Disabled on the dancefloor
HUNDREDS of children with disabilities around the nation are set to have support to participate in dance — and gain from the many benefits dance provides.
Deakin University has launched Australia’s first comprehensive digital resource to promote inclusion in dance for children with developmental challenges, as well as a directory of inclusive dance schools.
An initiative of Deakin’s Child Study Centre within the School of Psychology, AllPlay Dance includes a suite of online resources to help children, their parents and dance teachers ensure that dance schools are an inclusive space for kids of all abilities.
The initiative is an expansion of the groundbreaking AllPlay program, a national project that aims to make the world fit for all kids. It was launched last year with AllPlay Footy, a collaboration with the AFL and Moose Toys that is encouraging more kids with disabilities to join their local NAB AFL Auskick program — and has seen hundreds of children signing up.
Professor Nicole Rinehart, AllPlay creator and director of the Deakin Child Study Centre, said children with developmental challenges, such as autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, language disorders and intellectual disabilities, often felt their disabilities were a barrier to participating in group activities.
“AllPlay Dance is about opening up opportunities to all children who want to express themselves through dance, get moving with a local dance group, or just have fun with their friends on the dancefloor. It can be used in all types of dance classes, from hip hop, to jazz, to cultural, to ballet,” she said.
“Our research shows that being part of these kinds of group activities has such a positive impact on children’s physical development and their social development, including their sense of belonging in the community.”
Carly Stewart is one parent who has seen the benefits of dance for her child. “My son Lachie absolutely adored it,” she said. “He was very excited to come in and join in and have a go himself.”
Prof Rinehart said there were many simple changes dance schools could make to enable inclusion. They included improving access to the venue, modifying some dance exercises and routines, adapting equipment or allowing an aide or caregiver to attend and help the child.
At the recent launch of AllPlay Dance, Queensland Ballet’s artistic director, Li Cunxin, author of the book Mao’s Last Dancer, conducted a masterclass for a group of children with disabilities.
“We firmly believe in the power ballet has to create positive change, provide opportunity and bring people together,” Cunxin said.
“We look forward to seeing the joy this program will bring to many children with disabilities and their families.”
AllPlay Dance was funded by a grant from the National Disability Insurance Agency through its Information, Linkages and Capacity Building grant program, which aims to make the broader community more inclusive for people with disabilities. Dance schools, parents and children can learn more at: www.allplaydance.org.au and www.allplay.org.au