Swimming Australia has released a guide to support swimming clubs, coaches and learn to swim teachers with supporting people with disability in swimming. The Swimming Australia Multi-Class & Para Ready Swimming Community Guide is underpinned by human rights, universal design and the Play by the Rules 7 Pillars of Inclusion, continuing an ongoing relationship between Swimming Australia and Play by the Rules.
The Multi-Class & Para Ready Swimming Community Guide helps the swimming community provide a shared commitment to inclusion and belonging for people with disability. Looking ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic & Olympic Games, there has never been a more important time to ensure swimming is inclusive for everyone.
Swimming is one of the most popular sport related activities in Australia for people with disability. However, many of the 21.4% of the population with a disability still face barries to participation. With 87% of Australians living within 50km of the coast, swimming fosters connection, belonging, and wellbeing, while also building skills that support participation, volunteering, and employment.
The 7 Pillars of Inclusion model gives clubs and sports a broad view of inclusion, looking at the common elements that contribute to creating inclusive environments that reflect the communities that we live in.
The 7 Pillars, Access, Attitude, Choice, Partnerships, Communication, Policy, and Opportunities provide a practical starting point for creating inclusive environments. They help clubs identify barriers, guide action, and build equity, dignity, and respect into everyday practice.
This provides a practical framework for swimming clubs and organisations, as seen in the following examples from the guide:
| Access | Built environment accessibility; pool hoist, ramp, lighting, clear signage |
| Attitude | Use clear, inclusive language and communication |
| Choice | Provide flexibility for participants that wish to compete vs focused on fitness and social connection |
| Partnerships | Adopt integrated performance support in your coaching teams by connecting with allied health services like physios and occupational therapists |
| Communications | Ask questions in multiple ways and be patient with people who are non-verbal or have an intellectual disability |
| Policy | Use inclusion focused templates, such as those from Play by the Rules to get started |
| Opportunities | Partner with disability services who can support people with disability in the water |
Swimming Australia’s Para Swimming Development Manager, Jeremy O’Sullivan said:
“The Seven Pillars of Inclusion provide a practical framework to help clubs and coaches build environments where every swimmer can belong, participate and thrive. By embedding inclusion into everyday practice through the framework, the Multi-Class and Para Ready Swimming Community Guide supports the development of more confident coaches, stronger inclusive clubs, and greater opportunities for people with disability to participate, compete and succeed in swimming! ”
To find out more about how Play by the Rules can support your club or sport to embed the 7 Pillars of Inclusion, contact us today at playbytherules@sportintegrity.gov.au.
