D.D.A. guide: Joining in
D.D.A. guide: Joining in
Sport
A
person with a disability has a right to take part in sporting activities
in the same way as people without a disability.
This
means a person with a disability must not be excluded from playing a sport
if he or she is:
- Capable
of playing the sport, or - Selected
to play the sport on the basis of his or her skills and abilities.
A person
with a disability should also not be excluded from any administrative
or coaching activities associated with the sport. For example, if a person
with a disability has the necessary skills to play cricket or swim competitively,
he or she cannot be excluded because of asthma or a hearing loss.
Clubs
and associations
A
person with a disability has a right to be a member of a club or association
in the same way as a person without a disability. This includes sporting,
social and licensed clubs, drama or music groups, political parties, business
associations, and self-help groups.
What
is expected?
The Disability Discrimination Act (D.D.A.) makes it against the law for
clubs and associations to discriminate against a person because of his or
her disability. This means clubs and associations cannot:
- Refuse
to accept an application for membership from a person with a disability - Provide
membership on less favourable terms and conditions. For example, a club
may want to offer a person with a disability part membership or charge
that person more for membership. - Limit
a person's access to the benefits and activities offered by the club
or association because that person has a disability. For example, restricting
the activities a person with a disability can take part in or the hours
he or she can use the club.
The
Act also means that the premises and facilities of clubs and associations
should be accessible to people with a disability. (See the fact sheet
The
Ins and Outs of Access.)
Like other areas of the D.D.A. a defence of "unjustifiable hardship"
may be available.