Tools and Practice
More and more coaching resources and materials are emerging that focus on including people with a disability in sport. The principles of adapting and modifying activities to include people with a disability are constantly developing as research and programme development continues.Key Tips for Including People with a Disability in Sport:
- Treat people with disabilities who participate in sport as athletes;
- Focus on what the athlete can do and has the potential to do. A lack of skill does not necessarily indicate the lack of potential ability;
- Teaching or coaching style, rules, equipment and the environment can all be adapted and modified to promote active participation from every person;
- Use the athlete as a resource of information on themselves, and ask them what they can do and how specific tasks may be modified to suit their skill level;
- Whether a disability is acquired from birth or later in life may have an impact on a person’s basic skill level;
- Including people with disabilities is simply good coaching.
