The Great Disability Challenge (GDC,) which includes sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, cane travel and a hearing simulation, is featured within the 6th Annual Cougar World Games at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Part of SIUE’s Global Awareness Week, the Cougar World Games will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at the Student Fitness Center.
“Those playing sitting volleyball will not be allowed to get off the floor during the game, allowing players to experience a Paralympic sport,” said Mary Ryan of SIUE Disability Support Services. The GDC is offered by the office of Disability Support Services at SIUE.
The hearing simulation involves listening to a muffled recording of a voice citing words to spell. “You have to figure out what words the voice is saying, giving you an idea of what the hearing impaired experience,” Ryan said.
Other events that will take place during the Cougar World Games include special demonstrations such as yoga, Zumba, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a musical performance, “Folk Music from Latvia,” by SIUE student cellist Magdalena Sustere.
The Cougar World Games is a special event designed to promote diversity, understanding and acceptance between groups with different cultures, backgrounds and ethnicities through participation in various recreational activities offered across the globe, according to Natalie Rosales, recreation coordinator at the Student Fitness Center at SIUE.
“The basic concept allows students to visit stations set-up as various countries and continents learning about culture, sports, music, ethnic foods and more,” Rosales said. “Station activities include table tennis, bouldering, cycling, arts and crafts, badminton, soccer and ethnic food”.
SIUE students who visit all stations that are part of The Cougar World Games will receive a 6th Annual Cougar World Games T-shirt.
The event is free and open to everyone.