Advocacy
Disability Sports Australia advocates for a sporting system where people with disability have equitable opportunities to take part and feel they belong.
We work with governments, sporting organisations and communities to remove barriers, improve sporting experiences and create lasting change.
Participation requires systems, not just programs.
Participation doesn’t happen by chance. It depends on capable organisations, accessible environments, partnerships and investment.
Reasonable adjustments are a right.
People with disability should not be excluded from sport because reasonable adjustments are unavailable or denied. We advocate for stronger legal protections and greater accountabilit
People with disability must shape decisions.
People with disability should be involved in the design, delivery and governance of the systems that affect them. Lived experience strengthens policy, programs and outcomes.
Universal design creates lasting impact.
Infrastructure designed for accessibility from the outset creates better outcomes for everyone and reduces barriers to participation across the community.
Disability Advisory Committee
Through our Disability Advisory Committee, people with disability help shape our programs, strategy and advocacy. Their perspectives directly inform our submissions, policy positions and engagement with government and the sporting sector.
Government Engagement
We work with federal, state, territory and local governments to improve access to sport through policy reform, investment and ongoing collaboration.
Our submissions address issues including discrimination, accessible infrastructure, reasonable adjustments and the support needed to create lasting participation opportunities.
Review of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992
October 2025
DSA’s submission argued that current protections in sport are too narrow and do not adequately address the discrimination experienced by people with disability.
Key recommendations:
- Expand Section 28 to address exclusion and failure to provide reasonable adjustments.
- Recognise denial of reasonable accommodation as discrimination.
- Introduce a positive duty to eliminate disability discrimination.
- Strengthen the powers of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Additional issues raised
- Modernising the definition of disability.
- Recognition of intersectional discrimination.
- Stronger protections for participation in school sport and physical education.
Brisbane 2032 100-Day Infrastructure Review
January 2025
DSA’s submission to the Brisbane 2032 Infrastructure Review argued that accessibility and participation must be embedded across Games planning, infrastructure and legacy outcomes.
Key recommendations
- Establish a Disability Advisory Panel.
- Create ongoing opportunities for people with disability to provide feedback.
- Commit to Universal Design principles across Games infrastructure.
- Ensure long-term disability sport activation of Games venues.
The submission highlighted the Blacktown Disability Sports Centre as a practical example of accessible sporting infrastructure and a model for future investment.
Disability Advisory Committee
People with lived experience of disability help shape our programs, strategy and advocacy. Their perspectives directly inform our submissions, policy positions and engagement with government and the sport sector.
Sector Collaboration
Sport can create connection and belonging, but negative experiences can reinforce exclusion. We work with sporting and disability organisations to improve sporting cultures, share expertise and advocate for the support needed to make lasting change.
Through the Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Alliance (DISA), we contribute to shared advocacy and practical action across Australian sport.
International Engagement
We engage internationally to share Australian experience, learn from global practice and bring new ideas, evidence and practice back to Australia.
International engagement strengthens our understanding of accessibility and participation, and informs our advocacy on infrastructure, universal design and disability sport.
Blacktown Disability Sports Centre
Disability Sports Australia secured a $15 million NSW Government grant to deliver the Centre, in partnership with Blacktown City Council, as part of a $30.5 million project. Australia’s first purpose-built indoor facility for disability sport, it now stands as a working example of how accessible infrastructure increases participation opportunities for people with disability, and has informed DSA’s advocacy on Brisbane 2032.
Abilities Unleashed and Sporting Schools
In 2026, DSA’s engagement with the Australian Sports Commission, supported by evidence from schools and educators, helped secure the inclusion of Abilities Unleashed in Sporting Schools.
This creates earlier, more consistent opportunities for children with disability to experience sport through a national school program.
NDIS Reform and Grassroots Sport
In response to NDIS reforms, DSA called for sustained investment in grassroots sport through the Inclusive Communities Fund, ensuring local clubs and sporting organisations have the support to help people with disability keep taking part.
Disability Discrimination Act Review
DSA’s 2025 submission to the review called for stronger protections for people with disability in sport, including reasonable adjustments, a positive duty to eliminate discrimination and improved enforcement mechanisms.