Every Australian should be able to participate in sport and physical activity in a welcoming and inclusive way. They should be treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination, harassment, and abuse.
People with intellectual disability and/or autism contribute to and benefit from the many outcomes sport provides us, individually and within larger communities.
By understanding the needs of individuals and using a strengths-based approach, participation in sport and physical activity is more welcoming and rewarding for all individuals. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely ‘fits all’ because inclusion is not achieved by having everyone doing the same thing.
The Inclusive Sport in Schools program is designed using the principles of inclusion and delivered as a Unified Sport offering, allowing students with and without intellectual disability and/or autism to participate together. This helps change negative attitudes towards people with disabilities while also increasing competition opportunities.
The 7-Pillars of Inclusion are a great reference point to understand how to address inclusion and diversity. The 7 Pillars model provides a ‘helicopter’ view of inclusion, which looks at the common elements that contribute to creating inclusive environments that reflect the communities we live in.
The seven pillars are:
- Access
- Attitude
- Choice
- Partnerships
- Communication
- Policy
- Opportunities
