Taking Control of One's Own Life

An introduction to the Danish Disability Sport

Information Centre

Being in control of one's own life is important for any human being who strives for a good life.

However, the preconditions are not always optimal for persons with disabilities, who may be disadvantaged because of inaccessible environments, low income, lack of leisure activities, and de facto discrimination.

Thus, the road to a good life is longer and steeper for some people than for others.

We believe that philosophies and practices developed over the last decades within the sports movement for disabled can help persons with disabilities assume control over their lives.

The aim of the Danish Disability Sport Information Centre is to collect, process, and disseminate knowledge about disability sport in order to further the inclusion of people with disabilities in all spheres of community life.

Main target groups are professionals working with education, rehabilitation, personal development, leisure, vocational training, and employment of people with disabilities. Secondary target groups are individuals with disabilities and their families, policy makers, and the general public.

To forget oneself

People with disabilities are constantly reminded of the fact that their body does not function exactly the way they would like it to. This is underlined by society's reluctance to include people who are different from the norm.

In adapted sport, a person with a disability is able to forget himself or herself: Forget the body's limitations and focus on its strengths. When the environment or the activity is adapted, the body will transform itself from an obstacle into an efficient tool for play, competition, or sports. Thus, a person's body as well as self confidence will gain strength.

The Information Centre's 2 sport consultants are specialized in procuring knowledge about adapted sports and movement, in practice as well as in theory. Anne-Merete Kissow and Tine Soulié are involved in an abundance of projects and conferences. They teach, advise, and cooperate with therapists, teachers, and other professionals, in order to help develop movement activities for people with reduced functioning - in rehabilitation, in school, and in leisure.

To be someone

Having a job does not only imply that you receive a regular paycheque. A job can be an important part of your identity, and make you a citizen who contributes financially to society. A person who is involuntarily excluded from the labour market may have difficulties finding a proper identity and obtaining other people's acceptance and respect. To many people having a job means: To be someone.

We believe that all human being are good at something and have the right to unfold their talents and live an active life, with a job if they so wish.

The Information Centre's 2 job consultants assist persons with reduced functioning finding their way into the labour market. The starting point for Inge Sørensen's and Torben Pehrson's work is the individual's desire to work. If the desire to work is strong, it is almost always possible to find a job.

No matter how experienced we are, we will never be able to predict how far another person can go. But we can help prepare a good soil for that person to grow in.

Based on their own experience, and a strong personal network, the Centre's job consultants offer advice and guidance to professionals working in the public and the private sector, as well as user organisations, parential groups, politicians, and the general public. On occasion, they organise conferences and seminars on inclusion and good practise in supported employment.

Sharing knowledge

Knowledge is one thing that grows in size when shared. At the Information Centre we enjoy sharing knowledge with others.

Our library is open to the general public and free of charge. It has a large collection of books, articles, documentary films, reports, and other information material about disability sport, adapted physical activity, and supported employment. Our librarians Nina Holst and Helle E. Cordua are ready to help you find the information you are looking for - in our own collection as well as in external databases, homepages etc.

In addition, the Information Centre  runs a small publishing business. Over the last 10 years we have published a dozen books and numerous booklets, newsletters, reports etc. in Danish. (Follow this link if you wish to see some recent titles). If you have questions, comments, or proposals in this area, please contact the Information Centre's journalist, Bo Therkildsen.

The Information Centre's services are, in general, directed towards the Danish public. However, we we also give international exchange of knowledge a high priority, and we cooperate with a number of knowledge centres, governmental, and non-governmental organisations in other countries. Feel free to contact the Information Centre's director Kristian Jensen for further information.