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People with disability

Australian Sports Commission is determined to have more Australians participating and excelling in sport, from grass-roots right up to the pinnacle of elite competition.

Disability can affect anyone in the community.

It can be caused by disease, illness, hereditary conditions, or accident/injury and may include individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric and/or other health related disabilities. Approximately 1 in 6 (18%, or 4.4 million) people in Australia have disability, opens in a new tab.

People with disability receive the same physical, mental and social benefits from participating in sport and physical activity as any other participant. However, the most recent results from AusPlay data show that adults who have disability participate in sport or physical activity less than adults who don't.

Sometimes, a person’s disability isn’t the major reason for not participating in sport. Some of the most common barriers reported include costs, transportation, knowledge or awareness and the lack of accessibility. An increased level of support may be needed for people with disability to be meaningfully included.

Disability Sport football

Strategies

  • You don’t always need a separate program for people with a disability. Speak to the participant and their parents/guardians about their needs and adapt accordingly.
  • If a separate program is required aim to run it concurrently with another program to create a one club mentality.
  • When facilitating a separate program ensure consultation takes place during the design of programs with community and experts in disability sport.  That way programs can be tailored for those who have specific support needs.
  • Include people with disability in club social events and where possible offer them a role of significance.
  • Consider holding themed events that celebrate people with a disability at your club and in the community.
  • Celebrate significant days on the calendar through social media and posters such as International Day of People with Disabilities.
  • Include a question around what accessibility needs someone requires on all club registrations and any RSVP forms for club events.
  • Remember accessibility is not just about accessing the facility, but access in terms of finding out information about programs or feeling welcome to participate.
  • Consider creative ways to assist any family at your club that has transport or financial challenges that are preventing participation.
  • Work with people with a disability to ensure facilities are accessible to all community members.
  • Offer an environment that exposes participants to less stigma, or one where coaches and leaders are more likely to have tailored knowledge and experience.
  • Adopt collaborative approaches to service delivery and working with relevant organisations and community members, such as disability (sports) service providers, special schools, and disability advocacy groups.
  • Develop clear policies that outline consequences for discrimination, ensuring that inappropriate slurs or insults (for example in jokes) are included as forms of discrimination and will have the same consequences.
  • Using appropriate language and images that celebrate and help to shape community perceptions about disability.

Resources

Complete the Accessibility Champions Course

Best practice examples

NORTHERN TERRITORY NETBALL – DRAGONFLIES NETBALL TEAM

The Dragonflies Netball team is the first representative netball team for women with intellectual disability. They became the first Northern Territory team to compete in the National Netball championships for women with intellectual disability. The formation of the team provides participants with opportunities to develop skills in a safe and welcoming environment, promoting the development of different life skills such as positive behaviour and leadership. Participants actively take these skills back into their communities and are role models to their peers.

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SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA – SOCIAL WHEELCHAIR SOFTBALL

Australia’s first social wheelchair softball competition was launched in 2019 by Softball Australia. The inclusive competition provides a chance for people with disability to partake in softball with able-bodied participants on an equal basis. All ages, genders and abilities play seated in a wheelchair. The sport focuses on accessibility, inclusion and creating social connections with people of all ages and abilities.

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First Nations Australians Cultural, racial and linguistically diverse communities LGBTIQ+ communities People with disability Intersectionality Women and girls

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