About us
Our story
Disability Sports Australia (DSA) is a national non-profit organisation and registered charity dedicated to empowering people with disability through the transformative power of sport.
Our mission is to break down barriers, ensuring that all Australians with disability can enjoy meaningful participation in sport, tailored to their own abilities and interests.
With a rich history that dates back to the late 1950s, DSA has evolved into a leading voice for inclusive sport in Australia, creating opportunities for individuals, advocating for systemic change, and building stronger communities.
of people living with disability want to be active
Why We Exist
In Australia, 4.4 million people, or 1 in 6, live with a disability.
Despite this, many face major barriers to participating in sport.
High costs, inaccessible facilities, and a lack of suitable programs mean only 25% of adults with disability play sport weekly, compared to much higher rates for those without a disability.
These barriers prevent millions of Australians from experiencing the physical, social, and mental benefits of sport.
At Disability Sports Australia, we’re committed to removing these barriers by creating pathways and raising awareness so no one is left behind.
Sport should be for everyone, and together, we can make that happen.
Our role
Advocate
We increase the social impact of sport for people with disability and raise awareness of the importance of being active.
Facilitate
We create clear pathways into sport and promote inclusive opportunities for participation.
Educate
We support organisations to build capability through training and accessible resources
Collaborate
We work with key partners to grow our networks and make sure people with disability can take part in sport, both on and off the field.
Our History
As pioneers in disability sport, we’ve played a key role in shaping the landscape in Australia and beyond.
Our journey began in the 1950s with the establishment of the Australian Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Sports Federation (APQSF), which led to the first Paralympic Games in 1960.
Over the decades, we’ve evolved, marking milestones such as:
- Supporting Australian Paralympic teams from 1960 to 1984
- Hosting national disability sport competitions like the National Wheelchair Games.
- Developing groundbreaking sports like Wheelchair AFL in collaboration with Para-Quad Tasmania and the Australian Defence Force.
In 2013, we transitioned to become Disability Sports Australia, the peak body for physical disability sport in the country.
Our Approach
Today, we take an inclusive approach, supporting people with disability and advocating for equity in sport at all levels.
Our focus is on increasing grassroots participation in disability sport, improving access, and raising the profile of disability sports across Australia.
Our Purpose, Mission, and Vision
Purpose: To build the capability of sport to enable the meaningful participation of people with disability.
Vision: Lives and communities transformed through the power of disability sport.
Mission: To improve opportunities for people with disability to be involved in sport in the way they choose.
We are proud founding members of Paralympics Australia and the Australian Sporting Alliance for People with Disability, working together to ensure sport is accessible to everyone.
Join Us To Make A Difference
Sport has the power to inspire, connect, and transform lives.
At Disability Sports Australia, we’re committed to making sport accessible to all Australians with disability, ensuring everyone has the chance to thrive.
Together, we can break barriers, create opportunities, and change lives through the power of disability sport.
Support. Participate. Transform Lives.
