This presentation has been done to help coaches that are struggling to communicate with deaf swimmers. Information has been summarised from international coaching blogs, swimming governing body websites, books, deaf support organisations, experienced coaches and my own personal experience.

1. Hamish Wise
Sports Coaching Pedagogy 2013
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2. Introduction to Deaf Swimming
 Breaking the communication barriers
 Very few studies conducted
 National Swimming coaching websites and blogs for
Australia, USA and UK
 Ability to correct their technique, just as an able
bodied athlete
 Deaf swimmers don’t compete at Paralympics

3. First things First
 Embrace the challenge
 Get to know the athlete
 Best form of communication
 Treat the same as an able bodied swimmer
 Never underestimate the swimmer
 Help develop a sense of independence

4. Tips for the coach at training
 Interpreter/learn sign language
 Use the white board
 Speak directly to the swimmer
 Waterproof flash cards
 Use other swimmers to demonstrate skills
 Ask the athlete to repeat what you have just said
 Location

5. At swimming competitions...
 Encourage participation
 Let the officials know there is a deaf athlete competing
 “Tap” start
 Also the pinch and release
 Strobe light
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQEsuIzdGPE

6. Race Visualisation Sessions
 Helps prepare the swimmers for the race, reduces
anxiety due to already mentally rehearsing the race
 Typically swimmers: relax, close their eyes and listen to
what the coach is saying
 Deaf swimmers: lie down, keep eyes open, prop their
head up and watch the coach

7. Sports Signalling Devices
 Comparing different apparatus for communicating
with deaf athletes in training
 Sebneider Jr: standard sports whistle that resulted in a
visual stimulus
 Wouldn’t be effective in swimming pool
 Other devices:
 Electronic
 uncomfortable

8. Mobile Phone Application
 “Deaf Friendly Swimming”
 Android phone
 British sign language graphics
 Finger Spelling alphabet
http://www.appszoom.com/a
ndroid_applications/commun
ication/deaffriendly-
swimming_cppkt.html

9. Future Progressions
 Training strobe light
 Coach holds a device with a button, emitting a flash of
the strobe
 Helps with start training
 Waterproofs Cochlea Implant
 Easier on the whole squad
 Much more efficient training
 Turns out they have been
invented but are very
expensive
http://eurociu.implantecoclear.org/index.php?option=com_conten
t&view=article&id=119&Itemid=142&lang=es

10. Ask a professional
 Common sense / trial and error
 Same training physiologically as able bodied
 Don’t give up, ask someone with experience
 John Shaw’s tip

11. Reference List
 ASCA Online: Including Swimmers With a Disability. Date veiwed: 08/04/2013.
http://www.swimmingcoach.org/articles/press_room/ada10122001.asp
 Goodman, S. (1995). Coaching athletes with disabilities: General principles (2nd
Edition). Australian Sports Commission
 Green, A. (1992). Coaching methods when working with swimmers with a
disability. Australian Sports Commission.
 Deaf Friendly Swimming Handbook: National Deaf Children’s Society (UK).
Published 03/2012.
 Fitzgerald.S (2003). Sports Signalling Device for Hearing Impaired Persons.
Pub No: US20030006903 A1
 Dummer G.M. et al. (2008) Training and Conditioning for swimmers with
Disabilities. 37th National Adapted Physical Education Conference, Promoting
Activity for All.
 Dummer G.M. et al. (2008) Moving to the Next Level: Swimming Instruction
for Personal With Disabilities.. 37th National Adapted Physical Education
Conference, Promoting Activity for All.