Access Recreation:

Values Statement

Values Statement

This Values Statement is intended to:

Access Recreation acknowledges that the human condition is such that societies and cultures all around the world highly value those people who fit within their models of perfection, whilst those who do not are often much devalued.  In many societies, including our own, people with disability are socially marginalized and devalued.  This often leads to rejection by society and being treated in ways that diminish the person's dignity, growth, competence and general well being.

Access Recreation abhors the devaluation, neglect, abuse and denial of basic human rights and needs that is the experience of many people who are born with or who acquire disabilities.

We believe that devalued and marginalized people in all cultures and societies can be supported to live a good life through the development of skills and strategies which will improve their image and competencies.  This in turn will open up opportunities to attain valued social roles which are fundamental to living a good life in any culture.

We believe that development throughout the lifespan is a continuous and dynamic process.  An individual's potential is difficult to assess, but through the provision of normative (positive and dignified) life conditions and experiences, every one of us has tremendous potential to learn and grow.  Human development is optimized when a person has a significant and positive relationship with one's origins, a sense of belonging and continuity about one's life, stability of primary relationships and active participation in the wider culture.  The rhythm of growth depends on individual characteristics and their life circumstances, but potential is best exploited when interventions are focused on a person's strengths and talents.

We believe that all people have the right to freedom, justice and equality and to engage in and contribute to and benefit from the richness of their society, culture and economy.

We believe that all people must have access to decent standards of health, housing, education, safety, social support and well being.

We believe that all human beings are of equal importance, that each is unique and of intrinsic value, and that each should therefore be afforded dignity, respect and protection.  Everyone should be seen and valued as a whole person, first and foremost.

We believe that human beings are fundamentally social beings.  We all need love and relationships, and to be part of a community.  Each of us has the capacity to contribute to the well being, or harm, of others.  Some people intentionally do harmful, dangerous or life threatening things to others; sometimes unintentional harm is done by well-meaning people, while others contribute positively to people's lives.  Human wellbeing is dependent on belonging to a socially just community.

We believe that interaction between people with and without disability is a social exchange.  The experience of people with disability is that they are often seen as recipients of charity rather than social contributors.  People without a disability gain from the interaction through having an opportunity to engage with other peoples' experiences of disability and, as a result, become more aware of their own humanity and that disability is a normal part of the human condition.  Lives can be greatly enriched through this exchange.

We believe in full citizenship for all members of society.  We aim toward a society where all people have full and equal access to society's resources, opportunities and status, and the means to participate in the life of the community.  Whilst everyone needs support on many levels, in many ways, to attain their rightful place in society, we focus our work on issues affecting the ability of people with disabilities to achieve valued social roles via meaningful participation in recreation and community based activities, with their non-disabled peers.

We believe in and are firmly committed to self determination for people with disability.  Everyone should be able to express their view or preferences, and their right to make a decision should be respected.  Because many issues in life require wisdom and sound judgement, we believe everyone is entitled to opportunities to explore the possible consequences of their choices for themselves and others.  Whilst dependent on one another, everyone is entitled to their own individual identity.  We believe it is unjust to deny people opportunities to meet their full potential.

We believe that people with impaired mental capacity should be assisted with their decision making wherever necessary. We recognise that some people are unable to make decisions for and by themselves; some people may be able to make choices and decisions if given appropriate assistance; and some people lack sufficient capacity to express and explore their preferences.  It might therefore become necessary to have an advocate act on their behalf and in their best interest.  We believe that the advocate's decisions and decision making processes on their behalf should be consistent with the principles of self determination.  The notion of choice has sometimes been exploited to the detriment of people with disability.  Substitute decision makers, and others affecting the choices of people with disability, should act in a manner consistent with these values.  The processes used to appoint these people should also be congruent with these values.

We believe everyone has the right to feel safe and accepted; we all need to love and be loved.  Everyone is entitled to experience freely given, long term, personal relationships.  We recognise that some people with disability are abused or neglected by professionals, individuals, human services and governments.  Where this relates to people supported by our organisation, we will address these injustices and seek protection for them from social and individual harm.

We believe everyone should be accepted for who they are and to have their differences appreciated.  Everyone should have opportunities to develop a cultural, spiritual and political identity.  All should have the freedom to express their political, spiritual and cultural views, and the right to be heard.  We are all entitled to be nurtured at all levels (physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually, and spiritually), to make mistakes and to learn from them.  We should not be afraid to admit when we are wrong.  The more vulnerable a person is the more society needs to make an effort to be accommodating, inclusive and welcoming.  People with disability should be treated with the same dignity and respect as any other human being.  We believe that everyone should be given access to a means of communication and outlets for their creativity.

We believe that all people should have freely given relationships which enable them to both give and receive friendship and love, and which provide opportunities for them to engage as emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical and sexual human beings.  We acknowledge that in most cases people who live in families, or belong to clubs, groups, religions or other movements are generally healthier and live longer.

We believe in the value of freely given relationships for all people and the power and potential of freely given relationships to enhance people's lives, to safeguard their interests, and to sometimes save people from dangerous circumstances.

We believe that rights bring with them social responsibilities.  Everyone is responsible for recognizing the impact of their actions on others. Everyone should be willing to consider differences, and demonstrate a commitment to others through their words and actions.  We should all be willing to listen to others, particularly those who are the most vulnerable.  Everyone, including people with disability, has a valuable contribution to make to society.

We believe our organisation has the right to influence systems, public policy, human service practices and cultural behaviour that impacts negatively on people with disabilities and others we engage with.

We believe that taking a public stance in the media and in public forums can work towards affecting beneficial change for people with disabilities, but are mindful of the power of media and other influential social constructs to present both positive and negative images and impressions.  We will act sensitively when taking a public stance or using the media, being aware of possible negative impacts if people with disability are poorly or inappropriately portrayed.  We will stand with people with disabilities, and ensure that our portrayals of people with disabilities are positive and enhancing.

We believe that social advocacy can serve as a key leadership tool for generating productive social change and developing inclusive communities.  We will continue to work from the assumption that social change can be achieved, no matter how strong the opposition.  We recognise that there are significant tensions between our ideals, and the current dominant social values, and that we must all operate within the current social context.  We believe that it is possible to change the life circumstances of some people with disability through taking planned action to influence policies and practices.  Also critical to long term change, is providing people with disability with the means to voice their opinions and play a role in influencing and effecting change.

Some people with disability need others to work with them, individually and collectively, to protect them, defend them, and to seek positive social change.  There will never be too many people to stand beside, and act on the side of people with disability.  Many people need to be encouraged to make a positive social contribution to the lives of people with disability.  We are committed to supporting social advocacy for people with disability, in all its forms, with a view to achieving a better society for us all.

We believe in the importance of developing positive, mutually respectful and supportive relationships with the people our organisation serves as this augments our knowledge and understanding of the person's needs and desires and enables us to respond appropriately and effectively to the person.  Every human is entitled to have their needs addressed adequately and appropriately.  We affirm our commitment to working cooperatively and collaboratively with people receiving our services, as well as others who share similar goals, aspirations and values to those embraced by Access Recreation.  Significant changes and future planning for the organisation will always be undertaken in an inclusive and consultative manner.

We believe in the value, commitment, knowledge and skills of both paid and unpaid workers in our organisation and within the broad human services sector.  We recognise that volunteers and paid workers enrich our governance and support our operations.  We are committed to supporting and developing our volunteers and workers and those who govern our organisation so they can meet the changing needs of our communities and the people who access our services.

We affirm the importance of our autonomy from government and value this as one of our greatest strengths.  We will continue to strive for mutually beneficial relationships with government and other partners.  We are committed to our emphasis on people and not profit, and believe that the community sector has a vital role in supporting and empowering the most vulnerable people and communities.

Access Recreation will exercise its values and vision in open, honest and responsive ways.  We will be better able to organise our efforts to make change for people with disability, if everyone involved respects and honours each other, including actively valuing people with disability.  We are committed to constantly reviewing and evaluating our congruence as an organisation - our integrity, our focus, and our message.