Domain 8: Accessible Sport and Recreation

Adults with disabilities may require support to participate in social and recreational activities in their communities, including access to accessible parks and recreation facilities, as well as amateur sport and recreation activities inclusive of, and specifically organized by and for, persons with disabilities.  Article 30 of the UN CRPD aims to ensure that signatory states provide access to the full range of mainstream sporting, recreation, and leisure activities (e.g. from NHL hockey games to accessing nature in national and other public parks).^[1]

Innovations in the sport and recreation realm have taken place in at least four domains – adaptive technologies, field-building, organized sport, and inclusive community recreation.

The range and level of sophistication of adaptive technologies to enable participation, and performance excellence, is truly staggering; from early inventions like monoskis to aerodynamic ultra-light racing wheelchairs, and bionic prosthetics that uncannily mimic (or in some cases vastly exceed the capacities of) natural limbs.  Adapted physical activity (APA) has also exploded as a branch of applied kinesiology focused on enabling participation in the context of sport and recreation.  APA services and supports are provided in all kinds of settings requiring active movement or high performance.^[2]

To further explore Domain 8: Accessible Sport and Recreation, click to explore the sub-domains below:

Access to Competitive Sport

Access to Community Recreation