The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (UK) defines a disabled person as anyone with ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect upon his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’.

Disability covers a wide spectrum of impairments, including:

• Physical impairments (difficulties in moving parts of the body)
• Sensory impairments (hearing or sight)
• Communication difficulties (speech impairments)
• Learning difficulties (e.g. Autism; Down’s syndrome)
• Mental health issues (e.g. depression; schizophrenia).
• (Although a wheelchair is often used to symbolise disability, only 5% of the disabled population are permanent wheelchair users.)

Some basic facts:

• Disability affects 15 – 20% of every countries population.
• At least 650 million people with disabilities worldwide.

Thankfully in modern society there are many opportunities that exist for individuals to participate within disability specific environments, however there are still many that are able to, and indeed do, participate within mainstream football. Therefore it is not just coaches dealing with teams of disabled players that must be aware of the needs of these players. However there are many inexperienced coaches, and even a few experienced coaches, that develop concerns when they have to a player who is disabled or has a Medical Condition that they are unfamiliar with. It is for this reason that CoachesColleague feel that further information is provided on this topic, so that the ‘uneducated’ can become ‘educated’ so that every coach is aware of and fully appreciate, accept and adhere to the guidelines and rules that are put in place to ensure the involved and enjoyment of all disabled players.

It is an all too often found belief that all players with the same disabling condition are the same and can be grouped in such a way. This is highly inaccurate. Every player should be considered as an individual, and this should be integrated into the clubs overall philosophy. Once each player is seen as an individual it is then possible to focus on their specific individual abilities which they use to overcome their problems. As the coping strategies employed from individual to individual may vary, and revolve around their own specific condition.

Another common approach employed by too many coaches and clubs is that it is inappropriate to acknowledge or address the individual’s disability, so instead they decide to ignore the situation. This is an approach that cannot only jeopardise the individual’s involvement and enjoyment but can also place their health at risk. Instead the appropriate people in authority should approach the player, or even their parents / carers, with their questions so that sessions, equipment and facilities can be altered, if required, to accommodate their needs accordingly. As the individual wishes to be involved and participate within football they will be only too willing to share this information. In terms of the disability some questions that can be asked include:

• What is the Disability?
• What are the symptoms that would be encountered?
• Is there a requirement to segregate?
• Is the disability a danger to other players?
• How to communicate successfully?
• What are the Health and Safety concerns for the coach, staff, players and opponents?

On a broader scale the coach may also wish to uncover:

• What terms of description can be used?
• What strategies can be employed to alter the attitudes of some of my players / parents?

The answers to all of these questions will allow the appropriate adaptations to coaching approach, sessions and facilities to be planned and implemented accordingly to meet the needs of your players with disabilities / medical Conditions.

It is the duty of the coach to educate themselves on the disabilities, medical conditions and common illnesses that they may encounter. So scan through this section to procure the appropriate information, before consulting further medical advice for a greater depth of detail.