Disability and Inclusion in the Outdoors
Types of Disabilities
Disability Groups
There are a number approaches to grouping different disabilities, for example by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and on the Disability Support Guide website. The Disability Resource website also has a number of different categories, and is designed for volunteers and staff who are involved in facilitating sports and active recreation experiences to gain an understanding of working for people with disabilities. The Resource section provides a number of PDFs that outline the more common types of disabilities and conditions, including a brief description of the disability, issues to consider when programming sport and active recreation activities, strategies for inclusion and a discussion of behaviour management issues.
Hidden Disabilities
In addition to these categories, there is increasing use of the terms hidden or non visible disabilities to talk about disabilities or conditions that may not be immediately apparent. The Hidden Disability Sunflower network, which works with thousands of travel, tourism and retail businesses worldwide, and lists over 900 different hidden disabilities on their website, advocates the use of a sunflower lanyard by people living with a hidden or non visible disability.
Focus of these resources
While this resource will address some of the more common disabilities, for example neurodiversity, it will not try to address the individual needs of people living with a wide variety of disabilities. Instead it will focus on providing universal advice and resources that will be applicable to providers and staff to use when welcoming people whatever their disabilities.
Neurodiversity
Autism and ADHD are examples of neurodivergence.
Neurodivergence is NOT mental illness.
“Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.”
(Baumer & Frueh, health.harvard.edu, 2021)
Many people from neurodiverse communities are advocating for their right to embrace and celebrate their unique strengths and be supported to thrive in Australian society.
Amaze is a Victoria based organisation that aims to shape a better future for autism through advocacy, campaigning and supporting Autistic people. They offer a variety of services to the community, including a number that are directly relevant for outdoor organisations that work with autistic people, including:
Free phone, email and web chat service, providing information and support. For example this service can be used by providers if they have questions relating to information provided in advance of a visit by a school or other group that includes an autistic individual. The initial support (for each enquiry) would be free of charge, although there may be a cost for any additional follow up required for that enquiry.
Autism Connect helpline 1300 308 699
Free phone, email and web chat service
Free phone, email and web chat service, providing information and support. For example this service can be used by providers if they have questions relating to information provided in advance of a visit by a school or other group that includes an autistic individual. The initial support (for each enquiry) would be free of charge, although there may be a cost for any additional follow up required for that enquiry.
Autism Connect helpline 1300 308 699
Training and Professional Development
Amaze can offer training and professional development for staff to build their capacity to support autistic people. Amaze is able to tailor this support for your individual needs.
Online resources
Quality, evidence-based information and learning available 24×7 for individuals, families and professionals. This includes:
A free online ‘What is Autism’ course:
Downloadable resources.
Future ‘Outdoor Recreation Hub’ on Amaze’s website
We are currently working with Amaze to put together a set of resources aimed directly at autistic people, their families and supporters. This will include a range of articles on how to access outdoor experiences as well as a directory of providers in the outdoor recreation and outdoor education industry who have experience or specialise in dealing with a range of needs for autistic individuals.
If you are interested in being involved with this resources or want to know more, please contact Andrew on:
careerscoordinator@outdoorsvictoria.org.au
Diagnosis of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing across the community. It is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood and affects your brain’s executive functioning — and the ability to self-regulate and control thoughts, words, actions and emotions.
It can cause issues concentrating, individuals becoming distracted, being hyperactive (sometimes) and impulsive.
What is ADHD – Short animation explaining ADHD developed with funding from Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership and Foundation Scotland.
