Giving BAC – Disability Sports Australia

In Australia, sports and recreation are a way of life, but for the 4.3 million people living with a disability, access to these activities is often limited. Disability Sports Australia (DSA) aims to change that. Through their Abilities Unleashed program, DSA is creating an opportunity for people living with disabilities to discover sports and feel empowered to get involved in ways they may not have thought possible before.

This year DSA were able to expand the Abilities Unleashed program into Queensland thanks to the support of Brisbane Airport’s Community Giving Fund.

DSA’s National Participation and Education Manager, Kristy Rohrer, shares how programs like Abilities Unleashed can change lives.

“We often see participants who thought they could never do sport having a go for the first time and realising that they can get involved and enjoy it,” she said.

The initiative provides opportunity for people living with sensory, physical, or intellectual disabilities to get involved in sport in a welcoming, supportive environment. “It’s not about competitiveness,” says Kristy, “It’s just about giving it a go and having lots of fun.”

The program is all about inclusivity and connection and is suitable for all-ages, where participants can try four to six different sports, each fully activity adapted for all abilities.

“Whether it’s basketball, netball, or any other sport, it’s all about ensuring everyone can participate, regardless of their disability.” 

These come-and-try days are all about establishing solid foundations for people to stay engaged in their local sporting communities long after DSA’s teams have packed up. Kristy explains, “If a local netball club comes along, and a participant really loves that sport, they can then continue in their community, which is really important for us.”

This ongoing connection is a key focus for DSA. Rather than the event being a one-off, their goal is to establish lasting relationships between participants and community clubs so they can be involved in a way that is meaningful to them.

Kristy shared that Brisbane Airport’s grant was particularly timely, aligning perfectly with their plans to expand into Queensland.

“Previously we delivered the events nationally all across the country and Queensland was one location that we had not had the opportunity to deliver in.”

“We were delivering an event in the Lockyer Valley and thought, this is the perfect opportunity to deliver in Brisbane at the same time,” she said.

The grant allowed them to deliver their first Abilities Unleashed event in the Brisbane region, reaching people who may not have had access to sports programs before.

This year, DSA ran three Abilities Unleashed events in Queensland and is set to expand to 10 next year, with a mix of both metro and regional events. The program will include everything from larger-scale events in Brisbane to smaller community days in regional areas.

“For our organisation our priority is not just large participation numbers,” Kristy explained. “We’re focused on providing an excellent experience and reaching out to those smaller towns too. Even if it’s just a twenty-person day, it still matters just as much to us.”

The upcoming 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics is also bringing a renewed focus to disability sport, which is exciting for DSA.

Kristy hopes that increased interest in Paralympic sports will continue long after the games have ended.

“With the Paris Paralympics in the spotlight this year, advocacy and awareness for these sports is really highlighted. Ten to fifteen years ago, no one even knew it was happening,” she shared.

“Now it’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind, and we’re really looking forward to delivering more events and getting more support and sponsorship on board.”

Looking ahead, Kristy and her team are already planning for a busy 2025.

“We’ve got some exciting new partnerships in the pipeline that will help us deliver 10 events across Queensland next year. It’s going to be a mixture of metro and regional, which is really important for us. Sometimes the participants in those regional areas miss out, so we’re making sure we deliver in those communities also."

If you’re interested in getting involved or volunteering, check out the website, Abilities Unleashed, to see upcoming events and opportunities to support this fantastic program.

For more information:

Brisbane Airport’s Community Giving Fund provides cash grants to community groups, organisations and schools that are working hard to make our city and Queensland a better place. To be notified of the next round, subscribe to the Giving BAC newsletter.

Disability Sports Australia (DSA) is a National Sporting Organisation, a not-for-profit entity, and a charity that champions active participation in sports for people with disabilities.

As a leader in Australia’s disability sports landscape, DSA is unwavering in its commitment to creating sporting opportunities that are accessible to all, promoting inclusivity, and upholding the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities.