Xcessible Schools Programme components:
- Workshop with students and staff
- Access to our Disability Inclusion in Physical Activity and Sport online course
- Development of a report on current inclusive practices and proposed recommendations for the school
Earlier this year Active Disability Ireland launched its first pilot for the new Xcessible Schools Programme in Enfield Community College with Transition Year students. Engaging 100 students and 8 staff members. The programme is designed to raise awareness of disability inclusion in physical activities and sport, consisting of an in-person workshop in the classroom followed by our online ‘Disability Inclusion in Physical Activity and Sport’ eLearning course.
“Creating meaningful change and perceptions to disability inclusion requires a long term strategic approach. In targeting the education sector and specifically transition year students, at this stage of their adolescence, we can influence attitudes and understanding of disability to help normalise inclusive behaviors and foster a culture of inclusion”.
Stephanie Mac Sweeney, Strategic Operations Manager, Active Disability Ireland
The workshop focused on positive language, appropriate terminology and encouraged students to share their thoughts on disability and inclusion, followed by discussions on how the workshop developed their knowledge and broadened their perceptions on disability. Students and teachers discussed existing inclusion practices in their school, and brainstormed innovative ideas on how they could continue creating a more inclusive school for people with disabilities.
Students shared their takeaways from the programme, sharing:
“I think it raises awareness for everybody on different language to use, and seeing the world in other people’s shoes.”
The workshop was followed by the students completing our online ‘Disability Inclusion in Physical Activity and Sport’ online course, which explores types of disabilities and practical ways to make exercises more accessible and inclusive. The course was an opportunity for students to further expand their knowledge and understanding of inclusion, empowering them to bring that learning beyond the classroom and into their daily lives.
Speaking on the benefits of the online course, Enfield Community College teaching staff, Mairead, shared:
“It will give them the tools to understand and build on what they’ve learned today, and then ultimately apply that to their learning in schools, outside of school and just general self-development.”
Alongside the practical workshop and online course, Active Disability Ireland supported the school in developing a report outlining their current practices and proposed additional recommendations to make their school more inclusive.
Thank you to the staff and students at Enfield Community College for their engagement and commitment to driving inclusion within their school and helping shape our new Xcessible Schools Programme.
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Interested in bringing the programme to your school? We are actively seeking schools in Leinster for an additional pilot of the programme in the coming school year (September 2026).
Please get in contact with Anna, Training & Education Development Lead, by emailing aoconnor@activedisability.ie