Inclusive adventure education and outdoor activities III

Inclusive adventure education and outdoor activities III

> Putting theory into practice <

On the 17th, 18th and 24th of April 2023. The experts Tomás Aylward and Erwin Borremans will visit Iceland and hold several lectures and workshops on inclusive outdoor activities.

This is a joint project of the Faculty of Education of the University of Iceland - The Center for outdoor recreation and outdoor learning and the Association of Outdoor Learning Enthusiasts.

The third and the day of the lecture series will take place on Monday, April 24 in the School of Education in Stakkahlíð // Room H-101

Please register here

Program:

13.00-13:45 - Lecture: Persons with a disability (PwD) as global citizens: The impact of outdoor adventure as a catalyst for greater awareness of the natural world and understanding of the threats posed by climate change

The challenges of a climate crisis and the sustainability of modern society have come sharply into focus in recent times. The unquestionable vulnerability of our planet and of all species on it is regularly played out in the media. Like all global citizens, children and adults with disabilities are equally affected by action or inaction on climate change. While sustainability and connection to nature feature as elements in many high-quality Outdoor Learning programmes, it is less commonly referred to in specialized or segregated OL programmes for children with disabilities. There is a clear onus on teachers, outdoor learning pedagogues, youth and community workers to ensure sustainability and environmental education issues are addressed with equal importance to our fellow global citizens who happen to live with a disability.

14-15:30 - Workshop: Building an extended-campus research programme around adventure and PwD

In this workshop for faculty members, opportunities for research will be explored. This will include outlining opportunities to collaborate with the UNESCO Unitwin Chair at MTU. The UNESCO Chair in Inclusive Physical Education, Sport, Recreation and Fitness promotes research which bridges the gap between policy and practice regarding the engagement of persons with a disability in physical activity and sport and including adventure education and outdoor recreation. Extended-campus research is acknowledged as a key strategy for the delivery of the UN sustainable development goals by engaging with community stakeholders in the environs of the universities and research centres. This will ensure that the research generated is relevant to the lives of those who live proximally to the universities and who share their space and their communities.

About the lecturers:

Tomás Aylward - MSc and PhD student

Tomás Aylward is MSc and PhD student is a lecturer in the School of Health and Social Sciences at Munster Technological University on the Atlantic coast of Ireland. A lecturer in outdoor learning and Adapted Physical Activity at the Kerry Campus for 22 years, Tomás' work and research has been focused on developing specialised training programmes for those who lead adventure and outdoor activities for people with disabilities. He is the programme director for a BA in Outdoor Learning at MTU.  Contact:  tomas.aylward@mtu.ie

Erwin Borremans, PhD

Erwin Borremans is a lecturer in adapted physical education and APE director for the LIVE Vocational College’s 10 campuses spread across southern Finland. Erwin’s work includes integrating outdoor education and outdoor physical activity into special education programmes. Erwin is a qualified physiotherapist with a master's degree in APA and a PhD in Adapted Physical Education. Erwin has been published in a number of academic journals in the discipline of APA and APE and was involved in organising the ISAPA world conference on APA in Finland in 2021. He also lectures at two Universities of applied sciences in Vierumäki and Espoo.   Contact: erwin.borremans@inlive.fi