Athletes with Disability Home
Elite athletes with disability have been able to use the facilities of the Australian Institute of Sport since it was established in 1981. The first scholarship was offered in 1989 to the vision impaired field athlete Russell Short for a place in the AIS Track and Field program.
Through the 1990s a specific 'AIS athletes with disabilities' program was directed was directed by head coach Chris Nunn and assisted up to 30 world-ranked athletes accross a number of sports.
Following the 2000 Paralympic Games, a decision has been taken in conjunction with the Australian Paralympic Committee to move towards integrating AIS programs for athletes with a disability with the respective mainstream programs.
This process commenced in January 2001 with the integration of the Track and Field component of the program with the AIS Track and Field Program.
The AIS contributes funds to a Winter Sport Program for athletes with disability. The Australian Paralympic Committee is coordinating this program. (the AIS Paralympic Alpine Skiing program)
In 2003 the AIS and the Australian Paralympic Committee launched the AIS Paralympic Swimming program. This camps based program has become a finishing school for some of the nation's top Paralympic swimmers.
