Page 47 - Sportability

to the margins of society. Across ancient civilizations, This is where the complexity of language becomes
including India, people with disabilities were often apparent. We must redefine certain terms and expand
viewed as burdensome or even dangerous, leading to beyond the realms of education and employment as
their exclusion from mainstream life. This exclusion the sole inclusive domains for persons with disabilities.
extended to various settings, such as orphanages, This ambiguity is also reflected in the legal framework.
mental hospitals, and segregated schools, where
individuals with disabilities were isolated from society. The language of inclusion in sports should embrace
Unfortunately, negative attitudes persist today, anyone interested in regular physical activity,
perpetuating the exclusion of people with disabilities extending beyond mere physical participation to
from community life, educational institutions, and encompass a broader social dimension that welcomes
workplaces. This exclusion is manifested through a everyone, regardless of ability or background. Inclusive
lack of accessible environments, which hinders their sports foster a sense of belonging, participation, and
participation in social, academic, and professional community, emphasizing the value of social interaction
activities. and connections. By embracing social inclusion in
sports, we affirm the inherent dignity and worth of
In schools, inadequate infrastructure and resources every individual, transcending barriers and promoting
create barriers to learning and interaction, fostering a more cohesive and equitable society.
disinterest and apathy among disabled students and
their families. Moreover, parents and guardians of Harnessing the Power of Sports
non-disabled children often oppose inclusive policies, During his speech at the Laureus World Sports Awards
fearing disruptions to the learning environment and in Monaco on May 25, 2000, Nelson Mandela famously
negative influences on their children’s progress. As a stated, “Sports has the power to change the world.
result, disabled children may be relegated to special It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite
schools or segregated classrooms, further perpetuating people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken
their exclusion from mainstream education. Teachers hope where there was previously only despair. Sport,
and school personnel may also contribute to this in many ways, speaks to people in a language that they
exclusion by viewing disabled students as unfit for can understand.” His visionary words resonate with the
inclusive education and lacking the necessary support transformative potential of sports in society.
to accommodate their needs.
Indeed, sports possess the unique ability to inspire,
However, exclusionary practices ultimately hinder unite, and awaken hope where there was once only
the development and progress of disabled individuals, despair. For far too long, certain segments of our global
highlighting the urgent need for inclusive policies and society have faced marginalization and isolation. It
environments that promote the full participation and has resulted in an automatic exclusion or barrier for
integration of people with disabilities in society, schools, them in terms of their participation and involvement
and workplaces. As rightly stated, “exclusion in such a in social, academic or professional activities (Rekha
way, however, may hamper their adequate development & Murthy, 2019, .p. 5). However, sports serve as a
and progress in life.” (Rekha & Murthy, 2017, .p. 5). unifying force, breaking down barriers and fostering
inclusion. It provides a platform for individuals from
Understanding social inclusion in sports diverse backgrounds to come together, promoting
When we think of inclusion of individuals with understanding and solidarity.
disabilities, our minds often gravitate towards their
integration into education or vocational training Challenges and Barriers to Social Inclusion
programs. Both of these topics have been discussed in Sports
extensively in various documents. One prominent Let’s delve into the heart of the matter: understanding
example is The United Nations Convention on the the most prevalent obstacles faced by individuals with
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), an disabilities in the realm of sports. How many sports
international human rights treaty ratified by the United personalities with disabilities readily come to mind?
Nations. While Article 30 of the UNCRPD emphasizes How long must someone like Deepa Malik or Avani
the importance of “encouraging and promoting the Lekhara persist before their remarkable achievements
participation, to the fullest extent possible, of persons are given the recognition they deserve? Why do
with disabilities in mainstream sporting activities at exclusionary norms, negative attitudes, and insufficient
all levels,” there’s still a lot of confusion about what policies persist, hindering full participation? Shouldn’t
changes need to happen for this to work. we acknowledge that individuals with disabilities are

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