The secondary schools programme for pupils with intellectual and physical disabilities was launched almost 10 years ago, and runs during the course of the school year.
Pupils from Logan Park High School, Queen's High School, Bayfield High School, Sarah Cohen School and Otago Girls' High School participate in the programme.
Otago University Rowing Club director Glen Sinclair oversaw the six-week rowing segment. Pupils were given the opportunity to use the only indoor rowing tank in the country at the university club and complete races on the rowing machines.
Rowing is just one of the sports in the programme, which also includes swimming, soccer, cricket, basketball and athletics.
Professional practice fellow at the University of Otago's School of Physiotherapy Julian O'Hagan, who helped launch the programme, said it was about giving the pupils the opportunity to engage in physical activity and sport.
''We want to get them to do something physical and keep active once they have left school, so it's thinking now and also for the future,'' he said.
''In some ways, they are segregated sometimes. So we want them to be seen and participate with the rest of the students in the school. Treat them like normal human beings and give them normal opportunities they wouldn't normally have.
''I think it's certainly unique in Dunedin, and I don't know if there's any other places that are doing it in New Zealand.''
The majority of the pupils this year have intellectual disabilities, but O'Hagan said there had been ''quite a few'' with physical disabilities in the past.
The pupils will start weekly one-hour sessions of football from next week.
