Philanthropy
Participation doesn’t happen by chance.
Disability Sports Australia works nationally to strengthen the systems, capability and local opportunities that make participation in sport possible for people with disability.
See our impact in action
Participation Matters
Only 14% of people with disability take part in sport each week..
This is not driven by lack of interest or ability. It reflects how sport is structured and delivered locally.
Where clubs are confident, environments are accessible, and opportunities are visible, participation increases. Where they are not, it does not.
Why investment matters
Participation does not increase through programs alone.
It requires investment in the capability, coordination, workforce and partnerships that make participation possible.
Disability Sports Australia follows Pay What It Takes principles, recognising that lasting participation outcomes require investment not only in delivery, but also in the coordination, capability and infrastructure that make delivery possible.
What your investment enables
We make participation in sport possible for people with disability by:
Local Opportunities
Local opportunities for people with disability to take part and stay involved in sport.
Build Capability
Supporting clubs, coaches and organisations to improve accessibility and participation.
Drive Change
Improving how sport works by embedding lived experience, evidence and advocacy.
Increased Visibility
Promoting representation so participation is visible and valued across communities.
From local participation to national impact
Participation starts locally.
Clubs are where people first take part, 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.
With the right investment, this translates into measurable outcomes:
- 3,309 people with disability taking part in sport through Abilities Unleashed
- 50+ local events delivered in communities across the country
- 1,404 people completing the Accessibility Champion Course
- 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 invest in increasing participation in sport at scale.
Philanthropic investment enables the capability and coordination required for participation to occur consistently across communities.
This includes national coordination of participation initiatives, capability development across clubs, coaches and organisations, workforce development including roles for people with disability, and direct connection to community delivery.
It also includes improving systems that remove barriers to participation and reporting clearly on participation, capability and reach.
If you'd like to discuss how your investment could strengthen participation in sport, get in touch.
Support disability sport your way
Investment can take different forms, including philanthropic giving, the Trailblazers monthly giving program and community fundraising.
All contributions build the capability and systems that increase participation in sport for people with disability.
As a registered charity, contributions are tax-deductible.
