Background resources

Inclusive sports equipment usually involves three people: a Player or Athlete, an inclusive sports coach, and a carer. Each person has different needs and priorities when considering a new piece of sports equipment product. Issues include:

Issues

For the player/athlete

  • Performance of the product in the game/sport.
  • Is it easy to learn/use in a performance routine.
  • Will a routine need to be modified.
  • Does it look ‘cool’.

For the inclusive sports coach 

  • Is it legal within the rules of the game/sport.
  • Can it be used long-term to improve performance.
  • Is it easy to set up and break down during competition.
  • Is it compact.
  • Easy to carry and store.
  • Is it durable.
  • Low cost.

For the carer

  • Will it cause long-term damage from extended use.
  • Is it portable and compact (fit in a car boot).
  • Is it lightweight.
  • Is it durable.
  • Low cost.

References

Equal play. This beautiful and compelling documentary uncovers the transformative power of sport for disabled people, through the experiences of two British children who are striving to be included:

 - The video presents three new inclusive sports products: A low-cost sustainable Boccia ramp, Low-cost sustainable Golf game, and a floor standing basketball frame that can be made in a garden shed.

The importance of sport for children with disabilities – and the lengths their parents go to access it - 

- Sharing models of good inclusive practice in sport and recreation for people with disability.

- This free resource is to provide new product and service developers and industrial designers with the methods and heuristics to more effectively design and develop assistive technology (AT) products or services.

Working together. The changes suggested by ParalympicsGB's Equal Play campaign would be a good start.:

- A useful site to get ideas on how to produce one-off adaptions.