Sport Ireland has launched a new Policy on Participation in Sport by People with Disabilities.
The policy, which explicitly sets out Sport Ireland’s position in relation to the important area of sport and physical activity participation by people with disabilities, was launched during the National Seminar for Inclusion.
It affirms Paralympics Ireland’s role as the lead agency in the support of high performance athletes with disabilities.
It also affirms the role of Cara in advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity, encouraging a national vision while supporting local provision, and building capacity through education and training programmes.
In total the new Policy statement outlines 14 actions that Sport Ireland is commiting to undertake in this area.
• Internally, establish a working group to assist and advise on our work in relation to people with disabilities in sport and physical activity and designate a support role to a staff member
• Include in all future strategies our specific commitments for the disability sector including targets across participation and high performance;
• Include in our annual reports a detailed accounting of our activities in relation to the disability sector for the previous 12 months;
• Provide training for all our Board members and staff around disability awareness in sport and physical activity;
• Complete the internal review of the Sports Inclusion Disability Programme and ensure that the review’s recommendations are implemented;
• Commit all grantees to sign up to a Disability Sport Inclusion Charter;
• Develop grant criteria and conditions to encourage implementation of the Charter throughout sport, acknowledging that a phased approach will be required which takes account of the different levels of resources available to, and readiness of, NGBs and LSPs;
• Support organisational development of agencies in the disability sport sector;
• Support the education and training of personnel, including coaches and other physical activities leaders;
• Designate CARA as the supporting organisation to assist with the implementation of Sport Ireland’s policy commitments in relation to participation in sport and physical activity among people with disabilities;
• Continue to support Paralympics Ireland as the lead organisation for high performance sport in the disability sector;
• Ensure that the Sport Ireland Institute and high performance service providers sign up to the Disability Charter;
• Include disability issues in sport and physical activity in our research programme and liaise with the disability sector and other relevant agencies (for example, Central Statistics Office) to ensure that participation in sport and physical activity by people with disabilities is regularly monitored and reported on and is evidence based;
• Promote sport and physical activity for people with disabilities through our communication activities.
“Sport Ireland is committed to the equal treatment of all people when it comes to their participation in sport,” said Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy.
“While this policy captures much of what has already been done within the sports sector over many years, we felt the need to underpin this with strong guiding principles which will make sure that we have a coordinated approach to ensure that the delivery of the sector’s efforts are more effective and accountable.”
“Sport Ireland funds and will continue to work closely with organisations such as National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships, Cara and Paralympics Ireland to ensure that there are opportunities for all to participate in sport.”
“Everyone, no matter what their background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity at a level of their choosing. In the publication of this policy Sport Ireland demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the number of opportunities to participate continues to increase,” said Minister of State for Sport Brendan Griffin.
In 2017, Sport Ireland has invested over €3.5 million in a wide range of organisations providing and promoting opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport and physical activity and in athletes with disabilities.
“It is fitting to launch this policy at this time as it is ten years since the Sports Inclusion Disability Programme was launched and Cara was established to provide supports to the Local Sports Partnership network,” added Sport Ireland Director of Participation Dr Una May.
“The policy takes into consideration what we have learned over the course of the last decade and maps out a way forward which will ensure that no matter what level people with disability want to participate at the opportunity will exist for them.”
“Sport Ireland looks forward to working with our funded bodies and other partners in the disability sector in bringing this policy to life.”
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