Learning and applying rules, taking on and playing an individual role within a team, is part of individual socialisation - and thus automatically part of social rehabilitation. Sport is one of the easiest ways to start social interaction, initiating and facilitating first contacts. It also provides innovative but culturally acceptable approaches to disability within a community. In mixed sport groups people with and without disabilities face challenges together; growing knowledge and mutual appreciation increase the empathic skills on both sides. This acquired understanding encourages a change of perspectives and demands a different approach to daily social interaction.

Jo Verhaegen