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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 319 ..

MINISTER FOR SPORT AND RECREATION

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NUMBER 364

Disabled Persons - Sport and Recreation

Ms McRae asked the Minister for Sport and Recreation - In relation to the participation of people with disabilities in sporting activities -

(1) How are their needs dealt with.

(2) What policy is in place to ensure full participation in sporting and recreational activities.

(3) What organisations are funded to support people with disabilities participating in sporting and recreational activities.

(4) Who (a) monitors the participation of people with disabilities in sport and recreation and (b) works to increase their involvement.

Mr Stefaniak - the answer to the Members questions are as follows:

(1) The ACT Government is committed to providing quality services to people with a disability in the community. This is supported through grants to sporting and community organisations under the Sport and Recreation Development Grant Program.

Other support is provided by AUSSIE SPORT and coach education programs for people with disabilities; the ACT Academy of Sport new scholarship program for athletes with disabilities; and financial support to the ACT Council for the Australian Paralympic Federation (this support was equal to the amount provided to the ACT Olympic Fundraising Committee).

(2) The Liberal Government's policy is to encourage all Canberrans to maximise their leisure time through sport, recognising that some groups within the community need increased support to do so, for example, people with disabilities.

Under the conditions of grant organisations must be able to demonstrate that every effort is being made to ensure that the principles of access and equity are guiding the development of the organisation and any programs that it is conducting. Under their Triennial Assistance Agreement organisations are to identify, where appropriate, in their Development Plans measures being taken to improve access to opportunities and status within the activity to under-represented population groups. This includes people with disabilities.

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