School children in the Broken Hill region will have the chance to try blind cricket and learn why it’s important to include people with disability, when a NSW blind cricket player and a disability advocate visit in early November.
Former NSW Blind Cricket Captain School Jones and Maree Jenner, who recently returned from the World Dwarf Games in Germany, are both employed by not-for-profit organisation Social Futures, an NDIS partner in the community.
School children in the Broken Hill region will have the chance to try blind cricket and learn why it’s important to include people with disability, when a NSW blind cricket player and a disability advocate visit in early November.
Former NSW Blind Cricket Captain School Jones and Maree Jenner, who recently returned from the World Dwarf Games in Germany, are both employed by not-for-profit organisation Social Futures, an NDIS partner in the community.
They regularly visit schools in New South Wales with their innovative inclusive programs and will be in Broken Hill and surrounding areas from November 6 to 8.
Blind cricket
Scott said when children play ‘blind cricket’ they develop an awareness of disability and learn how communities can adapt and be inclusive to all – in this case through sport.
“The rules of blind cricket are based on standard cricket rules, with a couple of key modifications,” Scott said.
“”The ball is hard plastic and filled with ball bearings to provide audible cues. The wickets are made of metal and have the ability to rattle when shaken to identify their location.”
He said that before students playing, he talks to them about their understanding of disability, inclusion and the benefits for people with a disability when they enjoy and play sport.
Scott said that the sport is not only inclusive but loads of fun to play.
“Every student can take part in this interactive game. When I visit school, I also have a short chat about disability awareness and inclusive sports,” he said.
“When playing blind cricket, we use experiential glasses that replicate the experience of vision impairment and when deprived of an essential sense – vision – players are prompted to find new skills as they play.”
Scott explains that in blind cricket there are 11 players in each team and under competitive blind cricket rules there must be at least four players who are totally blind and seven partially blind players. That seven includes a minimum of three players with less than 5% vision and minimum of three players with less than 10% vision.
“Other differences to blind cricket are that verbal signals are widely used both by umpires and players,” he said.
“The bowler must ask the batsman if he is ready and shout ‘Play!’ as he bowls the ball, and they must bounce at least twice when bowling to a completely blind batsman but only once to someone with partial sight.
DOSI – ‘Different on the Outside, Same on the Inside’ program
‘Different on the Outside, Same on the Inside’ is a free program for primary and high schools aimed at breaking down misconceptions and social barriers and encouraging awareness and inclusion for people with disability.
This program is delivered by, Maree Jenner, who travelled to Germany in August to support the Australian team
As a person of short stature or dwarfism, Maree speaks to her own experience of difference and the challenges faced by ‘growing up little’’ in a world built for average height people.
“I am so passionate about this program,” Maree said.
“It is such a good opportunity to go in and talk to children, because they notice things, they are learning. And the earlier you talk to young people, the better. Young people have questions about disability, they are curious about difference. They want to know why that is, and to understand.”
“Having contact with me and becoming familiar with disability helps to remove awkwardness. Through this program we support young people to feel comfortable with difference and open avenues toward understanding and respect.
“Sadly, bullying happens frequently in our country. But bullying occurs often as a result of ignorance and misunderstanding, and this program is rectifying that.”
The program has been delivered to around 350 primary school and the positive response of the students has been overwhelming. Children with disability are approaching Maree after the program to thank her for coming and teachers are raising access and inclusion improvements in school leadership meetings.
PHOTO: Scott Jones and Maree Jenner in Broken Hill.