Disability Inclusion

Swimming Australia Ltd is committed to a swimming for all philosophy. Swimming Australia endeavours to incorporate inclusion strategies in all aspects of the sport, creating opportunities for people of all abilities to participate.

Whether you choose to swim for fun and enjoyment, health and fitness, aspire to be a world champion, or choose to be involved in a non-swimming role as a coach, official or volunteer swimming provides many opportunities.

In this section of the website you will find some information specific to Swimming Australia’s commitment to including people with disability. Further important information and resources can be found in other relevant sections of this website.

Check out the Swimming for people with disabilty vidcast! It highlights all of the amazing things that getting involved in mainstream swimming has to offer.

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Inclusion Tips

Swimming Australia and Sports CONNECT

Swimming Australia is one of 25 national sporting organisations supported by an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) program called Sports CONNECT. Sports CONNECT is a national framework that works to build pathways for people with disabilities to get involved in sport, by creating and developing relationships between sports and disability organisations.

Through the work of Sports CONNECT and Swimming Australia more people with disabilities are recognising the many social and health benefits resulting from involvement in swimming. Through being involved Swimming Australia is aware of the significant benefits of involving people with disabilities either as participants, administrators, volunteers, coaches or officials and is actively working to develop these opportunities at all levels in the sport.

For more information about Sports CONNECT visit the website.

Sports CONNECT poster

National Disability Action Plan 2009-2011

Swimming Australia has developed a National Disability Action Plan (DAP) which aims to address the specific needs of people with a disability in swimming. The DAP intends to reasonably remove barriers to participation and provide equitable access to all aspects, in all levels of the sport.

This ongoing commitment will ensure the sustainability of inclusion practices in Swimming. It is hoped that with the implementation of the DAP inclusion strategies employed by Swimming Australia and its stakeholders will be delivered with a greater level of coordination and effectiveness.

The DAP will provide the focus for future growth and development of inclusion of people with a disability in swimming nationally and will be implemented for a 3 year period from 2009 to 2011. The key objectives of the Disability Action Plan are;

to ensure a culture of inclusion is adopted in all aspects of Swimming Australia activities through development of internal relationships within Swimming Australia corporate structure
to ensure people with a disability are included and catered for through the development of relationships with Swimming Australia stakeholders and external organisations
provide effective and accessible development pathways for Swimmers with a disability
provide coordinated inclusion framework development and strategic planning

What can you do?

Swimming Australia recognises the great potential for inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of the sport. Go to the Getting Involved section to learn more about the opportunities available for everyone to get involved.