Municipal guide for disability inclusion launches on UN Day, championing change
Dr. Janet Lawson has helped to develop the Municipal Guide for Disability Inclusion in Recreation and Physical Activity
Active Abilities Canada and the Canadian Disability Participation Project 2.0 (CDPP 2.0) are launching the Municipal Guide for Disability Inclusion in Recreation and Physical Activity to coincide with International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on December 3. IDPD is an annual UN day that promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development.
Dr. Janet Lawson, an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, has been involved in creating the guide. She says the guide is a comprehensive look at how communities can manage inclusive programming.
The guide looks at everything from human resources policies to facility considerations.
“Once we are able to open our doors and provide inclusive programs where persons with disabilities can meaningfully participate, we see they experience a sense of belonging and are able to challenge themselves and learn new skills, just as anybody else would,” says Lawson.
The power of small choices
“It is the small choices that have a really profound impact on the experience of persons experiencing disability.”
The process of developing the guide took over a year. Lawson says a key takeaway from the process is that small actions can make a big difference. She says that just considering better ice times for inclusive programs can really help someone with a disability. This is especially true for those who rely on public transport or have set eating schedules.
“Whenever people think of these challenges, it can feel very broad and overwhelming,” she says. “But by and large, it generally is the small choices that have a really profound impact on the experience of persons experiencing disability.”
Expert insight: from para sport to policy
For Lawson, her journey in supporting people with disabilities began during her undergrad at Camosun College. Her work experience led her to wheelchair rugby and basketball. This sparked her interest in para sports as a whole.
“I found there were a lot of challenges and opportunities to develop new skills and give back in a meaningful way,” says Lawson. “It’s actually quite easy to navigate those challenges, if you have a good attitude and you’re willing to listen to the people experiencing disability themselves.”
Moving forward
“This is the end phase one, but implementing it and getting it into the hands of Canadians is the next step.”
Lawson says it will take a long time to make communities more inclusive if everyone waits for laws, guidance, or training workshops. But, by asking the people who want to access programs, “What can we do to make this an accessible experience for you?” we can very quickly identify ways to approach inclusive environments.
Lawson says she hopes the municipal guide sparks interest and excitement among people in Canada.
“This is step one of obviously a very long process,” says Lawson. “This is the end phase one, but implementing it and getting it into the hands of Canadians is the next step.”
She says they are looking for community champions to showcase the benefits of the guide in action. She says when municipalities start using the guide, they can learn from those experiences and improve parts of it.
Lawson hopes to examine the participation of Indigenous peoples who experience disability across Canada. She says there are additional barriers and considerations that she’d like to see addressed in future editions or supplemental materials.
Participate in the official launch
Active Abilities Canada is hosting a webinar on Dec. 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. to celebrate IDPD and the official launch of the guide. The webinar will share success stories and show how to boost disability inclusion in municipalities, organizations, and communities. Everyone is welcome – no matter the role they play in the sector.