PAAL offers inclusive recreational activities at USask
A USask Rec program with a 33-year history at the University of Saskatchewan is making a difference in the community.
Physical Activity for Active Learning (PAAL) is a program designed for individuals of all ages living with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Its mission is to provide quality physical activity with an emphasis on fun, skill development, and social interaction.
Jessica Skuce has been a PAAL participant since 2005. Her mother, Denise Skuce, said the program gave Jessica a new perspective on doing things that she didn’t think she could do.
“Jessica started when she was about nine or 10 with child PAAL and moved on to teen and adult PAAL,” said Denise Skuce. “When she was about 18-19, the student program coordinator recommended that Jessica just come to volunteer, as she was very helpful with the other younger participants in the groups. This was a huge confidence boost for her. She loves to be around the other participants and volunteers. She is now 30 and loves going every week.”
The program began in 1992 as a summer sport camp that involved aquatics, dance, and gymnastics. The initial activities were chosen because of the space available in the College of Physical Education at the time. As the years progressed and the Physical Activity Complex was opened in 2002 on the USask campus, PAAL evolved into Saturday morning programs for children and teenagers, Wednesday afternoon programs for teenagers and adults, and the PAAL Fitness program on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
PAAL has also brought research benefits to USask’s College of Kinesiology. Over the years, research has been conducted on topics such as cerebral palsy and bone health, and PAAL has provided student research and conference presentation opportunities. Researchers in the college are currently examining bone health and physical activity in children living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).