Our Approach
We build the capability of sport to enable the meaningful participation of people with disability.
Our approach reflects how we work across communities, clubs and the broader sport system to remove barriers and create opportunities to participate.
Participation doesn’t happen by chance
Australians with disability face unnecessary barriers to sport. Participation rates remain significantly lower than for people without disability.
This gap is not about ability or interest. It is driven by inaccessible facilities, limited programs and low awareness of local opportunities.
As a result, many people with disability miss out on the confidence, connection and wellbeing that sport can bring.
Our History
For more than 65 years the organisations that became Disability Sports Australia have worked to increase participation in sport.
Our history spans wheelchair sport, amputee and locomotor disability sport, and cerebral palsy sport, three distinct movements that came together to form one national organisation.
Today we work across all disability and all sport, building the systems and capability that make participation possible.
Our Strategic Plan
Change begins at the grassroots. Local clubs are where participation begins, and where barriers are most often experienced.
By working with clubs, communities and partners, we help create environments where people with disability can take part in sport in the way that works for them.
How we build participation
Creating opportunities
Local opportunities for people with disability to try, take part and stay involved in sport.
Building capability
Supporting clubs, coaches and organisations with the skills and confidence to include.
Driving change
Improving how sport works by embedding lived experience, evidence and advocacy.
Increasing visibility
Promoting awareness and representation so participation is visible and valued.
Guided by Our Philosophy
We work across all sport and all disability. Our focus is on the barriers to participation, not on categorising people by their disability
Our work is guided by the Social Model of Disability, recognising that systems and environments must change to enable participation.
We support both disability-specific sport and mainstream opportunities, ensuring people can choose how they participate based on their needs and goals.
Lived experience informs our work, ensuring our programs and partnerships reflect real community needs.
All our programs are free for participants, so cost is never a barrier to getting involved.
What This Looks Like in Practice
Positive First Experiences
Programs such as Abilities Unleashed and Try Para Sport connect people with disability to local opportunities in supportive environments.
Building Capability
We provide practical training and resources that support clubs and organisations to include people with disability with confidence.
Shifting Awareness
Through national campaigns, we promote awareness of disability sport and strengthen understanding across the community.
Providing Clarity
We help people understand their options and connect with sport in ways that reflect their interests and goals.
Our Impact Snapshot
Each year, we engage thousands of people with disability through our programs and connect with over one million Australians through national campaigns.
3,309
People with disability took part in sport through Abilities Unleashed.
50+
Local events connected people with disability to sport in their own communities across the country.
1.19 million
Australians reached through our Changing Lives Through Sport national campaign.
Partnerships That Grow Disability Sport
Our approach is made possible through partnership.
We work with organisations across sport, government and industry to build the capability of sport and expand participation opportunities for people with disability.
Partner with Disability Sports Australia to help shape a sport system where people with disability can participate in the way that works for them.
