St. Vincent Taekwondo Federation (STF) – Inclusion & Accessibility Plan

1. Purpose

The Inclusion & Accessibility Plan ensures that the STF is committed to making Taekwondo accessible to all individuals—regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic background, ability, or geographic location. This plan aims to break down barriers that may prevent participation and to actively create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and able to thrive in the sport.

Given St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ limited sports infrastructure and geographic spread across multiple islands, this plan focuses on both physical accessibility and social inclusion. By implementing targeted strategies, STF will bridge participation gaps, increase diversity, and set a standard for inclusive sports leadership in the region.

2. Goals

1. Eliminate Barriers to Entry – Reduce financial, physical, and cultural obstacles that may discourage participation.

2. Promote Gender Equality – Ensure women and girls have equal access to training, competition, and leadership roles.

3. Support Athletes with Disabilities – Provide adapted programs, equipment, and coaching to enable participation.

4. Expand Geographic Access – Reach rural and outer island communities with Taekwondo programs.

5. Create a Respectful Environment – Foster a culture where diversity is celebrated, and discrimination is actively challenged.

3. Principles

• Equity over Equality – Provide tailored support to those who need it most.

• Representation Matters – Ensure leadership, coaches, and officials reflect the diversity of our athletes.

• Universal Design – Plan events, training, and communications so they are accessible to everyone.

• Zero Tolerance for Discrimination – Maintain strict enforcement of the STF Code of Conduct.

4. Action Areas & Strategies

A. Financial Accessibility

• Introduce scholarship programs for low-income athletes.

• Offer sliding-scale membership fees based on financial need.

• Partner with sponsors to provide free uniforms and equipment to disadvantaged athletes.

KPI: 10% of annual membership slots reserved for scholarship recipients.

B. Gender Inclusion

• Launch a Women in Taekwondo Initiative with mentorship programs.

• Ensure equal prize money and recognition for male and female athletes.

• Recruit more female coaches and referees through targeted training.

KPI: Achieve 40% female participation in STF programs by year three.

C. Disability Inclusion

• Adapt training spaces to be wheelchair accessible.

• Provide modified Taekwondo programs for athletes with physical or intellectual disabilities.

• Train coaches in adaptive martial arts techniques and safety considerations.

KPI: Run at least two adaptive Taekwondo programs per year.

D. Geographic Accessibility

• Deploy mobile training units to rural and outer island areas.

• Partner with community centers to create satellite dojangs.

• Use online training tools for remote athletes.

KPI: Establish at least three new training hubs in underserved areas.

E. Cultural Inclusion

• Offer materials and programs that respect cultural norms and traditions.

• Translate key STF documents into local dialects and languages where applicable.

• Celebrate national cultural events as part of STF outreach.

KPI: All STF communications available in plain, culturally appropriate language.

5. Monitoring & Accountability

• Appoint an Inclusion & Accessibility Officer on the STF Board.

• Conduct annual inclusion audits to assess progress.

• Collect participation and diversity data for ongoing improvement.

6. Enforcement

• Discrimination, harassment, or exclusionary behavior will result in disciplinary action under the STF Code of Conduct.

• Complaints will be handled confidentially, with clear resolution timelines.

7. Communication

• Publish an annual Inclusion Report.

• Share success stories through social media, newsletters, and local media partnerships.