Her moves (Clontarf, Ireland) | Irish Wheelchair Association

Irish Wheelchair Association Sport hosts first Her Moves event in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The day was filled with female-focused events and celebrated the talent within the disability community, highlighting abilities rather than disabilities. Females of all ages, including members, parents, volunteers, athletes, coaches, and officials participated in this inclusive event, where females of all abilities came together to learn more about strength and conditioning and try sports like wheelchair basketball and rugby.

The Her Moves event aligns with Sport Ireland’s recent launch of their national Her Moves campaign, which aims to inspire teenage girls to explore more opportunities and embrace sport and physical activity while sharing their experiences with friends.

Focus 2023 on: Accessibility, Inclusion and Sustainability

Venue: Áras Chúchulainn, Blackheath Dr, Clontarf East, Dublin 3, Irland

Date: 11^th March 2023

Accessibility: We conducted a venue check to ensure accessibility, including access, toilets, spacing, and catering set-up considerations (e.g., height of food/drinks).

Inclusion: We extended an open invitation to female members, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, juniors, and seniors. All activities were chosen to be easily adaptable and accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.

Sustainability: We avoided the use of single-use plastics and used generic logos on branded items without specific years listed to ensure their usability in future events.

Accessibility: We utilised a fully accessible venue at Irish Wheelchair Association headquarters, which includes a sports hall, meeting rooms, kitchen, and canteen among other facilities. We also designed our courses and sports offerings to be accessible for people with physical disabilities, the general public, and staff members.

Inclusion: Activity leaders made sure to include all participants during their sessions. For example, an interactive movement workshop and an educational talk on menstrual cycles actively encouraged participation from both men and women.

Sustainability: Upon arrival, all participants received a filled, reusable water bottle. Catering on the day used recyclable materials, and participants were encouraged to take any leftovers home. The apparel provided to participants did not include dates, allowing for distribution at future events.

We gathered feedback informally, with individuals communicating their experiences to staff members. Following the event, our staff had a formal debrief where we reviewed each activity, the layout of the day, and considerations for future events. This documentation will aid us in planning next year’s event.

Lessons:

• Provide a sensory room for participants
• Advise participants of noise levels through advertising
• Review the allocated time for activities on the day
• Distribute a formal feedback form for participants
• Organise gift items that specifically relate to the activity offerings, such as a journal to track menstrual cycles to follow the session