National Seating & Mobility’s Post

What does it mean to be included & participate in sport? This paper explores this question & more as it explores contemporary discourse about disability & sports participation through the lens of iconic rugby players Rob Burrow & Kevin Sinfield. https://lnkd.in/eGum4zDg

Who would have thought that collectively holding our breaths, and clenching our knuckles could bring us closer together? Watching England vs Spain a few weeks ago in the final of the Euros with my daughter and seeing her disappointment when the final whistle blew took me back to my first football match. As you might imagine it was at Old Trafford. I was 10 years old, and saw the mighty Reds Devils draw 0-0 against Torpedo Moscow in the UEFA Cup. Despite a lacklustre result, the feeling was incomparable. But it wasn’t just the excitement of the game or the atmosphere. Being in those stands and cheering on the team alongside thousands creates a real sense of unity. In these moments, regardless of who you are, there is a sense that we were all in it together. Fast forward to 2024, and I am long-standing Manchester United season ticket holder with my friend Ryan Pereira. Sport has a unique gift that allows us to find that all important common ground regardless of our background. And this ability should never be underestimated. Yet with all its power to bring about connection, we sadly know that the beautiful game has on several occasions fallen short of creating an entirely inclusive and unifying atmosphere for all. This is just one of the reasons why it’s an honour to be involved with the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS), which is committed to guiding clubs towards enhanced inclusivity and community outreach. Attending multiple panels with my PLEDIS colleagues has offered valuable insights into the community involvement and efforts of football clubs. Many are actively promoting inclusivity within stadiums, actively combating issues like racism and homophobic chants, whilst also battling online hate. The panels are starting up again during preseason, and I’m looking forward to seeing the progress that continues to be made. You know the line all too well - we still have a long way to go. Yet, I truly believe that we are taking important steps towards ensuring that everyone who walks into a stadium can experience the connection that team sports can bring. The Premier League #football #inclusion #community

Did you know? There are over 100 million disabled people♿ living in Europe today. That's a significant portion of our society that deserves equal access and inclusion in every aspect of life. Even more striking, 75 million people worldwide – approximately 𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. (Source: World Health Organization) This highlights the importance of creating accessible environments and experiences for everyone. Together, we can make a difference by ensuring our spaces, services, and attitudes are inclusive for all. Let’s start with the most inclusive game at Club Atlético de Madrid together with Integrated Dreams and the World Football Summit. It’s time to set a new standard for accessibility in football! Join us in making a difference and ensuring that everyone can enjoy the game. UEFA Champions League #Accessibility #Inclusion #DisabilityAwareness #AccessibAll

Women and girls still face too many barriers to participating in sport, resulting in a persistent gender gap in participation. The Health Barriers to Girls and Women in Sport report, published by the Women and Equalities Select Committee, states “The particular challenges faced by girls to sports participation arise from a combination of gender stereotypes that promote the very outdated notion that sport is a predominately male sphere. In addition, there are health and wellbeing issues experienced only, or predominately, by girls." Youth Sport Trust Women in Sport Sport England #GirlsSport #WomensSport #TeamSports #GenderGap #Equality Read more: https://bit.ly/3VSaGnU

We are #UMNMorrisProud to observe National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Feb. 7. Title IX was a public law passed in 1972 that completely changed the women’s narrative in sports. The legislation called for equal participation of everyone in all the programs and activities that were federally funded, which meant all public schools would ensure equitable sports opportunities to the students, regardless of their gender. Title IX was a breakthrough in women’s sports. Before this, only one in 27 girls had access to sports activities. But, today, that statistic has improved to two in five girls. #NGWSD #RollCougs https://lnkd.in/g8CrHDqh

The question addresses both motivation and timeline, raising the question of how long individuals with disabilities will be compelled to advocate for their respect and dignity. With inherent human qualities identical to ours, it is vital to acknowledge them as individuals first, before recognizing their disabilities. LOGOS Transformation believes in the capabilities and introduces a sustainable model for dignified livelihoods. Dr Annie Theodore Abhishek Gier Aman Ratnasamy Jaya Chakravarti Charles J Rajiv Samuel Mani https://lnkd.in/gTn82Fa5

The rising cost of youth sports is debilitating. A survey was conducted by the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics, with half of the respondents who played youth sports or who have children who have played saying they have struggled to afford the costs to participate.The issue impacts a broad range of Americans of all backgrounds, but Latino/a families felt it most. How can we locally and nationally change our pay-to-play model? #YouthSports #EquityInSports #PayToPlayCosts #PositiveCoaching #PCAProud

Today is the first day of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time dedicated to recognizing and understanding the unique workplace challenges and opportunities faced by individuals with disabilities. Did you know? -It has been estimated that up to 27% of Americans live with a disability that impacts their daily life? This means 1 in 4 adults have some type of disability. -As of 2022, the employment-population ratio for persons with a disability was 21.3%, compared to 65.4% for those without a disability. This NDEAM, let’s rekindle our dedication to fostering more inclusion and a greater understanding of disabilities within our workplace. Take a listen to an interview I did about inclusion and accessibility in the workplace: https://lnkd.in/gS74J-_v

The Buffalo Bills partnering with the NGFFL is a positive step towards inclusivity in sports, showing support for LGBTQ+ athletes and fans. It's not just about playing football; it's about creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. When Cole Beasley asks "But why?" the answer seems clear to me: visibility and support matter. The NGFFL isn't just a league; it's a community where LGBTQ+ individuals can come together, be themselves, and enjoy the sport they love. The National Football League (NFL) , with its massive influence, has a unique opportunity to set an example, and the Bills are doing just that. For many LGBTQ+ people, sports can be a challenging environment due to the fear of discrimination and lack of representation. Initiatives like this partnership help to change that narrative, showing young LGBTQ+ athletes that they have a place in the sports world too. It's about more than football; it's about acceptance and breaking down barriers. To those questioning the need for such sponsorships, consider the impact of feeling seen and supported. It's about making a difference, one step at a time. Kudos to the Buffalo Bills for taking a stand and supporting inclusivity. It's actions like these that pave the way for a more accepting and diverse sports community. And Cole Beasley, I'm pretty sure that neither the Bills, New England Patriots, Giants, Jets, Dolphins, Cardinals, Bears, Commanders, nor Seahawks really care what you think. Get over it! #LGBTQIA #Sports #Inclusion #NFL

Track and Field in the United States: Performance vs. Discrimination Explore the reality of discrimination in track and field selection based on race. Discover the importance of performance and finding a place where your skills are valued. Join the conversation on equality and inclusion in athletics. #TrackAndField #EqualityInSports #PerformanceMatters #InclusionInAthletics #RaceInSports #DiscriminationInSports #AthleticOpportunities #SportsEquality #DiversityInTrackAndField #AthleticInclusion