Ready & Able Communities
This project's parent organization is Trinidad & Tobago Alliance for Sport
It operates in Trinidad and Tobago
It uses Multiple sports
Entered the Best New Project
More about Ready & Able Communities
The Ready & Able program brings persons with disabilities together using sport to create a setting for relationship building, personal growth and empowerment. The program started in 2003 as one of the Trinidad & Tobago Alliance for Sport & Physical Education’s first programs. It was based on Australia’s Ready, Willing & Able program whose mission is to promote inclusion through sport. In 2008, TTASPE partnered with the Trinidad & Tobago Paralympic Committee and recently re-launched the R & A program in September 2009.
The R & A program provides the opportunity for adults and youth with disabilities to come together one evening a week to participate in physical activities and sports. In Trinidad & Tobago it is common for persons with disabilities to be “shut-ins” (confined to their home by their family or due to transportation problems). Persons with disabilities still face a lot of stigma and lack the opportunities for full participation in society. Often R & A sessions are the only time during the week where participants get to leave their homes for social interaction.
In the program, sport has been a tool for personal growth and empowerment for the participants and coaches. In addition, the program has also been a forum to raise issues about transportation, accessibility, education and general disability awareness. The participants and both supporting organizations are using this momentum to advocate for these issues at a community and at a national level.