| Inclusion meets Excellence |
The I’mPOSSIBLE programme is the official educational programme of the global Paralympic Movement and was developed by the Agitos Foundation, the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) development arm, to spread the Paralympic values and the vision of the Paralympic Movement to young people throughout the world. Through education of inclusion and the Paralympic values, I’mPOSSIBLE aims to challenge and change the perceptions of how young people perceive people with a physical impairment, thus bringing about a more inclusive society. I’mPOSSIBLE aspires to open the eyes of young people that they can achieve seemingly impossible things through the Paralympic values: Courage, Determination, Inspiration and Equality.
The programme combines classroom lessons and practical Para sport activities, with a focus on four Para sports - sitting volleyball, boccia, athletics for visually impaired athletes and goalball. By Learning, Engaging and Including, Maltese students are able to experience Para sport first-hand and step into the shoes of persons with disabilities. The programme also serves as a recruitment and grassroots initiative for MPC and is an ideal opportunity for students with disabilities to get involved in Para sport. The programme is being coordinated by Ms. Rachel Cachia, Ms. Rachel Bonett and Mr. Antonello Calleja on behalf of the MPC, the latter two educators having successfully completed the I’mPOSSIBLE Educator’s Course conducted by the International Paralympic Committee in 2021.
Get in touch today via admin@paralympic.mt
I'mPOSSIBLE Education Programme | The Documentary |
HOW IT WORKS
For the third year running since the programme was first implemented by the Malta Paralympic Committee in the 2020, MPC continues to expand the I’mPOSSIBLE Education Programme, reaching new heights in the 2022/2023 academic year and growing further in the current 2023/2024 year.
MPC collaborates with participating schools by providing teacher training sessions, adapted sports equipment, toolkits and resources, and organising presentations by local Para athletes, among other initiatives.
Take a look at the Key Overview of the I'mPOSSIBLE Education Programme below:
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EXPLORE
IMPACT AND UN SDGS 2030
We must remember that participation in sport is recognised as a human right under the terms of the United Nationals Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), as a component of “participation in the cultural life of the community.”
In addition, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities guarantees the right to “full and effective participation and inclusion in society on an equal basis with others.”
This potential positive impact has other wider impacts for our society and the attainment of other UN SDGs, including healthy living and well-being for all ages (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).
The I’mPOSSIBLE programme has an important role to play in ensuring that teachers are equipped with the necessary specialist know-how, skills and resources to ensure that ALL students can participate meaningfully in holistic education. This is quintessential to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
On a practical level, participation in sport can provide students with disabilities with the tools to enhance their presentational skills, foster inter-personal relations, benefit from mentoring from coaches and fellow athletes, develop lifelong skills such as time management, perserverance, commitment, dedication and the value of hard work, as well as critical thinking skills through the use of adaptive coaching techniques or the use of adaptive assistive devices according to their disability. These are all skills that are fundamental in a functioning modern workforce, where adaptability, versatility, problem solving capabilities, innovation at the workplace and use of modern/innovative technologies is key to success.
Moreover, MPC’s presence in schools is pivotal to recruiting and introducing students with disabilities to Para sport from a young age and connecting them with existing local Para athletes and Paralympians. This recruitment aspect of the programme is critical to allowing such students the opportunity to benefit from a holistic and equitable education that encompasses sports and physical activity, be it for general strength/fitness purposes, recreational or social purposes, or even competitive sport ambitions.
MPC comprehends that students with disabilities still face obstacles and barriers to entry to full and meaningful participation in society (including in sports) and, therefore, such a programme can continue to a key enabler in creating a more inclusive society in Malta. By bringing the opportunity within their day-to-day school environment, we are able to increase our reach and tap into potential athletes who would have otherwise not have had the necessary information, guidance or support to pursue an opportunity in Para sport.
| I'mPOSSIBLE | Driving change in Malta |
6
Schools enrolled
1800+
Students reached
50+
Activities organised
100+
Teachers trained