Philanthropy
Participation doesn’t happen by chance.
We build the capability of sport so people with disability can take part.
Each year, more than 3,300 people with disability take part in sport through our work, and over 1.19 million Australians are reached through national campaigns.
See our impact in action
Participation Matters
Only 1 in 4 people with disability take part in sport each week.
This gap is not about interest or ability. It is driven by inaccessible environments, limited local opportunities, and low awareness of how to get involved.
As a result, many people with disability miss out on the confidence, connection and wellbeing that sport can bring.
Why investment matters
Participation does not increase through programs alone.
It requires investment in people, capability, partnerships and systems.
Disability Sports Australia follows Pay What It Takes principles. We are explicit about that. Increasing participation requires more than funding visible delivery.
It requires investment in the people, infrastructure, partnerships and organisational capacity that make delivery possible and make outcomes last.
We make participation in sport possible for people with disability by creating opportunities, building capability, improving how sport works and increasing visibility.
Create Opportunities
Creating local opportunities so people with disability can try, take part and stay involved in sport.
Build Capability
Supporting clubs, coaches and organisations with the tools and confidence to include people with disability.
Drive Change
Improving how sport works by embedding lived experience, evidence and advocacy to increase participation.
Increase Visibility
Promoting awareness of disability sport and increasing representation so participation is visible and valued.
From local participation to national impact
Change begins at the grassroots.
Local clubs are where participation starts, and where barriers are most often experienced.
We work across communities, clubs and the broader sport system to remove those barriers and create the conditions for participation.
Our approach is grounded in the Social Model of Disability, focusing on changing environments and systems so people with disability can take part.
With the right support, this translates into measurable outcomes:
- more than 3,300 people with disability taking part in sport
- over 50 local events delivered across communities nationally
- more than 1,300 people completing accessibility training
- over 1.19 million Australians reached through national campaigns
Investment in our work builds the systems that enable participation across communities, not just a single program or event.
Working With You
We work with individuals, families and foundations who want to invest in increasing participation in sport at scale.
This includes:
- direct connection to community delivery and national initiatives
- clear reporting on participation, capability and reach
- opportunities to support workforce and system capability, not just programs
Support disability sport your way
Not all support needs to be a formal partnership.
You can also contribute through philanthropic giving, monthly support or community fundraising — helping build the capability and systems that increase participation in sport.
As a registered charity, contributions are tax-deductible.
