As parents, we want nothing more than to see our children thrive. It doesn’t matter whether that success comes in the form of academic achievement or athletic accomplishment, we just want to see them do well. When it comes to athletics, most of us understand that when a child experiences the joy, health benefits, and social or emotional benefits of sports, then they are getting something valuable out of the experience. Unfortunately, this journey isn’t always as cut and dry for some children as it is for others.
Indeed, many families, especially those with children who have disabilities or unique circumstances, might have trouble finding actual inclusive sports programs. Access to inclusive programs is often limited to location, funding, and community understanding of the importance of such programs. This is where things can get challenging for some folks. In these cases, the experience of finding inclusive opportunities can be frustrating, discouraging, or even heartbreaking—for both the parents and the children involved.
In this article, we aim to lessen the sting of encountering such difficulties by giving parents practical steps to avoid them. As it happens, there are many ways that parents can advocate for their children, work with programs to improve inclusion, and create better opportunities for themselves and others.
What Does Inclusivity Mean?
Before diving into opportunities or solutions, it’s essential that we clarify what inclusion means when it comes to sports.
Inclusive sports programs are those programs which welcome and support all children, regardless of their physical abilities, cognitive or developmental differences, cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic status, gender identity, or any other factors. Inclusion means that every child can feel valued and receives the support they need in order to thrive.
These sports programs tend to be rather adaptable, not only in terms of equipment and rules, but in coaching styles and the very environment that children play in. Changes are made and balanced so that every child can participate in the activity as safely as possible. Moreover, these alterations are made so that no child has to struggle to participate, so that they can enjoy themselves the same way any other child would.
How to Know if Exclusion is Occurring
The thing is, exclusion isn’t always as overt as one might think. Your child may be being excluded by a program in subtle ways that aren’t apparent in the first practice session, or even the first season. That said, there are some signs parents can learn to recognize and use to identify when a program isn’t serving all kids equally.
Lack of Adaptations or Modifications: If the program’s coaches don’t adjust drills or rules to accommodate players with disabilities or different skill levels, it might mean they aren’t equipped to deal in an inclusive manner.
Limited Accessibility: If facilities are not wheelchair accessible or there is a distinct lack of adaptive sports equipment, they they likely haven’t even considered the idea that some players might possess disabilities or challenges.
Negative Attitudes or Language: Negativity is the most obvious evidence of exclusion in. youth sports. For instance, if coaches or other players frequently make insensitive comments or show impatience toward children who learn or move differently, then this is not the program for your child. Besides, neither you nor your child needs that kind of negativity in your lives.
No Diversity in Participation: You can tell a lot by looking at the members of a youth sports program. For example, if the program’s roster lacks diversity in terms of ability, race, gender, or economic background, then they might very well be excluding certain people. Regardless of their reasoning, this can be a serious issue.
Inflexible Scheduling or Costs: If the program’s time, location, or fees are prohibitive in anyway, they might be designed to exclude families who cannot meet certain criteria. Always look into it before making any accusations, but it is definitely not a good sign.
Limited Communication: If the coaches or staff are dismissive or simply don’t engage with parents about their child’s needs or progress, they might not care. If that’s the case, they will likely be dismissive to your child as well, and that doesn’t help anyone feel valued or considered.
What You Can Do
If you noticed any of the above issues with your child’s sports experience, don’t be alarmed, there are ways to change things and steps you can take to enact those changes:
Communicate Your Child’s Needs Clearly and Early
We’ve said it before and we will say it again; communication is everything! If you have doubts or problems with a program or those that run it, don’t stay silent. Parents with concerns should reach out to coaches, program directors, or organizers to discuss their child’s specific needs. Don’t dance around the subject, be firm but polite and make certain that your words are clear and honest. Above all else, be prepared to explain your child’s abilities and any necessary accommodations. Use your experience as a tool. Share past positive experiences and effective strategies with officials. Also, offer to collaborate on solutions for your child. Remember, the issue could be as simple as the program not knowing how to support your child. They might just need to be educated.
Educate Coaches and Staff
Speaking of education, don’t be afraid to offer resources or suggest training on inclusive coaching techniques and disability awareness to program officials. Note that many organizations even provide free or low-cost workshops for coaches on topics like adaptive sports techniques, disability etiquette, or in some cases, cultural sensitivity and anti-bias training.
Advocate for Reasonable Accommodations
Avoid “demanding” anything when you first approach the officials. The key here is to be respectful and request reasonable accommodations. If you need help, cite laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accommodations of that sort might include:
- Modified practice drills or rules
- Additional time to complete tasks
- Accessible equipment or facilities
- Assistance from aides or volunteers
Make sure you have all proper documentation from your child’s healthcare providers and therapists. Paperwork and proof will always lend credence to your claims and will ultimately support your requests.
Seek Out Alternative or Specialized Programs
If your current program cannot or will not accommodate your child’s needs, look elsewhere. Some places you might look into are:
- Adaptive sports leagues
- Inclusive community sports organizations
- School-based unified sports programs
- Local Special Olympics chapters
The programs listed above often have trained staff and a culture of inclusion that will make you and your child feel more at home.
Connect with Other Parents and Advocacy Groups
Finding peers or kindred spirits is a good way to help support others who might be in the same situation. Parents who face similar challenges can be invaluable allies in the fight for inclusion. To this end, you might consider joining a support group, an online forum, or a local advocacy organization. Within these social networks, parents can share information about inclusive programs, advocate for policy changes, and organize community events or teams for athletes who might be disabled.
Create Your Own Opportunities
When all else fails, parents might even consider creating their own inclusive sports opportunities. You could start a neighborhood inclusive sports club for children with disabilities or partner with schools or community centers to open up inclusive clinics or camps.
Advocate for Policy Changes
In the same vein, parents might want to advocate for policy changes within their local area. As before, avoid any implication of demand. Instead, work with local schools, parks and recreation departments, or youth sports associations to develop inclusion policies and guidelines. You can help these organizations train staff on diversity and inclusion. Money is bound to be needed in any event, so try and help these organizations by providing guidance and proper documentation. This way, they can properly allocate funding for adaptive equipment and facilities. Remember, policy-level change might not happen right away, but it always creates a lasting impact beyond a single child or program.
Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, the barriers to inclusion are not nearly as sturdy as they used to be. Each day, the world becomes more enlightened about the struggles that some families face when it comes to disabilities, and as it does, more opportunities arise. Certainly, navigating the world of youth sports can be complicated for those whose children have disabilities, and can be even more troublesome when inclusion isn’t prioritized. Be that as it may, parental advocacy, communication, and support can still hold sway. Yes, with the right tools and attitude, you too can make a tremendous difference in your child’s experience, as well as the world of youth sports at large.
As you wend your way through challenges of your own, try and remember that inclusion is a journey you take with your child; there is no catch-all solution for society’s stubbornness and whatever you achieve in service to the greater good will not equate to a one-time fix. Yet though progress may feel slow at times, every small step forward opens new doors. Your persistence as a parent can and will help change attitudes, programs, and policies—creating a better sports environment for your own kid and countless others!
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