Celebrating IDSDP by training for disability inclusion in sports

To aid the empowerment of people of all abilities, and celebrate International Day of Sports for Development and Peace 2016, Plan International Ireland in collaboration with the CARA Centre and UNESCO IT Tralee facilitated a one day training for Disability Inclusion in sport on Saturday 9 April in Dublin, Ireland. Our aim was to build positive perceptions around inclusion and disability, and give the tools and skills to deliver inclusive sport programmes in any community.

The day also involved an introduction to the disability inclusion for sports training we ran in Togo and Ethiopia with community volunteers, and field workers, in 2015. Encompassing both the local and the global, the power of inclusive sport for personal development, was realised by everyone involved, and it was positive to see everyone going away with new ideas to inclusivize sport in their communities.

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace was the perfect time to reflect on the strength and power that sport can have on the advancement of personal development. By facilitating a training which explored perceptions of people with disabilities and the barriers that may prevent their inclusion in society, we asked people to stop and think about ways to better involve and provide the means for every child, regardless of their abilities, to enjoy a life involving games and sport.

During the day everyone also took part in several sports games and activities, which invited the participants to consider the perspective of those with an impairment, or those who might find it more challenging, to get involved with sports. It was encouraging to see everyone involved excited about putting their new skills into action, and work together to promote positive changes to involve all children in sports.




[This article has been edited by the Operating Team]