Sport without barriers: a hands-on experience in inclusion.
Sport becomes truly meaningful when it is accessible to everyone. At the School of Physical Education and Sport Science — one of the two schools that jointly deliver the Bachelor in Sport & Exercise Sciences for Health and Performance — inclusion is not a concept; it is an experience.
In celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the School organised an experiential inclusion activity in collaboration with Kleio Thessaloniki. The initiative aimed to promote awareness, empathy, and active participation through sport.
Athletes, students, shared ground.
The event brought together undergraduate students, academic staff, and elite athletes with visual impairments, including members of the national team, accompanied by their coach. Through this unique interaction, participants had the opportunity to experience firsthand the dynamics of inclusive sport.
During the opening remarks, Professor Konstantinos Alexandris, Dean, and Professor Evangelia Kouidi, Department Chair, emphasised the school's strong commitment to inclusive education and its strategic goal of strengthening student awareness and engagement in adapted physical activity.
Experiencing inclusion.
By stepping into the role of athletes with visual impairments, students moved beyond theory and developed a deeper understanding of accessibility, teamwork, and human capability.
The core of the event focused on the Paralympic sport of Goalball. After an introductory demonstration by visually impaired athletes, students actively participated in the game wearing blackout masks that simulated the absence of vision.
This immersive approach allowed them to better understand the sensory, cognitive, and teamwork demands of the sport, transforming learning into a powerful personal experience.
From experience to engagement
Beyond the practical experience, the activity had a tangible impact. Many students expressed a strong interest in volunteering and becoming involved in sports programmes for individuals with visual impairments.
This initiative reflects the broader mission of the School: to use sport not only as a means of performance, but as a powerful tool for inclusion, education, and social change.
At the School of Physical Education and Sport Science, we believe that sport has the power to unite, empower, and transform — creating opportunities where barriers once existed.