The Inclusion Spectrum

The Inclusion Spectrum

The Australian Sports Commission promotes an ‘inclusion spectrum’ of how clubs can engage people with a disability in sports. The elements of the spectrum are: no modification, minor modification, primarily forpeople with a disability, only for people with a disability and non-playing role.

Here are some examples of each element in the spectrum:

• No modifications  A child with an intellectual disability participates in the local AFL Auskick program.
• Minor modifications A lawn bowler who uses a wheelchair uses a bowling arm to bowl.
• Major modifications A secured shot-putter competes under separate rules using modified equipment against other athletes with disability in an integrated track and field competition.
• Primarily for people with disability Soccer players with vision impairment play blind football with people without a vision impairment who wear blindfolds.
• Only for people with disability A team of adults with an intellectual disability play in the FIDA (Football Integration Development Association) league however are part of the wider club.
• Non-playing role People with disability can be officials, coaches, club presidents, volunteers, and spectators.

Adapted from Australian Sports Commission fact sheet ‘Inclusion in Sport’: