Acknowledgements and Notes
This project was led by the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability.
Physical Activity and Recreation Committee (PARC)
Thank you to our contributing partners on this project:
Provincial and territorial affiliates
Translation Partner:
Résonance Stratégies
The steering committee for this project included:
Alyssa Grimes
Queen’s University
Amy E. Latimer-Cheung, PhD
Professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University
Janet Lawson, PhD
University of Manitoba
Mike Arthur
Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD)
Sarah Ane
Parks and Recreation Ontario
Taryn Barry
Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD)
Zainab Naqvi
Queen’s University
Acknowledgement of Indigenous Peoples
We fully acknowledge the unique and enduring relations that exist between Indigenous Peoples and the lands on which municipalities across Canada are located. We encourage all users of this guide to learn about the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples who have traditionally inhabited these lands.
While this guide aims to help recreational leaders in creating inclusive physical activities and recreational practices, it may not fully address the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. We therefore urge users to invest in building relations with local Indigenous communities to advance reconciliation.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
In 2010, Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2008) in 2010, pledging to ensure equality and non-discrimination of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life, including education and leisure activities.
This guide supports Article 30, which says that people with disabilities have the right to participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure, and sports on an equal footing with others.
Note on Intersectionality
Intersectionality explains “how systems of inequality based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class and other forms of discrimination ‘intersect’ to create unique dynamics and effects” (Centre for Intersectional Justice, N.D.). Intersectionality recognizes that complex systems of oppression should be understood in the context of history and the present-day relationship between identities and societal norms or systems. These systems cannot be considered in isolation (University of Guelph, N.D.). This guide was designed with the concept of intersectionality in mind, considering individuals with disabilities who may have overlapping identities and be part of several marginalized communities.
Text Accessibility
This Guide is written in plain language. If it does not meet your accessibility needs, please reach out to us at info@ala.ca and we will arrange suitable accommodations for you.