Is accessibility enough? How to create quality experiences in parasport

In 2006, the United Nations endorsed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD) — a landmark convention that protects the right to participation in variety of social domains, including sport activities, venues, and services . T he CRPD has been ratified by Canada and 176 other countries around the world. Nonetheless, rates of sport participation among persons with a...Read more

Putting "Inclusion" into Practice for our LGBTQI2S Community

Like many sport organizations across Canada, the Canada Games Council (CGC) has recognized inclusion as a core value within its strategic plan, but what does that really mean in practice? For the CGC, inclusion includes policies, procedures and programs focused on opportunities for: Women Indigenous individuals Minority populations Individuals with physical disabilities Individuals with...Read more

Tips for Inclusive Programs for Persons with Disabilities

December 3, 2018 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities . This year’s theme is “ Empowering People with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality”. Here in Canada, we have reason to celebrate. The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, is shepherding Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act, through its parliamentary process...Read more

Thinking about Reconciliation on National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated annually since 1996. It is intended as a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. National Indigenous Peoples Day coincides with the summer solstice, a time when many Indigenous communities have celebrations due to the...Read more

Next Level Coaching – Building an Effective Leadership Style

Coaches, in a nutshell, are educated leaders who influence people to work towards a specific goal. Effective leadership in sport requires knowing the best approach for assisting players based upon their level of skills and motivation, and transforming that knowledge into a dynamic environment for learning and success. There is no right way to be a leader but there are various behaviours and...Read more

International Day of Persons with Disability

According to the Canadian Survey on Disability , 3.8 million Canadians self identified as disabled in 2012. On December 3 rd , the United Nation’s promotes International Day of Persons with Disability and the theme for 2014 will be “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology”. The UN has championed this day since 1992 to highlight the social, physical and economical barriers that people...Read more

Coaching - "Invisible" Disabilities

Participation in organized sport activities has been shown to increase self-confidence, social skills and peer acceptance. Young people with "invisible" disabilities (e.g. learning, emotional/behavioural, and speech/language) can often be overlooked because they have no outward physical characteristics that suggest they have diverse learning needs . As a coach, there are many ways to foster an...Read more

Inclusion in Sport and Physical Activity

Everyone in Canada should have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. It a recent ParticipACTION forum it was pointed out that those with disability can be expanded to those with limited access due to items like strollers or walkers. When this is taken into account statistics that state 1 in 6 Canadians have a disability can increase to much more. As a result it is...Read more