Communication
Effective, inclusive, and accessible communication by municipal recreation leaders and front-line staff helps break down barriers, making it easier for persons with disabilities to take part in both unstructured and structured recreation and physical activity programs.
These strategies were shaped using a research method that lets organizations adopt existing guidelines exactly as they are, adapt them by making some changes, or develop new recommendations from scratch. All the advice below was adapted and based on the Assisting, Informing and Motivating Physical Activity (AIMPA) Recommendations. A consensus panel decided which parts to include based on their professional knowledge, lived experience, and academic expertise. They also helped revise the drafts, making sure that all changes were based on both evidence and the panel’s real-life experiences.
Executive Summary
The strategies below are to support municipal recreation staff or volunteers to communicate with persons with disabilities more effectively. These approaches to implementation highlight the importance of using consistent language and definitions when supporting and communicating with persons with disabilities, as well as clearly and accurately sharing the elements of your programs, facilities and services that support their participation. They are divided into two groups below:
Use Clear Language and Common Terms
Here, you will find definitions of key words to communicate appropriately with persons with disabilities.
Be Detailed When Sharing Program Information
This section describes the type of details to communicate when speaking to, and engaging with, persons with disabilities.
