Instructions
- Read through each section carefully. The worksheet is designed to help you think about how to make communities more welcoming for everyone.
- Complete the activities in each part. There are different types of questions, including matching, short answers, and brainstorming.
- Use the examples provided to help guide your thinking, but feel free to come up with your own unique ideas.
- Pay special attention to Part 4, where you will create your own action plan to promote inclusion.
- After you finish, check your work using the Answer Key at the end. For open-ended questions, the key provides example answers.
Part 1: What Do We Mean by "Diversity" and "Inclusion"?
In any community—like a sports team, a school, or a neighborhood—people are different. This is called diversity. It can mean differences in age, ability, cultural background, gender, or interests. Inclusion is the action of making sure everyone feels welcome, respected, and able to participate fully.
Activity 1: Match the Concepts
Draw a line to connect each term to its best description.
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Activity 2: Scenario Analysis
Read the short scenario below and answer the questions.
The new community skate park has great ramps, but the only way to enter is by going down a long flight of stairs. The unofficial "local crew" often tells younger kids or beginners to "come back when you can actually skate," and all the park's promotional posters only show teenage boys.
- Is this skate park an inclusive space? Why or why not?
- Identify two barriers that might stop someone from using the skate park.
Your Answer:
Part 2: What Influences a Community's Attitude?
Many things can shape whether a community values diversity. Some influences create a positive, welcoming vibe, while others can create barriers.
Activity 3: Positive vs. Negative Influences
For each "Community Influencer" in the table below, brainstorm one positive action they could take to promote inclusion and one negative action (or inaction) that could harm it. An example is done for you.
| Community Influencer | Positive Action (Promotes Inclusion) | Negative Action (Harms Inclusion) |
|---|---|---|
| Local Sports Club | Example: Offering a "come and try" day for girls in a typically male-dominated sport like cricket or soccer. | Example: Having expensive membership fees and uniforms that many families cannot afford. |
| Social Media & Local News | ||
| School PE Programs | ||
| Local Government / Council |
Part 3: Proposing Actions to Promote Inclusion
Now it’s your turn to think like a community leader! Your goal is to come up with practical actions to make a community space more inclusive. Choose a community you know well (e.g., your school, a local park, a sports team, or a youth club).
Activity 4: Brainstorming Inclusive Ideas
My Chosen Community: _____________________________________________________
Brainstorm three specific actions to make this community more welcoming and inclusive. Think about different kinds of diversity (age, ability, culture, gender, etc.).
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Action Idea 1:
How does this action help promote inclusion?
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Action Idea 2:
How does this action help promote inclusion?
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Action Idea 3:
How does this action help promote inclusion?
Part 4: Your Community Inclusion Action Plan
Choose your BEST idea from Part 3 and develop it into a simple action plan. Imagine you are proposing this idea to a teacher, a coach, or a community council member. Be clear and convincing!
Inclusion Action Plan Proposal
1. What is your proposed action? (Be specific! Instead of "be nicer," say "start a weekly lunchtime sports club open to all year levels and abilities.")
2. Who will this action help? (Who is currently feeling left out that this will support?)
3. What resources would be needed? (e.g., space like a gym, equipment, adult supervision, posters to advertise.)
4. What is the first step to making this happen? (e.g., "Talk to the PE teacher," or "Design a survey to see what activities students are interested in.")
⭐ Optional Challenge Question ⭐
Think about a major sporting event you've seen (like the Olympics, Paralympics, or World Cup). How do these large-scale events try to promote diversity and inclusion? Can you think of one example where they succeed and one area where they could still improve?
Your Answer:
Answer Key
Part 1: Activity 1 (Match the Concepts)
- 1. Diversity → B. The mix of different people and backgrounds in a group.
- 2. Inclusion → D. The actions taken to make sure every single person in the group feels valued and can participate.
- 3. Community → C. A group of people with a common interest or who live in the same area.
- 4. Barrier → A. Something that prevents people from joining in.
Part 1: Activity 2 (Scenario Analysis)
- Is the park inclusive? No, it is not. It has physical barriers (stairs) that exclude people with mobility issues, social barriers (the "local crew" intimidating others), and representational barriers (posters only showing one type of person).
- Two barriers: 1) Physical barrier: The stairs prevent access for wheelchair users or people with strollers. 2) Social/Attitudinal barrier: The "local crew" makes beginners and younger kids feel unwelcome.
Part 2: Activity 3 (Positive vs. Negative Influences)
Note: These are example answers. Your own valid ideas are also correct.
| Community Influencer | Positive Action (Promotes Inclusion) | Negative Action (Harms Inclusion) |
|---|---|---|
| Social Media & Local News | Sharing stories that celebrate diverse local athletes and community members. | Only reporting on the wins of the top male sports teams, ignoring others. |
| School PE Programs | Offering a wide range of activities beyond traditional competitive sports, like yoga, dance, or rock climbing. | Always picking teams in a way that leaves some students feeling left out or chosen last. |
| Local Government / Council | Building parks with accessible equipment and smooth pathways, and funding multicultural festivals. | Not providing public transport to community sports grounds, making it hard for people without cars to get there. |
Part 3 & 4 (Brainstorming & Action Plan)
Answers will vary. A strong answer will propose a specific, thoughtful action and will clearly explain how it helps make others feel welcome. For the Action Plan, check for clear, practical steps.
Example of a good action idea: "Create a 'buddy system' in our PE class where older students are paired with younger students to help them learn new skills. This promotes inclusion by building friendships and reducing the fear of 'not being good enough'."
Challenge Question
Example Answer: Major events like the Olympics promote inclusion by bringing together athletes from almost every country in the world, celebrating different cultures in the opening ceremony. The existence of the Paralympics is a huge success in showcasing athletes with disabilities. However, an area for improvement could be the cost of tickets, which can be a barrier for many people to attend and feel part of the event live. They could also give more media coverage to a wider variety of sports, not just the most popular ones.