People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are among the most marginalized groups and face multiple barriers in getting quality education due to limited inclusive frameworks, social stigma, lack of resources, and policy gaps.
This is why inclusive activities such as sports and recreational activities that bring youth with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) together, are especially critical. Inclusive activities, raise the profile and visibility of people with ID, driving understanding, awareness and inclusion in communities. One example is an inclusive hike organized by Special Olympics Pakistan.
Addressing a Need
School systems in Pakistan are typically segregated, giving youths with and without intellectual disabilities little chance to interact, play, and grow together. To bridge this gap, Special Olympics Pakistan started a new recruitment program aimed at reaching a wider pool of students across a variety of schools, that include mainstream as well as special needs schools.
As part of their recruitment, Special Olympics Pakistan contacted The City School Abbottabad Campus. The school is located in the northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province known for its mountains, valleys, hills, and farms.
After Special Olympics Pakistan spoke with the principal and explained how whole school engagement creates better learning environments to connect and promote inclusion and healthy activities among youths with and without ID, the school agreed to collaborate on an inclusive hike.
Achievements from the Inclusive Hike
Youths from The City School Abbottabad Campus participated in the planning phase, supported by the school’s management team and their teachers who identified an accessible route suitable for various abilities.
The activity started with a brief talk about Special Olympics, details of the hike and safety instructions. Youths without ID from The City School Abbottabad Campus were teamed up with 60 youths with ID from five special needs schools within the same province. Additional youths were stationed along key points along the hike to serve as safety guides and to encourage the teams.
At the end of the hike, participants enjoyed refreshments and shared their experiences while taking in the sights. The inclusive hike encouraged attendees to work collectively, build a sense of togetherness and form friendships.
Sports coach Ayesha Abbasi noted that inclusive activities like this are rare due to segregated school systems. After the hike, Ayesha observed that youths with ID gained more confidence by completing the hike.
How to Start an Inclusive Hike
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan an inclusive hike:
Step 1: Engage Stakeholders
- Inform and involve classmates, teachers, friends, family, neighbors, and other community members.
- Reach out to your local Special Olympics program or organizations working with people with ID to raise awareness about inclusion.
Step 2: Plan the Hike
- Select a location that is safe and accessible for all participants.
- Make sure the trail is suitable for varying fitness levels and abilities.
- Plan activities like warm-up exercises, team-building games, and nature exploration.
- Prepare logistics, including transportation, refreshments, first aid, photography, and a plan for wet weather.
Step 3: Promote Inclusive Leadership
- Encourage students with and without ID to take part in organizing the hike whenever possible.
- Provide opportunities to allow all students to meaningfully contribute towards planning and executing of the activity.
- This may involve mentors and parents of students with ID, making sure simple words are used during meetings and documents, factoring in extra time for students with ID to respond to questions and breaking down task to manageable, easy to understand steps.
Step 4: Promote the Activity
- Raise awareness of the hike in local schools and communities.
- Use flyers, social media posts, local newspapers, and engage in peer discussions to promote the hike and educate on the benefits of inclusive activities.
Step 5: Celebrate, Reflect and Share
- Host a celebration after the hike to recognize the efforts of all hikers and reinforce the message of inclusion.
- Gather feedback from everyone involved and reflect on the successes and areas that need improvement.
- Share stories and experiences from the hike to inspire others and promote inclusion.
Step 6: Sustain the Effort
- Plan future inclusive activity and activities to create a lasting impact and further build a culture of inclusion.