Disability Inclusive Development-through-Sport in the
Pacific: Theory of Change
AusAID / Australian Sports Commission
November 2013
Background
Recently the Australian aid program decided to better define the objectives around its developmentthrough-sport activities. This resulted in the creation of Development-through-Sport Joint Strategy,
developed between AusAID and the Australian Sports Commission, to target our investments around
development outcomes and link in with the Australian aid program’s strategic goals. The decision
was made to focus on two objectives where our sport programs could make the most difference:

using sport to improve health related behaviours to reduce the risk of non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) and

using sport to improve the lives of people with a disability – the subject of this theory of
change.
This document aims to:

clarify how disability focused development-through-sport programming can contribute to
improved quality of life of people with disability;

propose a Theory of Change to achieve this outcome; and

highlight key guiding principles and assumptions identified by stakeholders involved in
developing the Theory of Change model.
Situational Analysis
Based on the WHO (2011) estimates that 15% of any population will be people with disability, it is
estimated that at least 800,000 Pacific people are living with disability. There is very little evidence
about their quality of life, access to basic services and levels of participation in society. People with
disability in the Pacific face numerous barriers, including a cultural understanding of people with
disability that focuses on their impairment and perpetuates shame, prejudice and discrimination.
The cultural exclusion and negative attitudes towards people with disability is perpetuated by a lack
of physical access to and provision of education, employment, transport, health, justice services and
accessible infrastructure, resulting in their basic needs not being met. People with disability living in
regional and remote settings in the Pacific are further disadvantaged1. Government policy and
legislative frameworks, where they do exist, are often not supported by funding and support
services.
Despite challenges faced by people with disability, there are mechanisms including legal
frameworks, country and regional policies that can be drawn on to advance and promote their rights
and foster greater inclusion in community life as mentioned above. The establishment of the Pacific
Disability Forum (PDF) in 2002 and development of the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability shows
a regional commitment to increase investment in disability inclusive development. Seven Pacific
Island Forum countries have signed the Convention, three have ratified the Convention and nine out
of 14 Forum countries have Cabinet endorsed disability policies. This demonstrates a commitment in
the region to increase investment in disability inclusive development.
1
AusAID (2009). Development for All: Towards a disability-inclusive Australia aid program 2009-2014 (Development for All). Available at
www.ausaid.gov.au
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The reality is that Pacific people with disability continue to experience enormous barriers to
participate and benefit equitably and fairly from development. This is due to their continued
exclusion and the discrimination that they experience. Barriers experienced by people with disability
in the Pacific include:
Negative attitudes
People with disability and their families often face prejudice, discrimination and rejection. A 2005
review of NZAID’s disability work in the Pacific found that “the lack of awareness of even the
existence of people with disability and negative attitudes towards them was seen as the greatest
barrier to equity and empowerment” of people with disability in the Pacific.2 The same report found
that people with disability in the Pacific experience shame and are treated paternalistically, which
limits their potential and enhances their marginalisation. This view is shared in the PRSD which notes
that the traditional view in the Pacific is that people with disability are to be looked after or cared
for, and cannot be expected to take a full and active part in village community life, thus
marginalising them from mainstream life.3
Inadequate legislation, policies and standards
Inadequate legislation, policies and standards produce barriers to the participation of people with
disability when they do not take account of the needs of people with disability or safeguard their
rights. These barriers can occur at the political level, through the lack of appropriate national or
state laws and policies, and at the organisational level, where organisational policies restrict access
to services for people with disability.
Lack of accessibility
Built environments, transport systems and information are often inaccessible causing major
obstacles to achieving an improved quality of life for people with disability in the Pacific. Lack of
access to transport is a frequent reason for a person with disability being discouraged from seeking
work or preventing access to health care. Improving access to the physical environment is a crucial
element in reducing the vulnerability and isolation of people with disability and increasing their
participation in society both economically and socially.
Lack of access to, funding for and provision of services
People with disability are particularly vulnerable to weaknesses in service delivery across all sectors.
Issues such as poor coordination among services, inadequate staffing, staff competencies, and
training affect the quality and adequacy of services for persons with disability. Often people with
disability are excluded from decision-making in matters directly affecting their lives. Disability
Inclusive Development’s primary outcome is for people with disability to access the same rights and
opportunities for participation, contribution, decision making and social and economic well-being as
others. Furthermore people with disability in rural and remote areas, women and children with
disability and those with psycho-social, intellectual, or multiple disabilities frequently remain
marginalised and experience additional challenges in accessing social and economic services.
2
Nowland-Foreman, G. & Stubbs, D, 2005
McKinstry, G, Price, P., & Macanawai, S. (2004). “A Review of Policy and Legislation on Disability in the Pacific”. Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat in PDRS 2009
3
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Policy Alignment
An International Priority
Strengthening Australia’s focus on people with disability in the aid program is integral to sustainable
development and an essential part of achieving the Millennium Development Goals designed to
improve the well-being of the world’s poorest people by 2015. The Australian Government’s
commitment to people with disability is reaffirmed by ratifying the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008.
A Regional Priority
In 2009 the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability (PRSD)4 was adopted by Pacific Island Country
Ministers for Disability in the Cook Islands to set out practical mechanisms by which the Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat will support the governments of Pacific Island member countries to
implement the Convention. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is supporting necessary changes
across Pacific governments on disability inclusive development. Guided by key instruments
endorsed by Forum Leaders including the Pacific Education Development Framework, the PRSD
provides the mandate, support and resources needed to ensure national level improvements in
policy and legislation that is inclusive of people with disability.
An Australian Priority
In July 2011, enhancing the lives of people with disability was highlighted as one of ten development
objectives in Australia’s aid policy, An Effective Aid Program for Australia. This demonstrates the
Government’s strong commitment to disability-inclusive development.
Australia’s role in promoting the rights of and including people with disability in development
processes was first defined its strategy Development for All: Towards a disability-inclusive Australian
aid program 2009–2014. This Strategy “reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to
extending the benefits of development to all, and to promoting the dignity and well-being of people
with disability” The strategy’s primary outcome is to support people with disability to improve the
quality of their lives by better access to the same opportunities for participation, contribution,
decision-making, and social and economic well-being as others.
Rationale for using sport
Sport alone cannot address all of the challenges facing people with disability. However, the
increased global focus on disability inclusive development and growing commitment from
governments in the Pacific to address their needs has created an opportunity to use sport as a
vehicle to make a valuable contribution.
The 2011 World Bank-WHO World Report on Disability states that sport can improve the inclusion
and well-being of people with disability by:

changing what communities think and feel about people with disability through reducing
stigma and discrimination;
4
Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability 2010-2015
http://www.forumsec.org.fj/resources/uploads/attachments/documents/Pacific%20Regional%20Strategy%20on%20Disabi
lity.pdf
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
changing what people with disability think and feel about themselves through rights
promotion and empowerment; and

reducing isolation through promoting participation in public life.
In July 2011, the Australian Whole of Government Sport in the Pacific Working Group agreed AusAID
is well placed to provide increased assistance to people with disability in the Pacific. This support
aligns with the Australian Government’s aid program policy An Effective Aid Program: Making a real
difference-delivering real results strategic objective Promoting Opportunities for All and
commitments under its disability inclusive development strategy, Development for All: Towards a
disability-inclusive Australia aid program 2009-2014.
Including people with disability in sport can be a simple and immediate way to model social inclusion
– demonstrating how simple including people with disability in day-to-day community activities can
be. The small changes or modifications (and sometimes none at all) that may be needed to include
people with disability in sport can easily be transferred to other aspects of everyday life.
Two consultative workshops were conducted in May and June 2012 in Melbourne and Nadi to
discuss disability inclusive development priorities in the Pacific region and draw on the collective
knowledge and experience of a range of stakeholders from the disability and development sectors.
The outcome of these workshops informed this theory of change. The theory of change has also
been further refined based on discussions between AusAID and the Australian Sports Commission.
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Theory of Change
OUTCOME: IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITY
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOME ONE
Improvements in how people with disability
think and feel about themselves
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOME TWO
Reduced barriers to inclusion including
negative attitudes, stigma and discrimination
PATHWAY 1
PATHWAY 2
PATHWAY 3
PATHWAY 4
PATHWAY 5
Establish and
foster networks
through
partners, DPOs
and sport for
people with
disability
Create
opportunities
for people
with disability
to participate
in sport and
community
life
Involve people
with disability
in the planning
and design of
sport and
recreation
activities
Implementing
social
marketing and
behaviour
change
communication
Create
opportunities for
social interaction
through sport
activities and
programs
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Intermediate Outcome 1: Improvements in how people with disability think and feel
about themselves
Sport is a useful and cost effective tool to build and foster networks. Inclusive sport promotes
participation by bringing people together, facilitating interaction and providing accessible programs
to all. Opportunities also exist for disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) to forge networks through
the sport sector in advocacy efforts to promote the rights of people with disability to their
governments and the wider community.
Pathway 1: Establish and foster networks through partners, DPOs and sport for people with
disability
Activities under this pathway may include:

Activities that help create an enabling environment for the DPOs and sport associations to
engage with each other and then more broadly with the government. This may include:
-
Establishing regular coordination meetings with in-country disability
stakeholders
Capacity building of the DPOs and sporting associations to coordinate their
affairs in the long term
Strategically engaging the volunteer programs to fill skills gaps
Pathway 2: Create opportunities for people with disability to participate in sport and community life
Activities under this pathway may include:

Building the capacity of local communities, sporting organisations and DPOs to plan and
implement disability inclusive sport and recreation activities through training and support

Exploring opportunities to link in with the Pacific Community Based Rehabilitation plan of
action for opportunities to better reach rural and island communities

Ensuring community sport and recreational activities are family oriented

Communicating that ‘sport’ activities don’t solely mean ‘competitive sport’ but represent
fun and recreational activities. Providing sporting and recreation equipment and modified
options where needed

Ensuring sport and recreation settings are accessible for people with disability including
transport to and from the activities and easy access at the activity site.
The Australian Sport’s Commission’s inclusion spectrum (Attachment 1) provides a guide for how
this can be delivered. The four main settings for this include:
- In the local community
- In mainstream sport
- In activities delivered by DPOs
- In mainstream and special schools
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Pathway 3: Involve people with disability in the planning and design sport and recreation activities
Activities under this pathway may include:

Ensuring people with disability are central to the decision making process when designing
and planning sport activities

Developing an annual plan for dialogue, sport and recreation activities and training
opportunities from the community to the national level
Intermediate Outcome 2: Reduced barriers to inclusion including negative attitudes,
stigma and discrimination
Barriers to full participation in society for people with disability go beyond accessibility. They include
negative attitudes, stigma and discrimination. Opportunities to participate in sport can contribute
toward breaking down these attitudinal barriers through promoting inclusion, demonstrating ability
and challenging assumptions. Placing people with disability at the centre of decision making ensures
the benefits of development reaches everyone and rejects traditional beliefs and approaches that
people with a disability are objects without equal rights requiring care and protection.
Pathway 4: Implementing social marketing and behaviour change communication
Activities under this pathway may include:

Use of high profile sports people, both with and without disability, to advocate for the rights
of people with disability and deliver workshops and training

Undertaking advocacy and awareness raising activities both at the community level and
more broadly

Building the capacity of partners (sport organisations and DPOs) to measure and indicate the
impacts of inclusive sport programs.
Pathway 5: Create opportunities for social interaction through sporting activities and programs
Activities under this pathway may include:

Regular sport festivals, both mainstream and modified, ensuring broad stakeholder group
participation

Information/sport days for families of people with disability

Ensuring there is an annual plan and calendar for the various proposed festivals

Ensuring inclusive policies across the inclusion spectrum are embedded in sports
organisation’s strategic plans.
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Principles
The following guiding principles were developed and agreed to by consultation participants and will
guide all aspects of programming:

A rights-based approach: Activities will be underpinned in recognition and respect that
people with disability hold the same rights as others on an equal basis as provided for in the
United Nations Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Full and effective inclusion of people with disability: Efforts to influence attitudes and
promote inclusion will aim for full and effective participation and inclusion of people with
disability in society.

Central role for people with disability: People with disability will play a central role in the
design, implementation and review of all activities.

Gender equality: The interaction of gender and disability will be taken into account with
efforts made to ensure boys and girls with disability benefit equally from activities.

Include and respect children with disability: Necessary measures will be taken to ensure the
appropriate inclusion of and respect for children with disability.

Acknowledge and respect diversity: Various options for participation will be made available
to show respect and understanding for the diversity of lived experiences and perspectives of
people with disability and acknowledge the importance of freedom of choice.

Appropriate support for DPOs: Recognising that DPOs are often under-resourced, overburdened and that sport may not be a priority under their mandate, appropriate support
and adequate resources will be provided.

Appropriate support for national federations: Recognising that national federations may
not have the resources to include people with disability in their sport, appropriate support
and adequate resources will be provided.

Twin-track approach: In line with Development for All a twin- track approach will be taken so
people with disability have the opportunity to participate in sport as part of disability
specific process and activities or mainstream processes and activities where appropriate.

Use of the Inclusion Spectrum: The inclusion spectrum at Attachment 1 will be used to guide
the different ways in which people with disability can be included in sport throughout the
program.

Foster strong partnerships: Partnerships between DPOs and sport organisations will be
established on the basis of equity, respect and mutual objectives.

Ensure the accessibility of all activities: Practical steps will be taken to ensure accessibility
of all activities, including providing resources for modified equipment, assistive devices and
accessible infrastructure, transport and materials.
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Assumptions
 Sport is a priority for key disability stakeholders: Sport is viewed as part of their mandate
and a willingness to commit resources to this work will not affect their ability to undertake
other priorities.
 Disability is a priority for key sport stakeholders: National federations will see the value of
and make a commitment to include people with disability in their competitions.
 Sport is a priority for people with disability: Participating in sport activities is a priority for
people with disability, including women.
 Activities will be appropriate: Sport activities will be delivered in a way that is appropriate,
does not exclude people with disability (especially those that require modifications or
assistive devices to participate) and will lead to increased confidence and well-being.
 Sport and disability partners are willing and able to deliver activities: There are existing
sport and disability partners that have the capacity, networks and interest to implement
activities.
 Inclusion in sport will lead to inclusion in communities: Including people with disability in
sport will lead to increased inclusion and participation in community life.
 Promoting rights of people with disability will lead to their increased inclusion: Promoting
the rights of people with disability will contribute to addressing the barriers that exclude
people with disability from participating in public life.
 Partners can effectively manage available funding and resources: Participating partners,
including DPOs, have the capacity to adequately manage the funding and resources available
through the initiative.
 Effective partnerships can be established: Partnerships between disability and sport
organisations can be established to produce tangible outcomes.
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ATTACHMENT 1: ASC’s Inclusion Spectrum
Inclusion of people with disability is about providing a wide range of options
Being inclusive is about providing a range of options to cater for people of all ages, abilities and
backgrounds, in the most appropriate manner possible. Inclusion encompasses a broad range of
options in many different settings.
The inclusion spectrum
A common misconception about inclusion is that it is solely about including people with disability in
regular sport activities without any modification. Inclusion encompasses many different options in
different settings. Inclusion in sport can be viewed in terms of a spectrum. Each section of the
spectrum is as important as the next, and ideally there would be programs for people with disability
available in all sections to choose from.
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Examples of the inclusion spectrum






No modifications: an athlete with an intellectual disability may train and compete with
athletes without intellectual disability at a local swimming club
Minor modifications: a vision impaired tenpin bowler using a rail for support
Major modifications: a seated shot-putter competing under separate rules using modify ed
equipment against other athletes with disability in an integrated track and field competition
Primarily for people with disability: athletes with disability and their able-bodied peers
combine to form teams for the purpose of developing a wheelchair basketball competition
Only for people with disability: goal ball players participating in a competition exclusively for
people with vision impairments
Non-playing role: people with disability can be officials, coaches, club presidents, volunteers
and spectators.
The following factors will influence the section/s of the spectrum an individual chooses to participate
in:




their functional ability
the sport in which they are participating
the opportunities within their local environment
their personal preferences.
The inclusion spectrum allows games and activities to be delivered in different ways, with more
options. The aim is to encourage higher quality participation by people with disability, both with or
away from their able-bodied peers. Clubs can provide a range of options by adapting and modifying
their sport in different environments.
In the local People with disability should be supported to access sport activities in their local
community:
community. This is the most cost-effective way of including people with disability
in sport, will lead to a greater sense of belonging to their community and reduce
the costs of transportation to participate in centralised sport activities. This can
be achieved by working with Community Based Rehabilitation providers,
churches. families and the local community to identify opportunities and develop
inclusion plans
In mainstream Recognising that it is often simpler to include people with disability in existing
sport:
activities rather than starting new activities, efforts will be made to engage with
local National Federations (NFs) to identify potential opportunities. This can be
achieved by conducting marketing campaigns to promote the value of including
people with disability in sport; advocating for inclusion of disability events or
people with disability in mainstream sport competitions; identifying and assessing
the capacity and commitment of sports to deliver inclusive sport activities;
providing NFs with inclusive sport training, materials and equipment; and assisting
NFs to develop disability inclusion strategies.
In
activities The initiative will consider supporting those DPOs that demonstrate an interest in
delivered
by including sport as one of the services they provide to their members.
DPOs:
Acknowledging that many disability specific sports are unlikely to have a local NF,
this will give people with disability, particularly those with high support needs, an
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opportunity to participate in sports with a potential pathway to a higher level.
This can be achieved by conducting marketing campaigns to promote the value of
sports participation to DPOs and their members; identifying and assessing the
capacity and commitment of DPOs to deliver sport activities for their members;
providing DPOs with the necessary training, materials and sports equipment to
run activities; and assisting DPOs to develop and run sport activities.
In mainstream Training teachers and working with NFs to deliver sport activities for children with
and
special disability in mainstream and special schools is a relatively simple and low cost way
schools:
of including people with disability in sport. This can be achieved by working with
the local Ministry of Education to support the training of teachers, provision of
materials and getting approval for NFs to go into schools to deliver sport
activities; and meeting with Head Teachers/Principals to make space in the class
schedule for sport and physical education/activity sessions.
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