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Communication

How-to Strategies

Use Clear Language and Common Terms

  • Use clear and consistent language to explain terms like physical activity, adapted, accessibility, integrated, and inclusive.
  • Follow established disability terminology from reputable sources. For example, Employment and Social Development Canada.
  • Remember, the preferred language in the disability community can change, so stay flexible.

Our glossary and the Assisting, Informing and Motivating Physical Activity (AIMPA) recommendations  provide many useful definitions of common terms.

Be Detailed When Sharing Program Information

To ensure persons with disabilities and their support networks know about your recreation and physical activity programs, give clear and detailed information about programs, staff, and facilities. Make sure to include the following information:

  • Who is running the recreation program — Share details about your organization (background, mission, values, policies), staff and their qualifications (photo, interesting facts, proof of security check), plus whom to contact for questions.
  • What is offered — Clearly describe activities, how inclusive they are, competition levels, who can join, costs (fees, possible financial support, refund policy), equipment needs, support options (like the Ontario Assistive Devices Program or Easter Seals Equipment Funding), and reviews from other participants.
  • Where the recreation program is happening — Provide a full address, list all accessibility features, give transport details, and keep people informed if there’s construction going on. Check your facility’s accessibility regularly using resources such as the ADA Checklist or Abilities Centre Accessibility Standards.
  • When the recreation program is available — Publish exact dates, times, session plans, and make it easy to check when information was last updated.

Example: Multi-Sport Program

This example is one of several included in the AIMPA recommendations. Municipal staff may refer to this example to help them in developing and communicating  a recreation-based program that suits the needs of the participants in their programs and services.

Our multi-sport program is an introduction to a range of sports and social skills that foster confidence in a non-competitive environment. This program is recommended and best suited for children (ages 4–12) who are beginners in sport with little experience. This program is fully inclusive of children with physical disabilities. Participants are taken through a variety of sports over eight weeks, spending two weeks on each sport learning skills and fundamentals. Over the eight weeks, children are introduced to four sports: track and field, wheelchair basketball, taekwondo and boccia. While learning the fundamentals, the program will focus on developing participants’ agility, balance, coordination and confidence. Participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottle, any assistive devices, running shoes, and comfortable clothes to ensure they can fully participate to the best of their abilities. The ratio of staff to participants for this program is 1:3. Inquiries for 1:1 support can be made to the support supervisor at [Email Address]. The Multi-sport program will cost $200 for the entire eight-week program. If you require 1:1 support, an additional cost of $50 a week is applied. If you’d like to learn about various subsidies or funding options to help your child participate in the program, please visit [Website] or contact [Name] at [Contact Information]. If you would like to learn more about our multi-sport program, you can contact us at [Email Address] or call us directly at [Telephone Number] ext. [Extension Number]. We also offer an in-person information session where parents or caregivers and the child can come in and try the program and meet the instructors the week before each program begins.