Disability Framework

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why do we need a framework?
3. How the framework has been developed
4. How the framework aligns with the broader vision for an inclusive Tasmania
5. Vision
6. Guiding principles
7. Priority areas and strategy
8. Where to from here?
9. Find out more

Introduction

Being physically active creates a wide range of benefits for individuals and the communities in which they live. Participation in sport and active recreation provides opportunities for social inclusion, enhances community identity and promotes community integration.

Through participation, individuals improve their health and wellbeing, develop relationships with others, learn and share community values and attitudes, and can gain a better understanding of other groups in society. Physically active communities are inclusive, healthier and happier.

Everyone is entitled to equal access to these benefits through the provision of inclusive sport and active recreation programs, services, facilities and environments.

Why do we need a framework?

Since the release of this framework in 2009, communication and collaboration between the disability sector and the sport and active recreation sector has improved.

However, there is still progress to be made in building the knowledge and confidence of the sport and active recreation sector, to create more opportunities to increase the number of people with disability participating, either through mainstream sport, or individually.

Tasmania continues to have one of the highest rates of disability of all Australian states and territories, with an estimated 119 500 people, or 23.7 per cent of the population living with disability¹. These individuals continue to face attitudinal, financial, social and physical barriers that limit their participation in sport and active recreation activities.

This framework provides a strategic and collaborative approach, enabling more sport and active recreation opportunities to be available to people of all abilities.

(1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2012), Disability, Ageing and Carers Australia: Summary of Findings, Australian Government, Canberra.)

How the framework has been developed

This document builds upon the inaugural framework launched in 2009, which was developed collaboratively between Sport and Recreation Tasmania, the Department of Health and Human Services Disability Services program and the former Tasmanian Sport and Recreation Association for People with a Disability, also known as TASRAD.

The framework was reviewed during 2013 and this version incorporates feedback from disability and sport and active recreation sector organisations, individuals and government agencies.

How the framework aligns with the broader vision for an inclusive Tasmania

The framework complements action already undertaken to achieve a new vision for Tasmania through:

• Tasmania Together
• strategies arising from the Tasmanian Disability Framework for Action 2013-2017
• the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in July 2013, which will provide people with disability in Tasmania with greater choice and control over the services they receive.

The Sport and Active Recreation Framework for People with Disability aligns with and complements the visions and objectives of these strategies and programs, in order to provide a consistent direction for the provision of sport and active recreation opportunities for people with disability.

Vision

All Tasmanians have the opportunity to participate in sport and active recreation.

Guiding principles

This framework adopts the principles agreed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

• respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy, including the freedom to make ones own choices, and independence of persons
• non discrimination
• full and effective participation and inclusion in society
• respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
• equality of opportunity
• accessibility
• equality between men and women
• respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the rights of children with disability to preserve their identities.

(2. UN General Assembly, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted 24 January 2007, A/RES/61/106)

In addition, this framework values and respects:

• the unique contribution that sport and active recreation activities make to the wellbeing of people
• the specialist skills of people in the sport and active recreation sector and those who know, support and are aligned with people with disability
• cooperative effort from the sport and active recreation and the disability sectors to increase the participation and enjoyment of people with disability.

Priority areas and strategy

1. Capacity building

Supporting the sport and active recreation sector to be inclusive, and supporting the disability sector to increase the participation of people with disability in sport and active recreation by:

• implementing inclusive policies and practices within the sport and active recreation sector
• educating sport and active recreation staff and volunteers to offer participation, coaching, officiating and administration roles to people with disability
• educating disability sector staff and volunteers on the benefits and opportunities for people with disability to participate in sport and active recreation
• providing people with disability with sustainable sport and active recreation opportunities
• providing people with disability opportunities to access pathways to national and international competition.

2. Collaboration

Developing partnerships and networks and encouraging informal links between people, places and resources that enable people with disability to participate in sport and active recreation by:

• enabling sport and active recreation and disability sector organisations to work together to provide inclusive participation opportunities
• developing an effectively functioning disability sport and active recreation network to improve communication and develop partnerships between the sport and active recreation sector and the disability sector
• building and maintaining a relationship with the Department of Education to improve the provision of inclusive sport and active recreation opportunities within the education system.

3.  Awareness and promotion

Sharing knowledge to increase the participation of people with disability in sport and active recreation by:

• providing and promoting information on inclusive sport and active recreation opportunities
• ensuring the sport and active recreation sector and the disability sector are informed of the funding and services available to assist with providing inclusive sport and active recreation opportunities promoting positive images of people with disability participating in sport and active recreation.

4.  Accessibility

Ensuring people with disability have access to sport and active recreation programs, services, facilities and environments by:

• increasing awareness of the need for sport and active recreation facilities and environments to meet current accessibility standards and guidelines
• providing support to sport and active recreation organisations to offer sport and recreation programs, services, facilities and environments to a broader range of people with disability
• providing support to disability sector organisations and people with disability to increase participation in sport and active recreation.

Where to from here?

Considering the needs of people with disability in the design and delivery of all policies, programs, services, facilities and environments, will make participation in sport and active recreation more inclusive and attractive for everyone.

Sport and Recreation Tasmania will work collaboratively with key government, non-government and sport and active recreation organisations to:

• address the priority areas and implement the strategies
• lead and guide organisations from both the sport and active recreation sector and the disability sector
• monitor and report six-monthly on progress
• review the framework after three years, in 2016.

Find out more

If you have any questions or would like to obtain a copy of this document in easy English, audio, Braille, large print or other format, please contact:

Communities, Sport and Recreation
GPO Box 123
HOBART TAS 7001

Phone: 1800 252 476

Email: sportrec@dpac.tas.gov.au