disability discrimination occur in the sports industry
Discrimination in sport can occur when a person with a disability experiences unequal treatment compared to someone without a disability, leading to exclusion or harassment. This can include physical or verbal abuse, bullying and sexual harassment at the workplace or in a sports club. It can also include being refused a place on a team or access to training or equipment. Discrimination can be based on factors such as gender, race, religion or disability, and it can lead to poor performance, loss of employment and other negative consequences.
This article uses systems thinking to consider the impact of different influences on children with disabilities competing in a sporting contest. It focuses on the contest rules and structures, as well as the law that governs those, and examines how those influence the experience of competition for a child with disability.
There is limited research that addresses the experience of children with disability in competitive sports where they are allowed to compete with able-bodied or mainstream peers. The lack of research points to a need for scholarly consideration and the development of disability discrimination theory or law that can be applied to this context.
Can disability discrimination occur in the sports industry?
The majority of the literature focuses on the participation of children with disability harassment at workplace in sport, and the effect this has on their physical and mental health. However, there is a lack of research that identifies how the structure and rules of the sport can be influenced by or shape the competing experience for a child with disability. This article identifies a gap in the literature that can be addressed by using a systems thinking approach to identify the influence of the social environment on sporting structures and contest rules, and how those might be affected by law.
The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination in all aspects of their lives, including work and recreational activities. A person who has a disability can file a complaint with the EEOC or a state agency. If the alleged discrimination occurred at the workplace, an employee can also file a lawsuit against their employer. In some cases, the ADA requires that an employer make reasonable accommodations for their employees with disabilities.
Examples of a reasonable accommodation would include installing an elevator for an employee who has a wheelchair, providing a sign language interpreter during an interview or allowing an employee to take extra breaks. The ADA also protects workers who report discrimination or harassment against others for the benefit of the organization. These protections can help an athlete overcome the effects of discrimination and improve their performance at work or in their sporting endeavors. They can also help an organization develop a culture of psychological safety where it is acceptable to bring up issues of discrimination or harassment in a safe environment. This is an important tool for any organization that wants to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.
