What’s meant by ‘inclusion’?
Did you know?
Glen Anton "Doc" Rivers, coach of the Philadelphia 76ers from 2020 to 2023.
Did you know that 50% of the head coaching roles in the NBA are held by a person of colour? Specifically, 50% of head coaches are Black or African American.
Inclusion is an important concept in life as well as sports— it means accepting, valuing, and incorporating individuals or groups into a community.
The development of inclusive practices seeks to provide people with increased opportunities to enjoy spaces and activities. By making spaces and activities available to everyone, we can promote inclusivity by demonstrating support, understanding, and respect!
Try it!
When you think of the word “inclusion,” what are a few words, images, or ideas that come to mind?
Record your ideas in the following mind map provided or in another method of your choice.
The following interactive is functional on desktop only.
Press the Start button to access the following interactive. This interactive will open in a new window.
Are you ready to learn about inclusion? Let’s begin!
Being inclusive
Angel Goodrich
We all bought into the same goal, right from the head coach down to the last player on the bench, and I believe it helped us.
Angel Goodrich, #3 of the Seattle Storm crouches to throw the basketball. Alysha Clark, #32 of the Seattle Storm, and Jewell Loyd, #24 of the Seattle Storm, look on. August 14, 2015.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Education, being an inclusive global citizen means “making responsible decisions and taking actions that support quality of life for all, now and in the future.”
Source:
Ministry of Education. (2020). Transferable skills. Government of Ontario. https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/transferable-skills
Think
How can we apply inclusive thinking to activities like basketball? How can planners and developers incorporate inclusive, equitable designs into public spaces?
Inclusive spaces
NBA Moment
In the WNBA, the Las Vegas Aces finished with a regular season record of 34 wins in 2023, the most wins by a WNBA team in a single season!
Last updated: November 8, 2023
An inclusive space is one where there are minimal barriers to access.
Physical spaces, like shops, libraries, playgrounds, and recreational facilities are growing in their design accessibility.
Ideally, an inclusive space is one that helps people move and work, and includes as many people as possible.
Think
What are some inclusive practices you’ve encountered?
In Ontario, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) enforces accessibility standards. The AODA standards focus on five areas: customer service, employment, information and communications, transportation, and the built environment (buildings and outdoor spaces).
The goal of AODA is to follow the ideals of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunities.
Discover more
Use your preferred internet search engine to conduct some research!
Are there any laws where you live that enforce accessibility standards?
It’s important to stay safe while you are using the Internet for research. If a website asks you for any personal information, close it and try a different website.
Some barriers to public spaces can be physical, such as a lack of accessibility ramps. Other barriers can be financial, like if a space is expensive to enter.
Explore this!
In the following video, aspiring architect and wheelchair racer Gabby Wright discusses some of the frustrations she’s experienced as someone who uses a wheelchair.
Did any of her observations surprise you?
How do you think spaces could be designed to be more inclusive?
Take a moment and reflect on your learning!
Inclusivity in action
Think
As a way to promote outdoor activities, cities may have publicly funded basketball courts in parks, schools, and community centres.
Consider the following 3D model of a public basketball court.
Press the Start button to access the following interactive. This interactive will open in a new window.
After exploring the basketball court, recall the previous video, and reflect on the following questions:
- How do you think this space might promote inclusion in basketball and sports in general?
- In what ways could this space be made more inclusive and accessible?
Record your thoughts and ideas in a method of your choice.
Excellent work! You’ve learned a lot about inclusive practice and why it’s important in life as well as in sports. You deserve a break!