When attempting to render our sport activities more inclusive, frequently the emphasis is laid on accommodating people with diverse needs and abilities within regular or standard activities.
In this post you will acquire knowledge of:
what the inclusion spectrum constitutes
how to adjust the inclusion spectrum to your sport
how to recognize a range of activity options
Modifying or adjusting sport activities to satisfy the needs, skills, and abilities of participants can be a straightforward means for programs to become more inclusive. You can gain an understanding of some of the ways this can be accomplished here. Nevertheless, it is frequently presumed that the best or sole way to generate opportunities for participation is to alter the regular or standard sport activities – you know, the ones we always provide. This implies that other alternatives that might engage people are frequently disregarded. It is vital to comprehend that inclusion encompasses numerous distinct options in a variety of settings. It is not always about including a person in standard sport settings without any modifications, and it’s also not merely about making a few alterations to standard activities either (although this is clearly an excellent starting point).
So how do we proceed with creating more options for participation and go beyond what we have always done? Well, we can commence by viewing inclusion in sport activities in the light of a spectrum. The inclusion spectrum pertains to contemplating the range of available options and adapting them to align with the needs, goals, and capabilities of participants. Each element of the spectrum should be regarded as equally significant as the next. Ideally, there would be activities on offer for a range of people to select from across all elements.
Before we examine some examples, here’s some background on this concept: Back in 1996, the first version of the Inclusion Spectrum was devised by Ken Black. Ken’s original Inclusion Spectrum adopts an activity-centred approach to the inclusion of people of all abilities in physical activity. In other words, it pertains to contemplating the various ways sport can be presented. In this manner, the Inclusion Spectrum provides methods that assist sports practitioners in achieving a balance between the activities offered and the individual needs and desires of participants. The model was later redeveloped by Ken Black and Pam Stevenson into a more practical tool for application by sport practitioners. This model has been utilized extensively in the UK and around the globe since its conception. It has also been adapted.
An adaptation specific to sport
Swimming Australia adapted the Inclusion Spectrum model to fit the swimming context. They named it the Aquatic Activity Spectrum and once again, it adopts the same fundamental principles of the original Inclusion Spectrum but offers a sport-specific filter for a more effective application in the swimming and aquatic activity environment.
Alternate
Participants focus on specific skills or activities, leading to more successful inclusion in the entire group. In certain cases, to attain successful inclusion, participants need to practice separately initially. This should not be the majority of the time, and the emphasis is on transitioning into the main group activity.