Disability Policy Statement

Rushden Swimming Club recognises the need to promote disability equality.

"Coach the Ability Not the Disability"

Aims

  • To identify and remove any barriers which may exist for people with a disability
  • To ensure that everyone can access as fully as possible all the opportunities provided by Rushden Swimming Club.
  • To promote awareness within the club on disability issues.
  • To provide training opportunities for swimmers with a disability.
  • To increase knowledge of disability swimming.

We are aware of and recognise the ASA classification guide for disabled swimmers.

As a result of the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) all providers (including sport) have to take "Reasonable steps to remove, alter or provide reasonable means of avoiding physical features that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service, or will need to offer the service by alternative means’ The DDA makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people. The Act uses a wide definition of a disabled person as having; 'a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day duties.' Discrimination against disabled staff, swimmers or volunteers can be of two ways:

  • Treating them less favourably than others.
  • Failing to make a reasonable adjustment when they are placed at a "substantial disadvantage compared with other people for a reason relating to their disability."

A reasonable adjustment would be any action that helps to alleviate a substantial disadvantage. At Rushden Swimming Club this may include:

  • Providing additional support.
  • Adapting training sessions.
  • Seeking to support disabled swimmers e.g. make link with other clubs.
  • Work within the context of the Long Term Athlete Development programme.
  • Altering the physical environment and working with facility providers and pool operators to do so.

By adopting the policy Rushden Swimming Club recognises its responsibility to ensure that disabled staff, coaches, swimmers, and volunteers are treated equally and fairly.

January 2009