With the ramp up to the Brisbane 2032 Paralympics well underway, we have seen an increasing number of calls from sporting organisations and venues keen to achieve higher standards of accessibility and inclusivity. With high level of recognition and trust among everyday Australians, blown away by the achievements of our Paralympians, Paralympics Australia is ready to lead a new era in what an inclusive Australia could look like.
Universal Design (UD) is about creating and designing things that work well for everyone.
Instead of making special versions for people with different needs, Universal Design aims to design products, programs, buildings, and services that are naturally usable by as many people as possible from the start.
Universal Design is simply good design that benefits us all.
One of our key strategic goals is to increase access to sports and opportunities via universal, inclusive, and accessible design principles, aimed at promoting accessibility, inclusivity, and equal opportunities within the realm of sports and recreation.
Paralympics Australia engaged Ellis Jones to commence the progressive development of a comprehensive design strategy that incorporates universal design principles, and which will ultimately enhance access to sports facilities, documentation, training, and learning and development for people with a disability.
The initial strategic framing of the project covered several important considerations such as what role should the organisation play as a progenitor of universal design; where should Paralympics Australia look to extend and deepen its own adoption of universal design; and, what behaviour-informed strategies would be required for motivating sports organisations to use the guide.
The Universal Design Guide for Creating Inclusive Sport in Australia acts as a valuable reference for sports representative bodies adopting inclusive practices, as well as sports clubs and venues who want to get started on the journey.
The guide addresses structural, process and attitudinal barriers to inclusivity and universal design and comprises:
This guide is a ‘living document’, through user testing, the guide will be refined and updated as Paralympics Australia builds its presence and activity to make Australian sport accessible and inclusive.
Importantly, this work is a key means by which Australia is meeting the commitment it made to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Importantly, this work is a key means by which Australia is meeting the commitment it made to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Use it. Share it. And if you have feedback, let us know via the EOI or program email below. Let’s improve it.
This guide was developed as part of the Paralympics Australia ParaPower Mentoring Program ILC Grant funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
You can get involved in the Beyond Sport Mentoring and Employment Program by registering your interest as a collaborator, employer, organisation, supporter, athlete/PwD doing paid work for your expertise, mentor, mentee, and/or ask any questions.
If you have any accessibility requirements or need assistance, please let us know how we can support you, and if you have any questions, or would like to submit via email, please contact us via email.
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