By Tom Degun

paralympics ireland_follow_your_star_19-04-12April 20 - Paralympics Ireland have officially launched the Follow Your Star programme which is an initiative aimed at giving young people across the country a greater understanding Paralympic sport.

The launch event took place at St Pius BNS in Dublin and was attended by Irish Paralympic athletes Nadine Lattimore, Padraic Moran, Anne-Marie McDaid and Ellen Keane.

The initiative is aimed at primary school students and their teachers and provides free online resources that allow users to learn more about the Paralympic Movement and Paralympic sport in Ireland.

It is hoped that the programme will establish positive perceptions among young people of individuals with disabilities and to encourage them to support the Irish team at the London 2012 Paralympics and beyond.

"This is a great new resource for Paralympics Ireland," said Naomi O'Reilly, the programmes manager for Paralympics Ireland.

"We hope that it will inspire young people throughout Ireland to learn more about Paralympic Sport and support the Irish team at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and onwards to Rio 2016 and beyond."

The online resource, www.followyourstar.ie, offers multimedia lessons, lesson plans, and activities which aim, through the medium of Paralympic Sport, to inspire children to strive to achieve and realise the limitless possibilities of their imagination.

It also encourages them to embody the Paralympic values of determination, courage, equality and inspiration throughout their lives.

In total, 3,400 primary schools will receive promotional literature on the campaign.

Schools participating in the scheme will also be in with the chance of receiving visits from some of Ireland's top Paralympic athletes, such as double Beijing 2008 champion Jason Smyth, after the London 2012 Games.

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