Today USA Gymnastics hosted a webinar focusing on working with special needs athletes and the HUGS program. USAG is developing an educational track for clubs and coaches working with athletes who have intellectual or physical disabilities and how to include these kids at your gym.
The first half focuses on recreational programming while the second half speaks to the Special Olympics and the competitive HUGS Program. I haven’t had a chance to watch the full webinar (it’s over an hour long) but from what I have seen this is a great starting point for introducing special needs programming and a tool for training staff for these programs.
