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Factors influencing participation

The social and cultural benefits of participating in sport and active recreation are often reported as the most important benefits for people with disability.1, 2

Australian observations support a large body of international research identifying factors that present motivators, facilitators and barriers to participation. Generally, when barriers are reduced persons with a disability who engage in sports are likely to experience improved health and better social connectivity.3

Motivators

Top motivations to participate in sport physical activity by persons with a disability [aged 18+]4

  • Physical health or fitness
  • Fun/enjoyment
  • Social reasons
  • Psychology/mental health/therapy
  • To be outdoors/to enjoy nature
  • To lose weight/keep weight off/tone
  • Physical therapy/rehab/post op
  • Hobby
  • Performance or competition
  • For training purposes
C4S-image-Para karate athlete kicking a board

Facilitators and barriers

Australian and international research and reports have identified various factors that can either facilitate or provide barriers to the participation of individuals with disabilities in sport.

  • Facilitators

    Facilitators

    What encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in sport.
  • Barriers

    Barriers

    What holds individuals with disabilities back from participating in sport.
  • Further Resources and Reading

    Further resources and reading

    Dive deeper into the research on what supports and limits participation in sport.

Factors that impact

What motivates people to participate in sport and physical activities can change over time and will be influenced by individual, cultural, and social factors. 40, 45, 67, 68

Persons with disability often report a desire to participate in sport, or to participate more frequently than they currently can. 48, 51

There are some factors identified in the literature that are recognised as having a high impact on sport participation for persons with disability. However, every person with disability is unique. People can experience similar impairments very differently, and will have individual backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives, interacting with social and cultural interpretations of (dis)ability. 2, 7, 68

It is important to recognise that there are limitations to the type and amount of research available to identify benefits, facilitators, barriers, good practice policies, and programs for people with different disabilities. 7, 33

  • Communication

    Communication

    Communication, good or bad, can have a significant impact on sport experiences for persons with disability.
  • Cost

    Cost

    For participants with disability there are often additional costs on top of those that all participants might have to pay.
  • Enjoyment

    Enjoyment

    Enjoyment, having fun, and social engagement are all important motivators and facilitators of engaging in sport.
  • Facilities and transport

    Facilities and transport

    The in/accessibility of the environment can impact on the ability of individuals to participate in sport or active recreation.
  • Program design

    Program design

    'Nothing about us without us' is an important guiding principle when designing inclusive programs, resources, and policies.
  • Role models

    Role models

    Role models can encourage individuals to play sport and become more physically active.
  • Technology

    Technology

    Technology developed by and for people with disability can be a major enabler of participation at all levels and roles.
  • Type of disability

    Type of disability

    Disability type and the level of support required can explain some of the variation in participation seen across different populations.
  • Workforce

    Workforce

    Organisations should be welcoming and inclusive of people with disability engaging in all roles, from players to volunteers and staff.

REFERENCES
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ASC’s First Nations artwork titled KINSHIP. An indigenous painting by Brad Hore OLY encompassing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural elements to represent the ASC.
The Clearinghouse for Sport pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge the valuable contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to Australian society and sport.