Background resources

Inclusive sports equipment usually involves three people: a Player or Athlete, an inclusive sports coach, and a carer. Each person has different needs and priorities when considering a new piece of sports equipment product. Issues include:

Issues

For the player/athlete

  • Performance of the product in the game/sport.
  • Is it easy to learn/use in a performance routine.
  • Will a routine need to be modified.
  • Does it look ‘cool’.

For the inclusive sports coach 

  • Is it legal within the rules of the game/sport.
  • Can it be used long-term to improve performance.
  • Is it easy to set up and break down during competition.
  • Is it compact.
  • Easy to carry and store.
  • Is it durable.
  • Low cost.

For the carer

  • Will it cause long-term damage from extended use.
  • Is it portable and compact (fit in a car boot).
  • Is it lightweight.
  • Is it durable.
  • Low cost.

References

Equal play. This beautiful and compelling documentary uncovers the transformative power of sport for disabled people, through the experiences of two British children who are striving to be included: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/equal-play

Inclusive sustainable low-cost entry-level Sports Products development - The video presents three new inclusive sports products: A low-cost sustainable Boccia ramp, Low-cost sustainable Golf game, and a floor standing basketball frame that can be made in a garden shed.

The importance of sport for children with disabilities – and the lengths their parents go to access it -  https://theconversation.com/the-importance-of-sport-for-children-with-disabilities-and-the-lengths-their-parents-go-to-access-it-201825

Theinclusionclub - Sharing models of good inclusive practice in sport and recreation for people with disability.

The Inclusion Spectrum - An Activity-Centred Approach to Inclusion

Torrens, G. and Fray, M., 2020. Making a difference: Using a participatory design process to give a voice to people with disabilities.

Torrens, G.E., Jiang, Y. and Dong, H., 2020. 5. Incorporating “Care” into Design Education Through Games. Ergonomia&Design, p.54.

Torrens, G. and Black, K., 2017. Equipment design in inclusive physical activity and disability sport. In Design for Sport (pp. 187-228). Routledge.

Torrens, G. and Black, K., 2017. Case study 6.1: Participatory Design: Describing an undergraduate interactive inclusive design project. Design for Sport, p.225.

Sansoni, S., Torrens, G.E., Yang, F., Suroya, S.H.B. and Wang, Y., 2023. Medical device or fashion accessory? A case study of a redesigned child's prosthetic upper limb applying principles of perception and semantics to reframe social acceptance. Proceedings of the Design Society, 3, pp.2615-2624.

Usability_Net - This free resource is to provide new product and service developers and industrial designers with the methods and heuristics to more effectively design and develop assistive technology (AT) products or services.

Working together. The changes suggested by ParalympicsGB's Equal Play campaign would be a good start.: https://theconversation.com/too-many-disabled-young-people-are-missing-out-on-pe-heres-how-that-could-change-238389

REMAPGB solutions - A useful site to get ideas on how to produce one-off adaptions.