Scope and Hockey Victoria have been awarded $97,480 to develop an inclusive hockey program suitable for people with multiple and complex disabilities.
The Access for All Abilities grant, from Sports and Recreation Victoria, was announced on 5 April 2022 by The Hon. Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport.
Renee Paarman, a Community Educator at Scope with her own lived experience of disability, said community participation in sport could be life-changing for people with disabilities who are all too often sidelined.
“In my life, sport played together has had a positive impact long after the whistle has blown,” Renee said.
“By playing sport with my friends and peers, it has grown a greater understanding of what true inclusion looks like.”
This pilot program will remedy concerning survey data collected from people with disability in 2020 which identified more than half of respondents (53 per cent) did not participate in any organised sport, despite wanting to.
The biggest detractor from inclusion and participation was found to be the lack of accessible sports and activities available for people with disabilities.
Scope and Hockey Victoria have adopted a collaborative approach to the design of the program, bringing together people with lived experience of disability to ensure it is truly inclusive and accessible to all.
The pilot program will be delivered in collaboration with Footscray Hockey Club and Altona Hockey Club, with an aim for state-wide expansion if successful.
This follows the success of Scope’s Balloon Football League, an adapted version of ‘Aussie rules’ football which has been modified to suit the needs of people with disability.
Scope’s Balloon Football was created more than 20 years ago by three footy-mad, Scope-supported gentlemen for people with a range of intellectual and physical disabilities. Participation continues to be strong today.
Scope acknowledges the support of Access for All Abilities, an initiative of the Victorian Government.
About Scope
At Scope, we see the person. Our mission is to enable each person to live as an empowered and equal citizen.
We are one of Australia’s leading providers of support services for adults and children with disabilities, autism or developmental delays. We work with corporate and community organisations to create a more inclusive society for people with a disability.
For media enquires please contact:
Personalised support in this context refers to a holistic approach that considers not only the specific disabilities of individuals but also their preferences, strengths, and aspirations. By embracing this approach, disability support services aim to empower individuals, foster independence, and promote inclusion within society.
The biggest positive in Scope’s Positive Behaviour Support work is that the team members recognise that their actions serve a purpose.
This year Scope’s Kaleidoscope Exhibition was held at our Kangaroo Flat Hub in Bendigo and the Hawthorn Arts Centre.
