Specific Population Groups - People with a Disability

The Office for Recreation and Sport encourages the involvement of people with disabilities in all aspects of physical activity, recreation and sport related projects.  People with disabilities are under-represented in physical activity recreation and sport within Australia. There are however, many programs, services and organisations dedicated to providing opportunities for people with a disability to be physically active and to participate within the broader community.

People with disabilities

There are many opportunities for people with a disability to participate in physical activity, sport and recreation. These programs may be offered by the local club in your area, the State Sporting Organisation (SSO), the State Sporting Organisation for people with Disabilities (SSOD) or your community disability organisation.

If you are not certain of what you would like to do, try contacting the YMCA for some ideas and access to programs through the Recreation Link-up program. The Recreation Link-up program enhances the quality of life of people who have a disability by supporting participation in sport, arts and other recreational activities of their choice.

Looking for an opportunity to participate?
In South Australia there are many State Sporting Organisations (SSO’s), sporting clubs, Community Organisations for people with a disability, six State Sporting Organisations for people with Disabilities (SSOD’s) and the Australian Paralympic Committee – SA Branch.

Please contact the Office for Recreation and Sport or click on the links below to find out more about participation opportunities.

SSOD’s
Wheelchair Sports SA,
The South Australian Sport and Recreation Association for People with an Integration Difficulty (SASRAPID)
Special Olympics
Riding for the Disabled
Association of Blind Sports Clubs (Blind Sports SA)
Deaf Sport and Recreation Association of South Australia (SADRA)

The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) has a branch in South Australia. To find out more about their Talent Search Program.

Sports CONNECT - Sports Ability - Creating sporting opportunities for people of all ages and abilities

Sports Ability has two main aims:

• to provide those working in a physical activity and sport setting with more ways of including people with disabilities
• to provide a means for people with and without disabilities to interact in a sporting environment.

Sports Ability is appropriate for everyone:

• People with or without disabilities
• Young people through to senior citizens

More information about Sports Ability, click here.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?

As a participant

You may choose to be a player or a volunteer and assist in a role as a player, coach, official or a portfolio on the committee. You may need to offer suggestions and provide solutions to assist your inclusion into the activity. What appears easy to you may seem difficult for some. Your assistance may mean you have a more enjoyable experience.

Community Organisations for People with Disabilities

As a Community Organisation you can play a role in supplying the participants for existing sport and recreation programs and/or in the provision of opportunities for participation in physical activity, recreation and sport. Engaging people with a disability into physical activity, recreation and sport can have many benefits. To find out more please contact the Project Officer, Disability Education Program or the Senior Project Officer, Social Inclusion.

State Sporting Organisations for people with Disabilities (SSOD’s)

As a SSOD you can play a role in supplying the participants for existing sport and recreation programs and/or in the provision of opportunities for participation in physical activity, recreation and sport. Engaging people with a disability into physical activity, recreation and sport can have many benefits. To find out more please contact the Project Officer, Disability Education Program or the Senior Project Officer, Social Inclusion.

State Sporting Organisations (SSO’s)

As a SSO you play a role in the provision of recreation and/or sport opportunities. Engaging people with disabilities can play a larger role than participation in programs. They may be interested in filling volunteer roles within your service. For further information on inclusion into physical activity, recreation and sport for people with disabilities, please contact the Project Officer, Disability Education Program or the Senior Project Officer, Social Inclusion.

Clubs

As a Club you play a role in the provision of recreation and/or sport opportunities. Engaging people with disabilities can play a larger role than participation in programs. They may be interested in filling volunteer roles within your service. For further information on inclusion into physical activity, recreation and sport for people with disabilities, please contact the Project Officer, Disability Education Program or the Senior Project Officer, Social Inclusion.

Resources

Towards Inclusive Recreation and Sport
A five step guide to assist organisations with providing pathways and opportunities for people with a disability to be more active.

Case Studies
The depth of skills and experience which people with disabilities can offer to organisations as administrators, organisers, and officials for example, is a great untapped potential workforce for recreation and sport organisations.

For a Case Study showing a leading example of what roles people with disabilities can play in creating success for your organisation click here to read about Sid James or Gary Hart.

To read about the positive impact that programs supported by ORS and developed by the SA Amputee Golf Association have had on families click here to read Aidan’s story.

Education and Training
Developing Disability Discrimination Act Action Plan (148kb)

For further information
Senior Project Officer, Social Inclusion
Phone: +61 8 7424 7792
Email: participation@saugov.sa.gov.au