Our Approach
At Disability Sports Australia, our approach sets out the principles that guide how we support people with disability to participate in sport in the way that works best for them.
Sport is for everyone- but too many are being left behind
Australians with disability face unnecessary barriers to participating in sport. Participation rates are much lower than for people without disability — not because of a lack of ability or interest, but because of inaccessible facilities, limited access to programs, and low awareness of local opportunities.
These barriers create a fairness gap, excluding people from the confidence, connection, and joy that sport can bring.
Our History
For more than 60 years, Disability Sports Australia has been at the forefront of inclusion in sport. We began as the peak body for wheelchair sport and physical disability. Today, we are disability-agnostic, working nationally to remove the broader barriers that prevent all Australians with disability from participating.
Our Strategic Plan
This work begins at the grassroots, where participation opportunities are first formed and where the gap is most urgent.
We know engagement local clubs are critical as they provide the first opportunities for people with disability to get involved, build confidence and feel a sense of belonging
How We Create Change
Elevate
We promote the value and impact of sport for people with disability, building understanding and recognition across society.
Enable
We create clear pathways into sport and promote inclusive opportunities for participation.
Equip
We give sporting organisations the training, tools and resources that they need to confidently include people with disability.
Collaborate
Engage with people and organisations across all levels of sport to strengthen grassroots participation and create opportunities for people with disability on and off the field.
Guided by our philosophy
We take a disability-agnostic approach focussing on addressing barriers that affect anyone with disability.
This evolution reflects our belief that inclusions is about breaking down obstacles, not representation of specific groups of people with disability.
Our work is guided by the Social Model of Disability, which recognises that it is the environments and systems that require change, not people.
We are also aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
We believe that sport has the greatest impact when it is meaningful to the individual and thats why we are committed to giving people choice and flexibility in how they participate.
We advocate for greater access to both disability-specific and inclusive mainstream opportunities, so that every person can take part in sport in ways that reflect their needs, interests and goals.
By listening to and elevating the voices of people with loved experience of disability, we make sure our programs and partnerships are inclusive practical and shaped by community need.
All our programs are free for participants, ensuring that cost is never a barrier. This is only make possible through strong relationships with organisations that share our mission.
What this looks like in practice
We provide positive first experiences to sport
Through programs like Abilities Unleashed and Try Para Sport, we help people try sport in their local communities, giving them welcoming first experiences that can spark lifelong participation and connection.
We provide free education resources
We provide simple, actionable tools and resources that give coaches and volunteers the confidence to include everyone.
We share stories to shift culture
We share real stories that help people see sport differently, building understanding and bringing communities together.
We build capability in clubs
We support sport organisations with training, resources and practical help so that they can create accessible, welcoming environments.
We provide clear pathways
We help people understand the options to get involve in sport, so that they can participate in the way that suits them.
Our approach has made a difference
Every year thousands of people with disability experience sport through our programs. Together with our partners, we are creating a sport system that is welcoming, inclusive and accessible.
Our goal is to not only create opportunities but to ensure that sport is accessible and a driver of social change.
