INTRODUCTION

This policy represents a commitment to including as many participants as possible with specific needs and disabilities in all roles in the period leading up to and during the 1st  World Outgames Montréal 2006

SPECIFIC NEEDS & DISABILITIES DEFINED

Participants may have one or more of the following conditions:

. Intellectual disability
. Hearing and/or vision impairment
. HIV/AIDS
. Medical condition
. Mental illness
. Neurological disorder/brain injury
. Physical disability

People with specific needs may require special assistance and/or support to able to fully participate. It should be noted that some individuals who fall into the specific needs and/or disability categories listed above may not need any particular assistance and/or support. Participants may choose whether or not to disclose their specific need or disability.

PURPOSE OF THE POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to serve as a guide for Montréal 2006 to ensure that people with specific needs and disabilities are included in all areas of the preparation and staging of sporting and cultural events. Participants with disabilities will be included wherever possible in most sports and cultural activities. Sports with separate disability categories include Rowing, Basketball, Dancesport, Powerlifting and Tennis.

Montréal 2006 recognises that the emphasis is on ability not disability. This attitude will not only have a positive impact on the Outgames but also leave a legacy of understanding and awareness for people with specific needs and disabilities in Montréal, Québec and Canada, well after the games are over.

Due to the complex and varied requirements of people with specific needs and disabilities, experts from appropriate representative organisations will be consulted on all areas of implementation of this policy. This policy also puts in place strategies to build awareness and understanding within the community. These include consultations with:

• specific needs and disability organisations, including sporting and cultural bodie
• gay, lesbian, transgender and queer sporting, cultural, specific needs and disabilities organisations as well as able-bodied groups

To raise awareness about individuals with specific needs and disabilities during the preparation and staging of Montréal 2006 sporting and cultural events

The main focus will be to encourage people to think and act inclusively. Education and training play an important part in these consciousness-raising activities.

Sports Objectives

• Ensure safe and fair events for all participants including those with specific needs and disabilities;
• Ensure that all venues are wheelchair accessible and that accommodations, toilet facilities and changing rooms are appropriately appointed;
• Present specific sports programs for disabled persons: Rowing, Tennis, Basketball, Powerlifting and Dancesport;
• Ensure that Montréal 2006 participant information kits include clear and easy to understand information about key contacts (including emergency contacts) that comply with the needs of all participants with specific needs and disabilities;
• Analyse specific need requests made by participants;
• Run workshops and information sessions on specific needs and disability issues for Montréal 2006 staff, volunteers and partners;
• Where possible, include people with specific needs and disabilities on planning committees regarding issues such as access to accommodation, transportation, communication, medical and social needs and communicate those needs to Montréal 2006 organisers and participants;
• Ensure appropriate assessment procedures, such as classification systems, are in place so that the extent to which an individual is able to be involved can be determined. Issues of safety and fairness for participants must be considered;
• Research health care needs of participants with disabilities and seek appropriate medical advice for those requiring specialist assistance;
• Provide information on prevention and treatments of HIV/AIDS and make specific arrangements for those who have lost/misplaced medications;
• Assess support services required for each category of specific need and disability;
• Obtain the expertise required to properly run the sport program and handle requests from participants;
• Communicate classification systems to sport organisers of sports that have been identified as accessible to all potential participants and encourage their commitment to the inclusion of these systems in their preparations and staging of the events
• Ensure the development of volunteer networks and make sure appropriate training is provided.

Cultural Objectives

• Ensure that all venues are wheelchair accessible and that accommodation, toilet facilities and changing rooms are appropriately appointed;
• Analyse specific needs requests made by participants;
• Work closely with specialise organisations;
• Run workshops and information sessions on specific needs and disability issues for Montréal 2006 staff, volunteers and sponsors;
• Where possible, include people with specific needs and disabilities on planning committees regarding issues such as access to accommodation, transportation, communication, medical and social needs and communicate those needs to Montréal 2006 organisers and participants;
• Research health care needs of participants with disabilities and seek appropriate medical advice for those requiring specialist assistance;
• Provide information on prevention and treatments of HIV/AIDS and make specific arrangements for those who have lost/misplaced medications;
• Assess support services required for each category of specific need and disability;
• Ensure that Montréal 2006 and easy to understand information about key contacts (incl. emergencies) that comply with the needs of all participants with specific needs and disabilities;
• Ensure the development of volunteer networks and make sure appropriate training is provided.