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Mousa A.1, Halford G.1, Rau B.2
1International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), Physical Rehabilitation Program, Gaza, Palestine, 2International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), Physical Rehabilitation Program, Geneva, Switzerland
Background: The Artificial Limb and Polio Centre (ALPC) - ICRC collaboration began in 2007 with the aim of developing comprehensive physical rehabilitation (PR) services for prosthetic and orthotic users, therefore in January 2015 ICRC PRP started a cooperation with the Palestinian Paralympic Committee (PPC) to support wheelchair basketball to provide social inclusion opportunities, the ultimate goal of PR for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Purpose: ALPC is a specialized PR center in the Gaza Strip, providing services for prosthetic and orthotic users. The ICRC PRP supports initiatives of social inclusion and rehabilitation through sporting activities. Wheelchair basketball was a niche activity that had been ongoing in the Gaza Strip in limited ways. The objective of this project was to ensure access for PwDs to increased opportunities for social participation through the development & promotion of wheelchair basketball and sport more generally among PwDs.
Methods: A partnership between the ICRC & PPC started in 2015 with significant relationship building fostered through regular planning meetings. A tournament for the four existing clubs was run to determine their needs and capacities. A training camp was then conducted by an ICRC wheelchair basketball consultant in 2015 for two weeks and in 2016 for three weeks. 70 wheelchairs and other materials were also provided.
The effect of this social inclusion activity was assessed through case studies. The project was monitored and reviewed periodically at institutional level using various tools.
Results: Since 2015, there has been a marked increase in the number of participants in the wheelchair basketball program (40 males in 4 clubs at the start of 2015 to 110 males and 8 clubs at the end of 2016. Female players were previously non-existent but currently 35 females participate in the practice sessions and new female playes engage regularly.
The PPC has stronger organizational skills (e.g. elaboration of a strategic plan), as well as better overall leadership and strategic thinking. Increased quality of the coaching is evident.
Participants show increased perception of self-worth, increased community participation outside of wheelchair basketball and increased physical ability.
Conclusion(s): The sport program for PwDs in Gaza has made great advancements in the past years as a result of good collaboration and continued focus by the ICRC PRP and the PPC. Opportunities for social inclusion now are available to more people as the increased participation demonstrates. Many participants show better quality of life through social inclusion activities.
Implications: Wheelchair basketball has been an effective way to boost social inclusion for PwDs in the Gaza Strip. To ensure effectiveness a true partnership approach has been important, with a trusting relationship between partners being central.
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval: Not ethics approval required
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
