Abstract
Inclusive sports can be a powerful force for change – demonstrating the value
of diversity by breaking down barriers, empowering persons with disabilities
(PWDs), and promoting acceptance and understanding. Inclusive sports reinforces the message that sports is a fundamental right for everyone. The health benefits of inclusive sports are substantial and wide ranging. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of the onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and heart disease, and improves muscle strength and flexibility. For mental health, sports enhances self-esteem and promotes social acceptance and a sense of community. However, despite these positive impacts, PWDs have a markedly lower participation in sports, often due to significant barriers in accessing inclusive, structured, or well-managed facilities. This report chronicles the journey of the Ability Friendly Program (AFP), a remarkable Qatar-based initiative that functions as a sustainable platform for the future of inclusive sports in Qatar. The AFP succeeds with a combination of engaging PWDs in sport, innovative approaches to creating inclusive programs, and an enabling environment. The report highlights the strengths and challenges of the program, showcasing how, by designing a program that engages PWDs while understanding their fundamental right to participate as equals, we can create a lasting legacy for change that empowers PWDs and society as a whole.
of diversity by breaking down barriers, empowering persons with disabilities
(PWDs), and promoting acceptance and understanding. Inclusive sports reinforces the message that sports is a fundamental right for everyone. The health benefits of inclusive sports are substantial and wide ranging. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of the onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and heart disease, and improves muscle strength and flexibility. For mental health, sports enhances self-esteem and promotes social acceptance and a sense of community. However, despite these positive impacts, PWDs have a markedly lower participation in sports, often due to significant barriers in accessing inclusive, structured, or well-managed facilities. This report chronicles the journey of the Ability Friendly Program (AFP), a remarkable Qatar-based initiative that functions as a sustainable platform for the future of inclusive sports in Qatar. The AFP succeeds with a combination of engaging PWDs in sport, innovative approaches to creating inclusive programs, and an enabling environment. The report highlights the strengths and challenges of the program, showcasing how, by designing a program that engages PWDs while understanding their fundamental right to participate as equals, we can create a lasting legacy for change that empowers PWDs and society as a whole.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | World Innovation Summit Health (WISH) |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2024 |