Access

 

Physical access to your club premises and facilities is important for everyone: people with disability, the elderly, people who have had a recent accident, families with young babies etc.

There is much to consider and review when determining whether you provide accessible options. For example:

• providing ramps for people who use a wheelchair
• people with injuries or on crutches
• parents with prams/strollers
• making sure to reserve disability parking places in front of your venue
• ensuring toilet or canteen facilities are accessible to all
• making signs coloured and clear for people with a vision impairment.

Some groups in society are also more isolated than others and may find limited access to sporting venues or lack support networks to allow them to play. Is it safe to walk to and from your club and venue? You could consider developing transport systems to help people to get to and from your venue or discuss car-pooling opportunities within your teams to minimise this hardship.

What is often more difficult is creating a ‘welcoming environment’ for people who come to your sport for the first time. Do people have access to the right information in their language or in a format they can understand? Encourage positive and sensitive interaction by all members (particularly committee members) that is accepting and shows willingness to cater for differences.

Are people able to find out about your club and what it offers? Providing information about the sport and/or your club to community groups and local councils will help create greater awareness on how people can access and join your activities.

Watch the interview with Graeme Innes.

Transcript