The organization uses a unique approach of Reverse Inclusion were children and youth with disabilities are empowered to take full responsibilities to initiate and conduct inclusive activities such as sports, adaptive games, plays and creative arts where they involve non-disabled peers in their daily activities .
The concept helps them to gain confidence, self-esteem, and social inclusion through the power of adaptive games and sports hence developing their physical and mental health, and social well being to enable them live to their full potential within their schools and communities which is free from societal stigma and discrimination
Reversed inclusion, a foundation for social development
Ability Sports Africa fosters reverse inclusion, where the non-disabled are attracted by the art of challenging physical movement. The fact that we need our different senses and other abilities will soon be not viewed as a limiting factor anymore. Mastering sports with limitations will, in the end, be a driving force for creating an inclusive society.
Vision,
An inclusive community where children and youth with different abilities are fully included in physical literacy, adaptive sports, games and creative arts.
Mission,
To empower individuals of all abilities by building their self-confidence, self-esteem, efficacy and life time skills through sports, creative arts, and physical literacy programs both in schools and communities.
How will we approach this goal? We will work on the following areas:
- Girls with disabilities
One of our major objectives will be advocacy for adaptive sports and we will especially raise awareness for equal participation of girls with disabilities. These girls will be empowered in the areas of physical literacy and community activities.
Girls who have achieved in sports will become our change advocates. Participation in sports is an opportunity to demonstrate physical ability, and it is helping to reduce gender stereotypes. In the end, it will enhance leadership and communication skills, as well as building physical, emotional and mental strength through other physical activities.
- Training of trainers
We will train coaches, teachers and peer mentors in understanding disabilities, inclusion, adaptive sports and specialized games. These trainers will assist regular schools in including students with disabilities who usually sit on the benches when everyone else has fun on the pitch. - Inclusive Sports festivals
Through quarterly sports festivals, children with disabilities become motivated and actively aim for an event. These festivals serve as a platform to bring the community together to participate and cheer for each other to play games in mixed teams, thus engaging everyone. This greatly contributes to them regaining their self-confidence and self-esteem, hence regaining their dignity as well.
- Partnerships
Ability Sports Africa will engage in partnerships with international NGOs and stakeholders likes schools in and around Gulu, Northern Uganda, Uganda, and Africa We will seek collaborations with the corporate sector for sponsorship, with the government for the purpose of developing better policies, and with sports clubs for practical inclusive sports activities.
- Competitive sports
We will develop adaptive sports leagues to engage in national and international competitions, like the World Championships and the Paralympics. - Adventure sports
These sports activities will strengthen teamwork both among people with and without disabilities. Boating up the Nile or swimming across a river will foster confidence and solidarity. Additionally, we will venture into more acrobatic activities like trampoline, skateboarding for the blind, climbing, tightrope walking, etc.
- Sports innovation
Ability Sports Africa will contribute to the world by adapting already existing sports activities for the non-disabled in such a way that they become blind-, deaf- or wheelchair-friendly. Hockey for the blind, climbing for the wheelchair user, etc., is an example of this.
- Equipment
Equipment such as racing wheelchairs, ramps, railings around running tracks, balls, rackets, sports wheelchairs, goal balls, showdown boards, tennis boards etc, are facilities that are needed in all these activities. Our organization will become a resource center of knowledge and advice for schools clubs, governmental departments etc.
- Campaigning
Through documentaries and posters, we will conduct mass media campaigns with the motto “My ability is what defines me”. The key messages will target parents/caregivers, youth/children with disabilities and community leaders to promote participation in and the benefits of sport, regardless of disability.
Creative Arts (Music Dance and Drama)
ASA believes that not all children with disabilities are good in sports but others might as well be good in creative arts, we at ASA want to bring out the hidden abilities of children with and without disabilities.
Recreation center/ Sports ground
Our long-term objective will be the establishment of a recreational center with accessible facilities for both children and youth with disabilities to play, interact, socialize with their peers without disabilities.
Through reversed inclusion, we want to see a real inclusive society where people with disabilities take up initiatives and responsibilities for the development of their communities. We wish to see a Uganda and Africa, where disability does not matter anymore.