Research

Identifying the Sporting Needs of People with Disability

The Australian Sports Commission in conjunction with the University of Technology, Sydney is currently conducting a research project investigating the ‘Barriers and benefits of including people with disabilities in sport and active recreation’. The aim is to provide an evidenced based position to inform government, sport, and the disability sector of the factors that influence the participation of people with disabilities in sport and active recreation.

The study is focussed on two targeted populations:

  • People with disability – end users of sport and active recreation opportunities (through seeking to understand the current patterns of participation and non-participation)
  • Disability service providers - those people working directly with persons with disability but not in sporting or disability-specific sporting organisations. This population represents a range of organisations - large and small, government and not-for-profit - that provide a wide range of services across the disability sector spectrum

See related links below for the latest research update, the final report is due to be completed by June 2010.

Want to be part of this research project?

Australians love sport and active recreation but research has shown that people with disability participate less than the rest of the community. We would like to know of your sport and active recreation experiences whether you participate or not.To be part of the  research study complete the disability participation and non-participation survey (see related links).

Your participation in this study is highly valued whether you are a participant or not. We are interested in the reasons for non- participation and the constraints to participation that people with disability face.

Those fully completing the questionnaire have the opportunity to go into a guessing competition to win one of five $600 vouchers for inclusive sport and recreation equipment.

For further information on the equipment available, visit Modern Teaching Aids (see related links).

If you require an alternative format (large print, e-text, easy english) or would like to complete this questionnaire by phone or want further information, please contact the project manager: Ryan Sherry on (02) 9514 5101 or by email at ryan.sherry@uts.edu.au

Disability Sector Education Resource Project

Throughout 2009 interactive forum sessions were conducted in each state and territory, they involved the use of Turning Point interactive keypad technology to gather general opinions on people with disability and sport and recreation from representatives of the community organisations providing them with support. Over 100 organisations took part in the process which concluded in September 2009. The disability sector resource project represents a specifically targeted follow-up to this initial information gathering exercise.

Aims

  • The Sports CONNECT Disability Sector Resource Project has three main aims
  • to identify factors that impact upon the participation of people with disability in sport and recreation
  • design and develop a flexible education package suitable for delivery to the sport and disability sectors
  • test the delivery of the resource material with the sport and disability sectors

These aims were to be achieved through a process of

  • review of existing material
  • consultation with the disability, and where relevant, sports sectors
  • design, development and testing of new material

However, in discussion with the Disability Sport Unit, the consultant felt that the project should consider some additional issues

  • a more extensive consultation process was required; the sport sector (‘supply’ side) had received the greater majority of support through the Disability Education Program and the Sports CONNECT framework, therefore the emphasis should be on consultation with the Disability Sector (‘demand’ end) to gather views about the need for, and nature of, the proposed resource
  • in addition to resource material already produced, the concept of sport-based educational material for use by the disability sector should be explored
  • that the process should be directed by the findings of the consultation

It was decided, therefore, with the assistance of the Sports CONNECT network, in particular state-territory coordinators, to embark on an extensive consultation with disability services organisations, service users, their parents and carers.

The sub-text behind this focused consultation was to ask individual participants representing these groups what kind of resource would

  • help them to build on previous sports background
  • develop positive perceptions of sport and physical activity
  • recognise and develop solutions to perceived barriers to participation
  • understand and enjoy the benefits of sport and physical recreation

See related downloads below for the Disability Sector Education Resource Project Consultation Phase Report.

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Australia is one of only two nations to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games.

Quick numbers

700 athlete scholarships are offered annually at the AIS.
263 current and former AIS athletes competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
142 Olympic medals have been won by athletes from the AIS since its establishment.
40 thousand kilometres were swum by Petria Thomas while at the AIS.
1 million people visit the AIS each year.
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