On March 27, the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP Wheels for Humanity, UCP Wheels), in conjunction with the National Ability Center (NAC), launched a sports training program, which is part of a two–year project called “Developing Potential and Expanding Consciousness: An International Sports Project for Persons with Disabilities (DPEA by its acronym in Spanish)”.
As part of its objectives, the DPEA Project brought a team of trainers with multi-sport skills. This team consists of three professional coaches and an Athletic Director who came from the US to conduct a six-day training program for 36 coaches and about 50 youth with disabilities. After this part of the program, six Salvadoran coaches and a group of twelve kids will travel to NAC in Park City, Utah, in July 2015 for additional training in sports and meetings with a variety of service providers for people with disabilities.
In her speech, Aileen Nandi, the Department of Commerce Regional Attaché, recognized the efforts of the organizations involved in the development of training, and highlighted the goal of breaking barriers and unite communities through sport.
Krisia Lorena Garcia, INDES, thanked US trainers for transmiting their knowledge to young coaches, who will put into practice what they learn during this program in different parts of the country.
Finally, Obe Moran, outstanding disabled athlete in the discipline of basketball, emphasized viewing sports as a way to break the barriers of disability. He thanked the organizers for this inclusive program, which inspired him to perform his best in sports.
This program is an effort of the SportsUnited Division from the Office of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, which emphasizes social development through sports. Since 2002, the division has awarded 104 grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States to develop programs in 62 countries.
