Tertiary health promotion ultimately impacting on the physical and social wellbeing for Victorians with disability. Physiotherapists will hear from both a clinical and practical perspective the importance of sport and recreation (physical activity) to improve the health and wellbeing of their clients with intellectual disability. Physiotherapists will learn of the evidence base to support this, clinical considerations and hear the best practice approach from Nora Shields. Physiotherapists will then see the impact of this intervention approach as demonstrated by a physiotherapist with a student at Springvale Park Special Developmental School. Participants will be more knowledgeable about accessing Disability Sport and Recreation and other the available resources to assist this process.
Nora Shields, Professor of Clinical and Community Practice
Professor Shields' research to date has helped to improve the health and wellbeing of people with disability through engagement in physical activity and exercise. She has received a number of research awards including the Community Research Prize from the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and has a strong track record in research publications, engagement, knowledge translation and research higher degrees student supervision. She was a director on the board of Disability Sport and Recreation (2011-2013). She also has considerable experience in the management of clinical trials and recently completed a NHMRC funded randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of a community based strength training program for young people with Down syndrome which involved the participants training with physiotherapy student mentors from La Trobe University.
Richard Amon: CEO, Disability Sport and Recreation
Richard Amon is the current CEO of Disability Sport and Recreation. He is an experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organisation management industry. Skilled in sports, health, management, business development, with a Graduate Certificate focused in E-Business from RMIT University balanced with sports science qualifications from Victoria University. Richard has 10 years of local government experience (City of Casey), mostly as Manager Sport and Leisure. Key responsibilities include planning for the sporting/leisure needs of a future population of 500,000, management of 45 Recreation Reserves (including Casey Fields) and leisure facilities attracting over 3.5 million visits per year. Richard has led strategic partnerships with Melbourne Football Club, Melbourne Stars cricket team and Casey/South Melbourne Premier Cricket club.
Richard is a senior Professional Member of Vicsport Professionals Network.and was elected to the Vicsport Board in 2013. Richard is passionate about DSR’s mission to provide and promote positive health outcomes for Victorians with disability through participation in sport and recreation.
CPD hours: 1
