eXerium – activities with intellectual disabilities
Special Olympics Finland is part of the global Special Olympics organization that organizes sporting activities for people with intellectual disabilities. In Finland the actions are organized by The Finnish Paralympic Committee under Special Olympic Finland and campaign #SamassaJengissä encourages to join the movement. Special eSports is accessible eSports for various special groups, for example people with intellectual disabilities, who can now play games in recreational and competitive level and get physical, mental and social activation during friendly competitions in the spirit of Special Olympics
Purpose
In Finland it is estimated to have approximately 50 000 people with intellectual disability. Sports and physical activities with social interaction and mental exercises support daily life of people with disabilities in many ways and increases equality and inclusion in society.
eXerium is a health and wellness technology company, which has developed novelty accessible game controllers and exergames with health benefits. Products were developed originally for rehabilitation, but now they are also used for eSports competitions and recreational gaming of different special groups, for example Special Olympics athletes. Controllers and games design ensures that gaming will activate important muscle groups and movement patterns especially in area of body, limb and balance control.
Results
During the Championships eXerium moved over 400 disabled individuals and in 2020, era of COVID isolation, there were over 300 persons having regular and fun activation by exergaming. First international event will take place in 2021 autumn.
Implementation
eXerium has been activating and moving this important group of people and supported Special Olympics to enable sports for people with intellectual disabilities.
Special eSports Network and eXerium organized the first Special eSports Finnish National Championships in 2019. Preliminary round were held in eight cities around Finland and finals at Assistive Tech Fair “Liikuntamaa” section, which is the exhibition area for accessible sports.
In Finland the actions are organized by The Finnish Paralympic Committee under Special Olympic Finland and campaign #SamassaJengissä encourages to join the movement.
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