Disability Inclusion and Accessibility in Sports Clubs
Everyone should have the opportunity to join a club and be a part of the action in any role they choose.
Why is sport inclusion and accessibility important in sports clubs?
Benefits of sport inclusion for people with disability
Offers the chance to enjoy the same physical, mental, and social benefits from participating in sport and physical activity as those without disability.
Provides a space where communication, teamwork, and leadership skills can be built upon and strengthened in a fun and engaging way.
Can help break down social and cultural stigmas or barriers for people with disability and create change within local communities.
The journey to inclusion for your sports club is simple. Here's how to get started:
Register and take our inclusion
check-in survey.
Start your journey to inclusion with our simple, 3-minute check-in survey. And don’t worry if you’re new to inclusion; we all start somewhere! With your answers, we can identify the areas where your club is doing well and highlight the ones that need more focus on increasing disability and accessibility inclusion. This is achieved through the help of the Sport4All online learning workspace.
Discover our award-winning
inclusive sports training.
Be a part of our fantastic training program! You can view accessible videos, which are available in multiple languages with more being added, access posters with helpful tips, and useful checklists to help your club become an inclusive environment for people with disability.
Already registered?
Make a difference in your club.
Put what you’ve learned into practice by drafting your Sport4All Inclusion Action Plan (SIAP) with the support of our Inclusion Coaches! Your SIAP will provide your club with a clear outline of how you will promote inclusive actions across your sports program(s). The SIAP details the annual actions that your club will commit too and speak to how they support increased participation across all roles at your club for people with disability.
Here are five things sports clubs can do today to make their club a more inclusive place.
1. Be open and flexible. Inclusion in sporting clubs and sport organisations is important and there are so many ways people with disability can be involved in your club, whether it’s playing, coaching, being part of the committee or even volunteering.
2. Use person-first language. Put the focus on the person, so that they come before their disability e.g. “a person with disability”.
3. Ask, don’t assume. Ask the person with disability how they would like to participate. Avoid making assumptions about what they can and can’t do.
4. Accessibility helps everyone. Remember that small changes can have a big impact on a person with disability.
5. Get your club involved. Kickstart your inclusion journey by registering to take part in Sport4All’s inclusive sports program.
Hear from our community.
“Inclusive sport matters because it can be a big step to approach a sporting club when you want to get back into or begin a new sport. If it’s handled well and people are welcomed and included, it can have a significant positive impact on a person’s life and wellbeing. An inclusive sporting organisation would be one that actively promotes inclusion and accessibility both to people with a disability and to regular members.”
– Mike Rolls (GSA Associate and an avid golfer)
