
With the rollout of NDIS there are numerous service providers offering programs.
Many bigger and well-known service providers have offered Recreation and Leisure activities for many years.
- Interaction
- Scope
- Yoralla
- Gateways
- GenU
- Noah’s Ark
- Leisure Networks
- Lifeskills and
- MacKillop Family services.
Also look for popular smaller regional and suburban service providers in your area.
Your NDIS plan can also include funding for Community access and a support worker can either take the child or adult out to enjoy the local area or to participate in activities within groups, clubs and gyms. NDIS can also assist a person to approach, speak to and join a desired group.
YMCA Victoria
YMCA Vic runs sporting and social groups to cater for every sector of the community for all ages.
Community Groups
There are numerous All ability and inclusive mainstream groups and clubs to join. Local Government websites will often be able to provide contact details. Other groups will often advertise through school newsletters and community magazines.
Large organisations like scouts and guides are also an excellent opportunity for community inclusion.
YMCA Victoria
YMCA Vic runs sporting and social groups to cater for every sector of the community for all ages.
Community Groups
There are numerous All ability and inclusive mainstream groups and clubs to join. Local Government websites will often be able to provide contact details. Other groups will often advertise through school newsletters and community magazines.
Large organisations like scouts and guides are also an excellent opportunity for community inclusion.
Arts Access Victoria
AAV is dedicated to an ambitious agenda of social and artistic transformation for people with disability, the communities in which they live and the arts sector in which they aspire to participate without barriers. Over the past four decades, Arts Access Victoria has established itself as the driving force behind an inclusive and accessible arts and cultural sector in Victoria.
Access for All Abilities (AAA Play)
Access for All Abilities (AAA Play) provides Australia’s only first-point-of call service connecting people with a disability to sports and recreational opportunities in Victoria.