Abstract:

I’mPOSSIBLE is an educational programme developed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) through the support of its development arm, the Agitos Foundation, to spread the values and the vision of the Paralympic Movement to young people throughout the world. The main objective of the programme is to change society’s perceptions and teach the next generation about inclusion of people with impairments.

The programme name is in recognition of the fact that with courage and determination, Paralympians continue to redefine what is possible, frequently achieving the unexpected. Using inspirational Para athletes’ stories, I’mPOSSIBLE aims to:
- Inspire and excite young people and demonstrate to them that with determination, courage and inspiration they can, like the Para athletes, achieve the unthinkable in their lives
- Challenge learners’ perceptions and attitudes towards people with an impairment, thereby helping to increase inclusion through Para sport

The programme is designed for teachers to use with learners aged 6–12. It provides a range of easy-to-use lesson ideas introducing learners to the Paralympic values, Para sports and the inspirational achievements of Para athletes from around the world. Wherever possible, differentiated activities have been provided for younger learners, aged 6–8. The toolkit of resources includes a teacher handbook, teacher lesson plans, teacher training guidelines, learner worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, six short films and teacher and learner surveys. As this resource is intended to be used globally, it has been designed in a flexible way to allow for cultural adaptation, translation and do-it-yourself equipment at little to no cost. Across the toolkit there are also various different adaptations for learners of all abilities to take part based off of the TREE framework which focuses on modifications to activities so that learners of all abilities can participate. .

To date, I'mPOSSIBLE has been piloted in Japan, Colombia and Armenia with some encouraging early successes. Following the pilot launch of the Japanese version of I’mPOSSIBLE in February 2017, the Ministry of Education in Japan has pledged to include Paralympic education alongside Olympic education in its national curriculum. This kind of change is also anticipated in future I’mPOSSIBLE implementation countries. Furthermore, a recent monitoring visit to Armenia highlighted the positive impact that the programme is having on children’s understanding of inclusion. Children expressed favourable attitudes towards people with impairment participating in sport, stating that all people should be able to play sport, regardless of their ability.

Working in partnership with National Paralympic Committees and Ministries of Education, I’mPOSSIBLE will be officially launched all over the world in December 2017. The resources will be available online as an open educational resource for free download in English, Spanish and French. To maximise the impact of the toolkit, conference participants will find out how they can implement I’mPOSSIBLE in their own countries and how the programme will can facilitate policy change at the highest level to bring about more inclusion of people with impairments.

Keywords:

Inclusion, education, Para sport, Paralympic, I’mPOSSIBLE.