What clubs can disabled kids join?

[Letsgototheclub]

Been googling for hours and nothing's clicking.

Dd, almost five, really wants a "thing". All her friends at school have a "thing" - Dance, swimming, ect.

She is partially sighted, struggles with movement and has speech difficulties.
We've tried swimming lessons but hit a wall after Duckling badge one, physically it's not possible to progress and she was upset at being left behind.
The dance classes in the area look very official, lots of competitions, pictures of 3 year olds in perfect positions, lots of quotes about precision and perfection.
Football clubs don't start until age six.
Horse riding is too far to travel.

She doesn't care what she does, she just wants to feel like her friends.
I don't care what she does if it's after-school or on a weekend. Please help us!

Some martial arts clubs are very geared to kids with additional needs.

Does it need to be a sport? What about rainbows? Some groups have long waiting lists but in the 10 years I've been a leader, we've had girls come through the unit with a huge range of different disabilities, all of whom have been welcomed and fully participated in our activities. Hope you can find something for her.

One thing to potentially look at is what sports do the Olympics do for visually impaired. I know that sounds rather grand, but there tends to be more funding if there is, and they may be better trained to help.

Rainbows should be fine if you're interested in that sort of thing.

Dance, have a look around. Some dance, RAD ballet I'm looking at you, think that saying "we have a disability policy" negates actually doing any reasonable adjustment, but you may find an independent teacher who is keen to learn.

Dd when she was 10yo did a couple of years touring with an integrated circus, a circus for abled and disabled people. The aerialist was visually impaired and absolutely amazing. If you'd like me to PM you with the video I'll see if I can find a YouTube link. If you're near Bristol, the group was based there and do circus lessons for children, so I'm sure they'd be really keen to help her if she was interested.

I was going to suggest Rainbows too

I was going to suggest Rainbows too

I will look into martial arts thank you.

Yes I've been looking at rainbows, I went as a child. I'll have to ask her thoughts tomorrow as she's very set on wanting to be something like a dancer, I'm not sure a rainbow will count to her.

Brownies or its equivalent.

Squirels and Beavers will welcome your child but they have waiting lists so don't delay getting her name added.

Beavers or cubs - v inclusive x

Rainbows or beavers? Or a kids baking class

Look on your council local offer/community group website or ask the local parent carer forum.... Does she access the VImpaired school service ? They often know and the rnib as well.....

Musical instrument
Rainbows/Beavers
Forest School
Sailing

What interests does she already have?

It's a shame the horse riding is too far. Maybe look into accessible sports in your area?

Google RYA Sailability, they have specially designed dinghies for the disabled. Clubs all around the UK. They take children and adults sailing.

Coding?
Singing? (Might be good for her speech?)
Drama/theatre? (Often very inclusive)

Music groups. See if she can join a ‘string starters’ course or a children’s choir

Are you near a goalball club? Brilliant for visually impaired children, my son has played for about 10 years. Everyone’s very kind and welcoming and the social side is good too.

No squirrels near us unfortunately, straight to beavers which is 6+

She joined farm tots last year which was amazing but only runs during the school day.

Yes I plan to ask her VI specialist and OT to see if they have any suggestions.

Thank you for all contributing!

Would she be able to do junior parkrun? The events are very welcoming and inclusive... but 2km might be too much for her.

The integrated circus 🎪 one is a good shout

I saw them locally in my home town..

Many ability counts football clubs/sessions start at 5y/o. Have you counted your local FA to see if there are any that do within travelling distance to you?

No squirrels near us unfortunately, straight to beavers which is 6+

I think Rainbows starts from age 5.

You might be better off asking locally. Brownies etc are very dependant on the leaders and although none should discriminate, there might be some troops that have a skilled leader who can support your daughter really well. In my area I was chatting to someone who coaches cricket, he also has done lots of work in local mainstream schools doing disability sport and also in a special school for children with physical disabilities. So you might be better getting into a cricket club coached by someone with his background than a different cricket club with someone without his understanding.
So maybe it is about the expertise of the staff not the choice of activity per se.

Our local football club runs an inclusive session weekly. The only stipulation is they have to be school aged. I'd make contact with your county FA to see what's available locally.

Not sure what I'm doing wrong but when I Google
The integrated circus it suggests integrated circuits and shows me electricals 🤣

The big gymnastics club near us has a SEN group that starts at age 5.