AIS sponsoring world first International SwimDisability Conference at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast

To support inclusiveness in swimming, Australian Innovative Systems (AIS) is sponsoring the world first event - the International SwimDisability Conference to be held at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast. AIS is also sponsoring the Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) Inclusive Swimming Program.

The SwimDisability Conference

Swim Disability Conference is a world first event aimed at helping swim teachers encourage people with a disability to successfully enjoy swimming, with the myriad health, lifestyle and cognitive benefits that swimming affords.

When: Thursday 18th August 2016

Cost: Only $125 + GST for the whole day of valuable education and networking.

Speakers include Erin Seal-Grande District Aquatics Manager of the Seal Swim School; and Michael Warburton

Physiotherapist and Exercise Scientist at Gateway Physiotherapy, Toni Fuller & Lisa Gilkes from Aqua Moves and Genevieve Nolan from Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria Physiotherapy.

Program

9am-10am: “Treasures ASD Program; Effective, specialised swimming lessons for children with Autism”, Julia Ham – Hampton Swim School & Nicole Grant – Gateway Physiotherapy

10am: Morning Tea Break

10:30-11:30am: “Challenging the ‘Limits’ and Nourishing the Potential of Children with Special Abilities”, Erin Seal- Grande

11:30-12:00: The ‘Business’ of Inclusion; Sustainable, professional practices (A), Erin Seal-Grande, Julia Ham, Tracey Ayton

12:00-1:30pm Lunch Break and SPLASH! Expo visit

1:30-2:15pm: “The Neuroaquatics Approach to Handling Children with Special Needs”, Toni Fuller & Lisa Gilkes– Aqua Moves Physiotherapy

2:15-3:00pm: “Hydrotherapy” for people with hearing and/or visual impairments”, Michael Warburton – Gateway Physiotherapy

3:00-3:30pm – Refreshment Break / Networking

3:30-4:30pm: Getting people with Arthritis and Osteoporosis in the Swim, (Genevieve Nolan) – Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria

4:30-5:00pm: The ‘Business’ of Inclusion; Sustainable, professional practices (B), Erin Seal – Grande, Lisa Gilkes, (Genevieve Nolan), Michael Warburton

AIS Sponsorship

Australian Innovative Systems CEO, Elena Gosse has a unique insight into the challenges of living with a disability. Her youngest daughter, Julia was born with cerebral palsy and diagnosed at the age of 13 months.

Gosse was determined that Julia’s disability would not limit her choices in life and now, at 29 years old, Julia is a capable, competent adult who works at AIS helping manufacture the company’s range of salt, water and mineral water chlorinators. Julia also runs her own part-time business and enjoys spending time with her husband Blake, and one-year-old daughter, Isabella.

During Julia’s teenage years Gosse enrolled her in a local swimming school to help with her physical therapy and mobility. Julia excelled at swimming and went on to become a competitive disabled swimmer.

“I saw first-hand the incredible improvements that swimming contributed to Julia’s physical and mental wellbeing,” says Gosse.

“It’s one of the reasons I was so passionate about becoming the official sponsor of the ASSA’s Inclusive Swimming Program which advocates for people of all abilities to enjoy swimming as a recreational or sporting activity.

“ASSA’s approach is to put the swimmer first, adapting to the person’s individual needs whether physical or attitudinal. From there a program is tailored to ensure the individual can participate in swimming lessons and activities.

“Another part of the program is to engage with swim schools and aquatic facilities to promote easier and safer access to public swimming pools for people living with disabilities.”

ASSA will be assisting with the inaugural International SwimDisability Conference as part of the SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show on Thursday August 18 from 9am to 5pm at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.