While media discussions have focused primarily on elite athletes, there is an urgent need to shift conversation towards community-based programs that support long-term participation and pathways in sport for people living with disabilities. Over the last decade we’ve seen funding directed towards mainstream sporting organisations to develop and deliver programs for people with disabilities. Some sports are doing it well, others not so much, and unfortunately, we’re now seeing the results of this.
The need for specialised, disability-led, community-driven programs cannot be overlooked. Leading sports, recreation, and rehabilitation provider for people with disability, Sporting Wheelies, advocates for investment into grassroots sporting programs that provide ongoing opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in sport. These programs encourage people of all ages and abilities to participate both socially and competitively, creating a foundation for future Paralympic success, while also delivering vital social, health, and wellness benefits.