Canada has its 1st disability-inclusive karate charity

Today Inclusion is something that needs to be adopted by society as everyone has an equal right to receive all the facilities. A Saskatchewan karate teacher has taken the initiative and has introduced a charity for disabled Canadians focusing on inclusion.

Brendan Breen is the first Canadian representative for the IKF. He started his martial arts classes three years ago and noticed that his class was attracting students of all abilities. He uses a system created by the Belgium-based Inclusive Karate Federation and realized that his students were happy attending his classes and some students were on the autism spectrum, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome who found the style of teaching interesting.

Coordination and Concentration is all that you need

Martial Arts Abilities Canada introduced by Breen is unique among 85,000 registered charities in Canada.

“We specifically want caregivers and physiotherapists and other professionals to join alongside those athletes,” Breen said. “They act as ‘buddies.’ They train among the athletes which promotes inclusion.”

The class helps with social acceptance, self-confidence, and mainly inclusion as it combines karate and special needs. The class runs at Deer Park Villas in Ituna which is a care facility for people with intellectual disabilities. Disabled students have a sense of involvement in society as the classes are attended both by disabled and abled individuals.

Furthermore, Breen says

“If they can pay, then great, it helps keep it sustainable,” “And if they can’t, then it’s 100 per cent free. Free grading, free belt tests, everything.”

Breen and his wife volunteer to run the class and all the facilities provided are by donation and students pay only the amount they can afford. They are not concerned about the cost as they don’t want it to be a barrier to learning.

Owen Reid aged 35 is in a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy and says he never thought he would be able to do karate. According to him, it’s all about a can-do attitude and trying things out rather than thinking it’s impossible.

“It’s a good learning experience for everyone involved. It’s important for people with disabilities to be included in a class like that. I think it’s also important for people to be included in society.” Said Owen Reid.

There are various ways the class is made engaging. There are modifications made in the classes where students wear colored armbands to follow the instructions given by Breen like punching with their red arm rather than their right. Breen too wears the coloured armbands so they can mirror him. The colors make it easier to copy the instructions. Another modification made is the down movement mats with feet positions in different colors. The colored placards help determine the position they must be facing.

To know more about the facilities the classes are providing read here 

Charity for disabled Canadians focusing on inclusion

It’s the right of every individual to be treated equally in society but it cannot be implemented if society does not adopt individuals who are disabled and crave to have a sense of belonging in the society. It is not just an individual but support from every individual that is required to make it a reality. Joining hands to work towards Inclusion is a way to go ahead. It’s not just accepting them in society; it’s also about treating them equally and helping each other in various circumstances. After all society belongs to all.

Disability Credit Canada welcomes disabled Canadians with open arms and helps them qualify for Disability Tax Credit and CPP Disability Benefits. Read the guidebook for more information or call us today for free assessment at 1-844-800-6020.