Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) releases Australia First Easy English Version of National Integrity Framework Policies.
ASAPD has worked with specialists to translate the National Integrity Framework (NIF) Policies into an Easy English format. They can be found here. Importantly, this is the first step in setting the minimum standard – ASAPD is keen for sports to engage in continuous improvement – and even use the natural competitiveness of people involved in sport to push each other to greater levels of inclusion.
ASAPD recognises that policies need to be understandable for the entire community, not just people who have legal or specialist training. The Easy English policies will help people with intellectual or cognitive impairments (and their support workers) understand the policies, but also can be useful for people who speak English as a second/additional language, or have low literacy levels. ABS has rated some literacy issues in Australia as below 50% of adults struggling with literacy.
At the successful ASAPD Forum held in Sydney, Professor Rosemary Kayess noted that sporting organisations can be transformative for showing society how to make accessibility and inclusion a key priority, as well as meet legal obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with a Disability (UN CRPD) as well as the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)(DDA).
ASAPD’s translation of the NIF policy sets the challenge for sporting organisations and government agencies to make sure all policies drafted include an Easy English version from the outset. This will ensure that the policies are accessible and understandable to a wider portion of the community, thereby enabling them to understand their rights and responsibilities in keeping sport safe for everyone.
