Adaptive Equipment: Specialized equipment modified to meet a participant's needs in sport or recreation.
Assistive Device: Equipment or technology that helps a person participate more independently, such as a wheelchair, communication device, or hearing aid.
Caregiver: A family member or other person who provides ongoing support to someone with a disability.
Disability (Medical Model): A physical, intellectual, developmental, sensory, mental health, or learning condition that may affect how a person moves, communicates, learns, or participates in daily life.
Disability (Social Model): The idea that disability is created by barriers in society, such as inaccessible environments, negative attitudes, and exclusion, rather than by a person's impairment or condition. The focus is on removing barriers and creating inclusion for everyone.
Identity-first language: Language that puts the disability first because it is an important part of a person's identity (for example, "an autistic person" or "a disabled person").
Inclusive Language: Words and phrases that are respectful and welcoming, and do not exclude or stereotype people.
Inclusion: Making sure everyone feels welcomed, valued, and has equal opportunities to participate.
Invisible Disability or Non-Evident disability: A disability that may not be obvious to others, such as learning disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic pain, or autism.
Neurodiversity: The idea that people think, learn, and process information in different ways and that these differences are a natural part of human diversity.
Person-first language: Language that puts the person before the disability (for example, "a person with a disability").
Support Person: Someone who assists a participant in communication, mobility, personal care, or participation.
Visible Disability or Evident disability: A disability that can be easily seen by others.
Accessible Recreation: Recreation that removes physical, communication, sensory, and financial barriers so everyone can take part.
Adaptive Sport: Any sport that has been modified through equipment, rules, instruction, or environments so people of all abilities can participate.
Classification (Parasport): A system used in competitive parasport to group athletes based on how their disability affects sport performance.
Competitive Participation: Participating in sport with structured training and competition.
Grassroots Sport: Community-based sport that focuses on participation, learning, and enjoyment.
Inclusive Recreation: Programs and activities that are planned so people of all abilities can participate and feel welcomed.
Inclusive Sport: Sport that welcomes people of all abilities and removes barriers so everyone can participate together whenever possible.
Leisure: Free time that people use to relax, enjoy hobbies, learn new skills, or participate in activities they enjoy.
Long-Term Participant Development (LTPD): A framework that supports individuals in participating in sport and physical activity at all stages of life and ability.
Para: The prefix "para" means "alongside" or "parallel to." In sport, it refers to sports and athletes with disabilities competing alongside the Olympic movement, with equivalent levels of excellence and competition. Para does not mean "less than" or "separate from." It means competing and participating alongside the Olympic movement with equal value and recognition.
Para athlete: An athlete with a disability who participates in a sport that is part of the Paralympic movement.
Parasport: A sport designed for or adapted for athletes with disabilities, ranging from recreational participation to elite competition.
Physical Literacy: The confidence, motivation, and skills needed to enjoy being active for life.
Recreation: Activities people do for fun, enjoyment, health, or social connection during their free time.
Recreational Participation: Participating in activities for fun, health, and social connection rather than competition.
Sport Pathway: The opportunities available for someone to progress from trying a sport to recreational, competitive, or high-performance participation.
Accessibility: Proactively designing spaces, programs, and services so people of all abilities can use and enjoy them.
Accommodation: A change or support that helps a person participate fully, such as adapted equipment, extra time, or communication and is usually provided after a person shares their needs.
Attitudinal Barrier: Negative assumptions, stereotypes, or a lack of understanding about people with disabilities that can limit their participation
Barrier: Anything that prevents someone; especially people with disabilities from participating fully, such as physical obstacles, attitudes, policies, or communication challenges.
Belonging: Feeling accepted, respected, and included as an important part of a group or community.
Equity: Providing people with the supports they need to have fair opportunities to participate.
Principles of Disability Justice: The belief that all people with disabilities deserve equity, respect, and full participation, and that communities should remove barriers and support one another. Disability Justice emphasizes intersectionality, leadership of those most impacted, collective access, interdependence, and the right of all people to participate fully in society.
Universal Design: Creating programs, spaces, and services that work for as many people as possible without needing special adaptations.
Co-Design: Creating programs and services together with people with lived experience of disability.
Community Partnership: Organizations working together to improve access and opportunities for participants.
Navigation Services: Helping individuals and families find programs, supports, and services that meet their needs.
Nothing About Us Without Us: The principle that people with disabilities should be involved in decisions that affect them.
Participant-Centred Approach: Making decisions based on the goals, interests, and needs of the individual participant.
Sport Hub: An organization that connects people to programs, resources, and opportunities rather than delivering all programs directly.