Swimming lessons and descrimination?

[pontypridd]

I tried to describe the situation we're in ... but its so long and convoluted I gave up.

The short story is I am certain my son is being descriminated against in his swimming school due to his disability and their refusal to take that into consideration. They just want to get rid of him rather than enable him to learn where he is.

Who should I approach about this? I want to contact either a swimming organisation or an organisation like CP sports (my son has cerebral palsy).

Has anyone done this before?

Thank you.

If it's a council run swimming pool I would start with phoning the manager for leisure at the council - or writing a formal complaint.

You might need to give a bit more detail, tbh. How are they discriminating? Is it in not allowing him access, not allowing him to work towards awards which accommodate disability, etc?

DD1 goes to MS swimming lessons with a 1:1. She doesn't do the same ASA awards as her sisters (octopus, etc). She does the rockhopper awards which account for disability.

Well - DS is in a regular mainstream class. His disablity does make things more difficult, bit its manageable.

He can't hold a float - as can't use left hand. He has less mobility and strength of left side of his body. Also less core strength and general body awareness etc

He's doing really well though and has achieved all things needed to move up a level - apart from butterfly legs. He's been at this level for a year and a half now and is getting demoralised as every term all the other kids seem to move up.

Anyway, butterfly just seems impossible for him -

oops got to go. little one waking up. I'll finish tomorrow.

I would try to have a chat with the leisure centre manager and swim instructor at the same time. Explain he can do everything bar butterfly. Ask if he could be moved up despite not having the skill. If they say no ask how they are going to progress his swimming as he will never achieve butterfly but could achieve other strokes or abilities. You might find them helpful.
A fantastic technique when confronting people is to ask a question - let them answer - then you say nothing. Just wait. This goes against natural communication. The other person then has a massive desire to fill in the silence. They also feel strange and end up back tracking. It works it's such a good stratagy to use. Good luck.

Thank you heyho,

All those tips are very useful!