Let young people have their say on their own physical activity experiences.
As coaches and supporters of young people, we want to make sure everyone who participates – regardless of their ability – enjoys a positive sport experience and gets all the great benefits that sport has to offer.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to make sure we include the participant’s voice from the beginning.
Watch this video to hear some of the reasons it’s important for disabled young people to lead and have a say on their own physical activity experiences.
Tips to adopting an approach which is inclusive.
When looking to adopt an approach that’s inclusive, in most cases it’s often making sure you have the basics right. Here are a few tips.
- Supportive coaches, parents, caregivers and whānau: A positive attitude from adults can give young people the confidence, self-belief, and ability to try new experiences. While giving disabled participants all the support they need, we should also avoid treating them too differently from others and encourage them to try new things.
- Designing activities based on participants needs: Disabled people aren’t defined by their disabilities, and we shouldn’t assume they can’t participate in a certain activity. Think outside the box and see if there are creative ways everyone can get involved, whether it’s through providing special equipment or other support. A great approach is to involve disabled participants early on and ask them for their thoughts on what might work.
- Embracing opportunities and encouraging variety: Every young person should be encouraged and supported to try the sports that interest them. Avoid limiting involvement to only disabled sports and explore what opportunities may be available in local clubs or groups for disabled people to participate.
For more tips and resources on fostering inclusive environments where all young people can enjoy being active, check out Sport NZ’s Inclusivity Hub.
https://sportnz.org.nz/inclusivity-hub/disability-inclusivity
