About us
Our Story
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 Vision, Mission and Purpose
Our Purpose
To build the capability of sport to enable the meaningful participation of people with disability.
Our Mission
To improve opportunities for people with disability to be involved in sport in the way they choose.
Our Vision
Lives and communities changed through the power of sport.
How We Create Change
Elevate
We promote the value and impact of sport for people with disability, building understanding and recognition across communities, sport, and government.
Enable
We create clear pathways into sport and promote inclusive opportunities for participation.
Equip
We give sporting organisations the training, tools, and resources they need to confidently include people with disability.
Collaborate
We work with people and organisations at all levels of sport to strengthen grassroots participation and create opportunities for people with disability 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.
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.
Our Story
Disability Sports Australia is a national charity and sporting organisation making grassroots sport inclusive for people with disability. For over 60 years, we’ve helped shape the Australian disability sport landscape.
Our History
Fundraise for Disability Sports Australia and help create opportunities for people with disability to participate in sport, build community, and thrive through inclusion.
Our Approach
Partner with us and support us to change lives for people with disability through the power of sport.
Our Impact
Through our Trailblazers program, your monthly gift helps create opportunities for Australians with disability to lead active lives through sport.
Our Team
Get to know the people behind Disability Sports Australia — our Board and staff, working every day to make sure people with disability can play sport their way.
Our Strategy
Our 2025–2028 strategy focuses on building the capability of sport, breaking down barriers, and strengthening grassroots participation for people with disability.
Our Governance
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Our Partners
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