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About the author: Peter Downs
Founding Director - The Inclusion Club
Peter is Founding Director of The Inclusion Club and Manager of Play by the Rules – a national initiative to promote safe, fair and inclusive sport. Peter has worked for over 25 years in the field of inclusive sport, disability sport and physical activity including 17 years managing the Australian Sports Commission’s Disability Sport Unit. In 2013 Peter was fortunate enough to receive a Churchill Fellowship to study models of best practice in inclusive sport and physical activity.
Peter’s contributions
Paralympics and Olympics: Should they merge into one?
It’s not a new question, but it’s an evergreen one. When we conducted a poll on LinkedIn at the end of 2012 we were surprised at the strength of response we had. There was some really good discussion that raised some important issues around the integration of events for athletes with disabilities and athletes without disabilities. Continue Reading Paralympics and Olympics: Should they merge into one?
Sport Matters: For Everyone, For Life
Sport Matters is a new and dynamic organisation that is set to make a real dent in the world. Driven by a young yet experienced team they are a non-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives using sport as a tool for development in the Pacific, Asia, Africa and Indigenous Australia. In episode 40 we catch up with Chief Executive Officer Jackie Lauff and new team member Curtis Palmer. Continue Reading Sport Matters: For Everyone, For Life
Disability Action Plans for sport and recreation clubs (Part 2)
In part 2 on Disability Action Plans for Sport and Recreation clubs we run through a template for a typical DAP that could be used by sport and recreation clubs anywhere. This is a starting point. Something to help initiate and facilitate the process of setting up an effective plan. It’s not the end result. You will need to adapt and modify to your own needs, otherwise the Plan will not work for YOU. Continue Reading Disability Action Plans for sport and recreation clubs (Part 2)
Disability Action Plans for Sport and Recreation Clubs (Part 1)
Disability Action Plans can be very powerful for sport and recreation clubs. They are the blueprint for action on inclusion. In this first part of a two part series we look at the three key ingredients that make en effective Disability Action Plan. Continue Reading Disability Action Plans for Sport and Recreation Clubs (Part 1)
Inclusion WA: Connecting youth and community
Inclusion WA are based in Perth, Western Australia. In this episode we profit=le one of their many successful programs—one that connects disadvantaged youth, including young people with disability, to community sport and recreation. Some great tools and resources to help replicate their success. Continue Reading Inclusion WA: Connecting youth and community
Rough Riderz: Welcome to a world of dirt
Rough Riderz are a group on a mission. They want to create a fully inclusive downhill Mountain Bike racing community in the UK. Yes, Mountain Biking! They are well on the way to achieving that. Read their great story and see a model of inclusion that breaks many of the stereotypes. Continue Reading Rough Riderz: Welcome to a world of dirt
Working Together for Paralympic Sport in Oceania
The Paralympic Games in London had a huge impact around the world. The benefits go way beyond the excitement of the two weeks of competition. In this episode we explore the benefits the Paralympic Games, including the lead-up and aftermath, for the Oceania region. It’s a terrific story of cooperation and collective impact. Continue Reading Working Together for Paralympic Sport in Oceania
People with disability at the Olympics—not only Oscar!
During the 2012 Paralympic Games in London you would have heard a lot about Oscar Pistorius. He was often said to be the first athlete with a disability to compete in the Olympics. He was probably the most high profile, but he certainly was far from the first. Find out about ten other great athletes with disability that competed in the Olympics—right back to 1904! Continue Reading People with disability at the Olympics—not only Oscar!
2012 Paralympic Games—are they superhuman?
In the lead up to the 2012 Paralympic Games in London the host broadcasters, Channel 4, ran an advertising campaign that broke new ground in marketing disability sport. The ‘Meet the Superhumans’ campaign certainly got people talking—see the campaign and read about some of the contrasting perspectives about ‘Meet the Superhumans.’ Continue Reading 2012 Paralympic Games—are they superhuman?
Surf2Heal
Surfing is a great sport. Perhaps not synonymous with Ireland, but the Irish have a quite brilliant program that teachers surfing for young people with autism. We had a chance to catch up with Surf2Heal while attending the EUCAPA Conference. See our exclusive interview. Continue Reading Surf2Heal
Adaptation Theory to Practice (Part 2)
In this second part of Adaptation Theory to Practice and our look at the SEMA model from Israel, we look at the application of the model to real life practice. What are the steps that bring this model to life? We provide with a video presentation and our first ‘Infographic’ visual model of SEMA for your download. Continue Reading Adaptation Theory to Practice (Part 2)
Adaptation Theory to Practice (Part 1)
In previous episodes we have considered various models that can be used to create opportunities for people with disability in sport and active recreation, such as TREE and STEP. In this first part of a two part series we will look at the work of Shayke Hutzler from Israel and his outstanding work on the SEMA model. This first part considers the theory behind the model. Continue Reading Adaptation Theory to Practice (Part 1)
Making Contact
The first contact a person with a disability has with their local sports program is vitally important. It can make or break long term involvement and participation. So, we asked seven leading world practitioners how they create welcoming and inclusive environments for people with disability to turn up to. Seven videos—lots of insights! Download the free e-book from this episode. Continue Reading Making Contact
A short story of Matthew the cyclist
This is the story of Matthew Kallir-Preece, a young man with a passion for cycling. It’s also a story of how a local cycling club embraced and supported Matthew on his journey to the national championships. We interview Matthew’s mother and coach and uncover the secrets of inclusive success. Continue Reading A short story of Matthew the cyclist
Twin Sticks
Twin Sticks is a simple yet effective activity that can be adapted by anyone, for anyone. We love these sort of ideas! Niina Makela from Finland came up with the idea and in this episode we see it in action and have a chat to Niina about Twin Sticks. Continue Reading Twin Sticks
Sport 4 Socialisation
Sport 4 Socialisation is doing some great work in using the power of sport to transform lives in Africa. They aim to improve the quality of life and promote social inclusion of youth and children living with disabilities. They are practical and they are making a difference. Read all about them. Continue Reading Sport 4 Socialisation
The Story of Dancing Kitty
Who was it that said ‘Dance every day like nobody is watching’? You should! Dance is a great activity for everyone and in Manhattan there is a women called Kitty Lunn who is running some innovative and inclusive dance classes for the local community. Get your dancing shoes on and have a look at this great episode. Continue Reading The Story of Dancing Kitty
Sports Ability in North Queensland
Amanda Pascall lives in north Queensland in Australia and has been instrumental in establishing Sports Ability, an inclusive games program in her region. She developed a competition format with local community organisations and then, importantly, looked at how this can be sustainable for years to come. Some valuable lesson to be learnt here. Continue Reading Sports Ability in North Queensland