Across Australia, many organisations are doing valuable work to support people with disability to participate in sport.
However, significant barriers to participation still exist. For many people with disability, challenges such as lack of skilled workforce, access, awareness, attitudes, cost and limited or unclear pathways can make it harder to get involved and stay involved in sport.
By better aligning efforts across the sector, we have an opportunity to create stronger, more connected and more meaningful outcomes making it easier for people with disability to access, participate and progress in sport in ways that suit them.
To support this, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has partnered with researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) to better understand what’s working well, where the gaps are, and what needs to change.
With oversight from the Disability Sport Advisory Group and input from the research team, lived experience will shape the work at every level.
Insights from this work will guide the development of a national Disability Sport Action Plan, aligning efforts across the sector and creating more opportunities for people with disability.
If you’re involved in disability sport as a participant, volunteer, coach, official, administrator, carer or provider, we encourage you to be part of this important work. If you have not been involved in sport, we are also keen to know why.
Have your say by completing the survey, opens in a new tab by Wednesday 30 September.
The survey takes approximately 15–30 minutes to complete and will help shape future priorities for disability sport in Australia.
ASC Executive General Manager Sport and Community Capability and Chair of the Play Well Leadership Group, Richard McInnes, said hearing directly from the community is essential.
“Across the disability sports sector, many organisations are doing excellent work to provide opportunities for people with disability to access the benefits of sport. This project seeks to bring that work together, streamlining and strengthening it to remove barriers to participation and deliver clearer impact and better outcomes.”
Disability Sport Advisory Group member and Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Chantel Lewis said the plan will help drive better coordination across the system.
“By combining evidence, lived experience and sector expertise, we can identify gaps and create clearer pathways making it easier for people with disability to access, participate and progress in sport.”
This work will continue over the coming months, with workshops, online sessions and one-on-one conversations taking place with stakeholders across the country.
Together, we can help build a more inclusive, connected sport system one that removes barriers and creates meaningful opportunities for all Australians to be involved in sport.
Learn more about the Play Well Strategy.