SN Judo in Great Britain

Being myself involved in SN Judo over the past 25 years, it took a long time for the sport to recognise that people with disabilities can do judo.

This handbook when printed, will prove invaluable to all throughout GB, for those already involved and for those seeking information on how and when to start or become involved.

There are contributions from officials/coaches/disability organisations on all aspects of this project.

Over the past 15 years, we have run many annual judo events in GB.

Wales SN Championships

Scotland SN Championships.

England SN Championships.

Clacton International SN Championships.

Bradleystoke SN Championships

British Schools SN Championships.

British SN Championships.

Over the past years, individual countries in GB , have run and organised their own events, but have come together for International events.

Hopefully in the near future, especially with the backing of the BJA, we travel abroad as a GB SN Team.

THIS WILL BE GOOD NEWS FOR ALL OUR ATHLETES,KNOWING THAT IT WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM.

All clubs and countries now should become involved in forming this BJA International squad for events.

With the number of events taking place in GB and in Europe, we should be looking at taking groups of certain levels to certain events.

I.E. Levels 1 and 2 perhaps for Major Internationals.

       Level 3 for Smaller International events.

       Level 4+5  for Small International club events.

This will give our athletes a goal of progression through the levels.

We should also now be looking at fair play in our sport, should a person with a mild learning disability be fighting against a person with a physical disability?

Or many of the other disabilities that we mix?

In GB we are a little different in our organisation than some countries who only have 1 federation of judo.

In GB we are 4 countries. ENGLAND /N.IRELAND/WALES and SCOTLAND, who implement and run the sport of judo in the respective countries, but we also have the BJA who oversee all the work going on in the home countries.

This badge has now been developed and given out to most of our athletes, who will wear them on the bottom of the left hand skirt of the judo jacket.

THERE IS ALSO A BJA INTERNATIONAL BADGE,WHICH WILL BE WORN BY OUR TOP ATHLETES.

DISABILITY STATEMENT

The British Judo Association welcomes learners with Disabilities and Learning Difficulties. We hope you will have an enjoyable and productive time with the Association and look forward to seeing you at our classes.

The Association has a Student Charter and Equality and Diversity Policy, which says that:

“No one involved with the work of the Association will receive less favourable treatment because of their age, gender, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, faith, marital or parental status, disability, sexual orientation, HIV status, political belief or social or economic class”.

In addition:

Many BJA classes are in short groups so likely to be attractive to those whose impairment or health condition might mean that they cannot commit themselves to a longer course.

Many classes will suit learners who wish to achieve a personal goal but are not so concerned with gaining a formal qualification or grade.

Admission arrangements

We aim to help all students informed choices about Judo. We will give you honest and straightforward advice about your choices before you join a programme. Recruitment and publicity materials will state clearly that unless a course is targeted at a specific group the Association welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.  Applicants with disabilities and/or learning difficulties will be given the opportunity to discuss their particular needs and how they may be met by the BJA/Club before they start on their programme or during the first few weeks of their course.

If you have already enrolled on a programme and find you need support please contact us, as we may still be able to help, although we cannot guarantee that we will have the resources available when you need them.

The Association recognizes that many disabled students do not require any additional support.  However, others may have additional needs if they are to gain access to their chosen class. This support is made available to you and might take a variety of forms.

a)      If you wish to study on a learning programme especially designed for adults with a learning difficulty and/or disability;

The Association works very closely with its clubs and is in touch with a large number of community organizations.  It has a long history of responding creatively to the needs of those who are disadvantaged. This has included the creation of provision that meets the needs of particular groups of disabled students. For example, specialize courses are available for people with visual impairments to enable them to learn Judo.  Classes are also available for people with mental health difficulties. Full details of all our programmes are available from the Association.

b)      if you wish to study in a BJA class but feel that you require some additional support to remove any barriers driving from a disability of learning difficulty:

There are a variety of ways in which the BJA can support you.  Please contact our disability office who will be able to negotiate with you the kind of support that will help you achieve your learning goal. The sooner you are able to make contact the better, as sometimes support can take a while to organize and resources can be limited.  If we can’t provide the support you need we will tell you and try to help you find an alternative. Don’t worry if you cannot tell us until you start the course – it does not mean that we cannot help you, just that it might take a while to organize.

Additional support may be available for:

In class support. Extra support during classes for some students (not takers/communication support for sensory impaired students, assistants for some students with learning difficulties).  Help with access for mobility impaired students.

British Sign language communicators/note takers

Class material in different formats i.e. in large print

Special exam arrangements which can be made for you in examinations or assessment if you are attempting a grade

The BJA works with many partnership organizations.  If we are unable to provide the particular support you require, the disability Officer will attempt to put you in touch with a relevant statutory or voluntary organization that might be able to provide this support for you.

Physical Access

The Association has approximation 1000 clubs all over the UK.  Some of these Clubs have good disabled access, but some have only limited or no disabled access.  It is important to check before deciding on a club if the premises will be suitable for you.

The BJA carries out an annual audit of the resources available in all its club venues, which we are constantly aiming to improve.  The Disability Officer will be able to give you up-to-date information about access at specific sites. 

The Disability Discrimination Act Part IV

The British Judo Association is aware of its responsibility under Part IV of the Disability Discrimination Act and will make very effort to ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to our provision to ensure that learners are in no way treated less favourably for a reason related to their disability.

PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES

Persons who cause concern

Suggestions for handling potential/actual difficult situations:

Introduction

Everyone has a right to feel safe at home, at work or wherever they may be.  However, many people fear that they may be victims of unwanted attention or violence.  It is essential that such fear should not prevent anyone from going about their activities, be they for social or business purposes.

The BJA encourages all persons to join a Judo Club, so statistically, we can expect to be working with a number of people who have a range of personal/social problems, which will be challenging to us as a service provider.

Whilst our primary aim is improving Judo skills, there are many social factors involved in learning.  If we are to work as an equal opportunities association we need to recognize these factors and to support people as far as possible within the coaching situation.

Challenging Behaviour

We must recognize that there will be times when behaviour is detrimental to:

The coach being able to fulfill their role

Other students within the class or centre

The individual(s) themselves

The Dojo premises/environment etc

There have been cases where coaches and students have been harassed and/or threatened by others.  As recognition of this, and the fear that it promotes, existing guidelines have been updated and extended to give some ideas of how to cope in difficult situations and the avenues of support that you can assess and expect.

Deciding when to ask for help is not always easy and each individual needs to use his or her own judgement as to when to seek advice.  However, the over-riding guideline is to:

Seek help SOONER rather than later.

Thinking about what to do next

If you are concerned with a student’s behaviour, demeanor, or about not being able to fulfill your role either because of a single incident, or an accumulation of events, then the following questions may help clarify the issues:

What are your concerns about the situation?

How do you feel in the situation?

What immediate action was/is most appropriate?

Who else needs to know?

What happens next?

Dealing with the situation yourself

Having addressed these questions:  you may decide you wish to deal with the situation without further assistance.  However, you must record your concerns on an Incident form.  You can also use an Oral Warning Cause for Concern format.

Requesting the involvement/support of others

If it is clear that the situation goes beyond either your personal or professional boundaries, then it is important to:

Complete an incident report immediately.

If you are in local authority or other managed premises there will be an agreed procedure

If your club is under your own direction consult the BJA as soon as practicable.

At the start of the situation

Quickly sum up what is happening.  Think about where you are, who knows you are there, what you might do and how you might escape if you need to.

Put some space between yourself and the person causing concern.  Ideally if not move into an enclosed space.  Try to avoid the person being positioned between yourself and the door.  Indicate where you would like the person to be and take a position yourself – again ensuring that you are closer to the door.

As the situation develops

Be sympathetic, but impartial. Sometimes recording what the student has to say can be a useful way of letting the student know that you are taking what they say seriously.

Remain in control and calm if provoked, with a firm but friendly attitude.

It is possible to get back-up support from another member of staff?  Can a member of the class help to find someone?

Do’s and Don’ts

Try to involve other class members if possible/appropriate

Do weigh up situations carefully and always aim to ensure personal safety

Do wherever possible involve the subject in the decision making process

Do make sure that the person knows what is going to happen next.

Do not retaliate whether by word or physical action.  Defence of self or another with minimum force may be necessary but more could lead to counter charges of assault.

Do not be afraid that there may be a suggestion of unprofessionalism or weakness to share such challenges.  Personal safety is paramount.

It is better to be safe than be sorry

Special situations

Watch out for:

The influence of drink or drugs:  do not see such a person alone. The person may (where possible) be excluded from the class or premises immediately.  If appropriate, a planned interview can be arranged/postponed for another time.

Suggestions of violent behaviour.  Do not see such a person alone. The police must be contacted immediately and automatic exclusion should take place

Students with known Special needs:

Their details should be taken and an Incident form used if appropriate. The management/BJA team should be contacted immediately and an appointment made, with the Incident form available for consultation. Further actions taken by the management/BJA team will be recorded and copies made available to support the Incident form.

General safety points

Do not counsel/interview students alone –

1. Without informing another staff member of your presence, location and anticipated meeting duration.
2. In a room which is some distance from another staff member and/or is “out of earshot

In the case of managed centres

1. If you are teaching in a room some distance away from other classes, ask the Centre administrator if you can move to a more central location

2. In service training for dealing with difficult clients and f0r personal safety can possibly be arranged if required.  Contact your manager to make a request.