ALACD is proud to present its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. Its creation and implementation mark a new era of revitalization for the organization. We hope you will work with us to realize a society where people of all abilities can choose how they participate in physical activity, recreation and sport.
ALACD’s new Strategic Plan focuses on three overarching areas – Influence, Connection and Knowledge Mobilization. Each of the areas are clearly defined by a goal with eight objectives that contribute to each of the three goals. Each objective has specific actions, timelines and metrics. Finally, we have identified and defined seven fundamental principles, and described how ALACD will be guided by each of the principles.
Vision
All people with disabilities in Canada can be physically active and experience well-being.
Mission
ALACD supports communities and organizations to facilitate the participation of people with disabilities in sport, physical activity, and recreation. We will have an impact by:
- facilitating connection between organizations and communities that play a role in supporting physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities.
- ensuring research and knowledge translates into action that supports physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities.
- advocating for changes to reduce barriers to physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities.
Goals
To support physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities, ALACD will strive to achieve these goals:
01
Community, organizational, and government leaders build stronger awareness of and engagement with each other through diverse, ongoing connections.
02
Community, organizational, and government leaders actively apply shared, relevant knowledge to their work and decision-making.
03
Communities, organizations, and governments adopt inclusive policies and practices that guarantee meaningful participation and choice in sport, physical activity and recreation activities for people with disabilities.
Fundamental Principles
Seven fundamental principles will serve and guide ALACD.
1) The Language and Definition of Disability
ALACD will:
- respect the language choice of those we serve.
- work with Indigenous communities to reflect the ways in which disability is understood and honoured.
- embrace the definitions of disability such that we address all disabilities and address cultural and societal norms that result in barriers to participation.
- serve English-speaking and French-speaking communities across Canada.
2) A Rights-based Approach
ALACD will:
- focus on the human rights of all people who identify with a disability and work to enhance their quality of life by addressing attitudes, social and physical environments, programs and policies that impede access to participation in sport, physical activity and recreation.
- support, as does Canada as a country, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which means that participation in sport, physical activity, and recreation is a fundamental right that contributes to quality-of-life.
3) The Individual’s Choice
ALACD will:
- advocate for all opportunities in sport, physical activity and recreation that ensure individuals can choose how they want to participate.
4) Dignity and Respect
ALACD will:
- value diverse perspectives of those with lived/living experience and ensure the stories and experiences of people with disabilities inform and influence ALACD’s work.
- respect “nothing about us without us”.
- through its actions, educate about and combat ableism (oppression, prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination against people with a disability based on actual or presumed disability) in the sport, physical activity and recreation sector.
- ensure Indigenous communities, rural and remote communities, and the Francophone population are included / engaged with intentionality.
- recognize that each person has different lived/living experiences which may or may not be based on oppression. The experience of disability is shaped by race, gender, class, income, culture, age, sexual orientation, religion, and more. No matter the mix, our culture is one of acceptance. Creating spaces where people can be every and all versions of themselves at the same time will build a diverse and stronger community.
5) Informed Decision-making
ALACD will:
- develop policies, programs, and practices informed by a combination of the evidence-based research, input from persons with disabilities, expert opinion, and community assets.
- through education, reflection and action, seek to understand the experiences of Indigenous peoples and employ Indigenous ways of knowing to work towards a future where all voices are heard and respected.
6) Versatility
ALACD will:
- be resourceful: finding creative solutions to challenges and fostering innovative practices.
- be responsive: proactively and reactively ensuring the organization is strong and resilient in rapidly changing environments and circumstances.
7) Integration and Alignment
ALACD will:
- support, encourage, and implement actions that contribute to the sport, physical activity and recreation strategies and demonstrate ways to integrate and align the actions in a way that is coordinated and meaningful to constituents in the sector in the absence of one comprehensive strategy.
- reflect on and determine the ways to contribute to the SDGs, particularly goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
- work with Indigenous communities to collectively realize the relevant Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action related to sport, physical activity and recreation, and disability.