Department of Social Work Studies students teach high school students an understanding of a cohesive society through parasports experiences

Students receiving an explanation of the structure of a wheelchair from Chiba Hawks player Takato Ueki (center) during preparatory learning.

Students judging the winning or losing of Boccia (center)
 

On October 24, Chiba, an exercise was held for about 100 first-year students of Matsuo Senior High School (Chiba, Yamatake City, Pref.) with the aim of fostering a welfare mindset that will serve as the foundation for a symbiotic society where people can respect and understand each other through the experience of playing para-sports. With the cooperation of the General Incorporated Association Chiba Prefectural Sports Association for the Disabled (Chiba Prefectural Chiba City), Department of Social Work Studies 17 fourth-year students led a para-sports experience and explained the rules.

In order to learn the basics of para sports, the students tried three sports over two days as preparatory training: boccia, flying disc, and wheelchair basketball. Regarding wheelchair basketball, we invited Takato Ueki of the wheelchair basketball team Chiba Hawks (Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture) to teach us about the structure of wheelchairs and the fun of parasports. The students learned about the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the rules for each event in order to be able to instruct high school students.The students also came up with the content of the hands-on program and took on the challenge on the day.

当日は3種目のコーナーを設け、全て体験出来るよう1種目30分で体験をおこないました。 高校生からは、パラスポーツは障がいのあるなしに関係なく、誰もが楽しむことができるスポーツだったとコメントをいただき、学生たちが学んでいる「共生社会の実現」について理解を深める取組みとなりました。

Student showing a sample flying disc to high school students (center)