Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD)
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A recurrent theme from my research was that physical activity was crucial to health and wellbeing for disabled people. There was consensus that physical activity also had a positive impact on mental wellbeing.
However, everyone reiterated that the barriers to physical activity needed to be addressed.
Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD) is a pivotal organisation in Canada championing inclusive active living for disabled people. Their vision is a society where every person in Canada, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to be active and healthy across their lifespan.
I had the opportunity to speak with Doug Nutting from the ALACD.
“Disabled people are told ‘no’ and ‘you can’t do that’ so often that a large part of it is helping them to change their attitude with regards to their disability. Focusing on what they can do, not what they can’t do is crucial.”
Our views and biases can inadvertently create barriers that prevent disabled people from fully participating in activities. This can lead to a cycle where the potential and capabilities of disabled individuals are underestimated, reinforcing the notion that certain activities are beyond their reach.
Doug shared numerous compelling stories that challenge these limiting perceptions and of the transformative impact of physical activity on individuals' lives. This highlights the profound significance of inclusive physical activity programs in fostering wellbeing and social inclusion.
One particularly impactful story involved a woman who had always wanted to sail. Initially, she and those around her doubted this could happen due to her disability. However, supported by the ALACD, she not only learned to sail but also excelled at it, finding a new sense of freedom and confidence, all having a huge impact on her overall wellbeing. It didn’t just allow her to sail; it transformed her perception of what was possible. When we shift our perspective and start to see disabled individuals as capable and deserving of the same opportunities as everyone else, incredible things can happen. This showed that the key is to focus on what can be done to accommodate and support participation rather than on limitations.
For disabled people who want to get involved in activities and sports, the ALACD have found a way for them to do just that. It hasn’t been a case of saying no, it has been about trying different alternatives. Taking a different path to reach the same destination.
“Having a disability does not mean you are unable to do things like play hockey, ride a bike...there needs to be an openness to trying and doing things differently.”
Doug’s stories also underscore the importance of challenging societal attitudes, prejudices and misconceptions which limit disabled people and can be disempowering. By changing how we view disability and by advocating for more inclusive practices, we can help remove these barriers.
Findings from a UK Active Lives Adult Survey conducted by Sport England concluded that disabled people are nearly twice as likely to be physically inactive compared to non-disabled people, with 43% of disabled individuals reporting inactivity, in contrast to 23% of non-disabled individuals. Importantly, the survey reveals a crucial unmet need among disabled individuals who express a desire to be more active. This highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions in the UK, truly taking into consideration the holistic wellbeing needs of disabled people.
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