Next Generation Disability in Sport: Finding Our Voice and

Expecting Inclusion and Equality

Eli A. WolffSport & Development Project

Brown University

Inclusive Sports InitiativeInstitute for Human Centered Design

I Am Light

why should ihide in darkness

when i ambrilliant and beautiful

why can't itriumph or struggle

in public?why can't i

laugh or cryfor all to see?

i am mei am light

Generation Ali

FOSTERING TOMORROW'S LEADERS TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL GREATNESS, CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY

TO THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND CHANGE THE WORLD FOR THE BETTER.

"I define a leader as someone who stands up for justice and does not

block its path."

- Lapchick, 2009

Social Justice

"The goal of social justice is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society that is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure.”

- Adams, Bell & Griffin, 2007

Separate is not Equal

2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

To promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity

Paradigm Shift

The Convention marks a ‘paradigm shift’ in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities.

Persons with disabilities are not viewed as "objects" of charity, medical treatment and social protection; rather as "subjects" with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society.

The Convention gives universal recognition to the dignity of persons with disabilities.

Article 30.5 – The Right to Sport for All Persons with Disabilities

“The sport, recreation and play domain, far from being trivial, is essential for fully realizing the human rights promise.”

-Hubbard (2004)

CRPD Mantra

“Nothing About Us Without Us”

Universal Design

“Universal Design is a framework for the design of places, things, information, communication and policy to be usable by the widest range of people operating in the widest range of situations without special or separate design.”

“Most simply, Universal Design is human-centered design of everything with everyone in mind.”

- IHCD, 2012

Universal Design

• Built environment (indoors and outdoors)

• Information environment (print materials, way-finding/navigation and signs)

• Communication environment (telephone, web and multi-media)

Universal Design

• Policy environment (evidence of policies that impact equality of experience)

• Attitudinal environment (staff or administrative behavior or beliefs)

Inclusion

“Inclusion is the final stage of integration of people with disabilities in a sport competition or organization, in which they are involved, accepted and respected at all levels of the competition or organization.”

- Nixon, 2007

Organizational ContinuumRacism, Sexism, Ableism & Heterosexism

T TAD VDCMLSIEC

From Monocultural To Multicultural

Exclusive Organization Inclusive Organization

• Exclusive Club (EC)

• Lip Service to Inclusion (LSI)

• Tokenism (T)

• Critical Mass (CM)

• Tolerating/Accepting

Diversity (TAD)

• Valuing Diversity (VD)

Critical Change Factors Model (CCFM)

F1) Change/occurrence of major societal event(s) affecting public opinion toward ID group.

F2) Change in laws, government and court action in changing public policies toward ID group.

F3) Change in level of influence of high profile ID group role models on public opinion.

F4) Change in the level and nature of mainstream mass media portrayal of ID group.

F5) Change in the critical mass of ID group athletes attaining high athletic achievement.

Critical Change Factors Model (CCFM)

F6) Change in attitudes of key leaders in power elites who act as catalysts for breakthroughs.

F7) Change in perceived or real economic value of ID group as assets to the ruling power elites.

F8) Change in beliefs about the medical & intellectual stereotypes of ID group.

F9) Change in hiring practices toward ID group related to managerial and leadership roles.

F 10) Change in use of strategic processes by power elites to effect greater integration.

- Fay, 1999

Olympism

“Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”

- Principles of Olympism, Olympic Charter

Olympic Rings

“It belongs to everyone… It’s one of the most striking and important symbols…It’s an expression of universality and brotherhood of the world.”

- Rogge, 2008

Femalympics

Femalympians

FIFA Model

#onemovement

“R-word” campaign

Josh Duek

“Sport doesn’t care”

“Call me maybe”

“Rollaball” - Ghana

By raising awareness through worldwide media, global educational programmes, advocacy, and community projects, One Billion Strong leads a global initiative to strengthen disability rights.

"Disability is not a 'brave struggle' or 'courage in the face of adversity’ .... Disability is an art. It's an ingenious way to live.“

- Marcus, 2011

Next Generation Disability in Sport: Finding Our Voice and

Expecting Inclusion and Equality

Eli A. WolffSport & Development Project

Brown University

Inclusive Sports InitiativeInstitute for Human Centered Design