Sports for Inclusion
Everyone should be able to experience the incredible physical, mental and social benefits movement brings - whoever you are, however you move. But too many children with disabilities face barriers preventing them from playing.
The power of equal play
Sports are an essential part of life, improving physical and mental health, developing physical literacy, building community and friendships, fostering self-confidence, and are simply fun. At HOPE, we love sports, and we believe sports have the power to transcend linguistic, cultural, and social barriers and bridge divides to foster a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous society.
As the world and the global sporting community face unprecedented challenges, our Sports for Inclusion Program is committed to using the power of sport to heal and create positive change.
The Activity Gap
We all know sport and exercise are good for us, but many groups of people around the world are excluded from participating in sport. None more so than children with disabilities.
Negative and misguided attitudes about disability, as well as lack of adaptive sports equipment and inadequate inclusive sports training for coaches and sport administrators all unfairly restrict children with disabilities from playing alongside their peers. These challenges are amplified in Africa, where poverty, lack of resources, and severe discrimination against disability rooted in cultural practices and tradition can prevent children with disabilities from accessing education, forming friendships, joining community life, or participating in any form of physical activity.
This exclusion not only represents an affront to the human rights and dignity of children with disabilities, it is also a tragic loss of potential for society.
Mission
Our “Sports for Inclusion” project aims to shatter the activity gap by creating inclusive sports opportunities for children with disabilities in Africa. Through inclusive sports, we break down stigma and discrimination against disability, transform negative and misguided perceptions into positive attitudes, and promote diversity and inclusion amongst all participants of all abilities and throughout the broader community. We focus less on disability and more on ability and shared humanity, and our programs include children with and without disabilities playing together, because we believe no matter how we look or move or think, when we play together, we become teammates, friends, and equals.
Inclusive sports empower children with disabilities by enhancing health, confidence, and social skills while fostering independence and inclusion in education, work, and community life.
Inclusive Sports for a More Inclusive World
People with disabilities face barriers like inaccessibility and discrimination – not because of their impairments, but due to societal obstacles. At HOPE, our “Sports for Inclusion” project leverages the benefits of inclusive sports to drive policy reform, advocate for equal rights, and advance the disability rights movement worldwide.
Together, let’s champion a world where every child with disabilities can thrive.
Led by Our Values
Collaboration
Inclusion
Community-centered
System-driven
Get Involved
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