With the upcoming Paris Olympics, excitement and (tension!) is high as athletes prepare to take home the gold.

While the first ever Olympics took place in 1896, the Paralympics did not appear until 1960 (the first official Paralympics was in Rome, Italy). Its popularity has grown since then from 400 athletes in 1960 to an expected 4,400 athletes this year in Paris!

Initially what had started as an archery sport competition amongst 16 injured war veterans at a London hospital has now expanded to a global sensation with 549 medal events and 28 sports being represented in Paris.

Fun fact: Australia has totaled 1,240 medals at the Paralympics over the decades.

The Paralympics are a demonstration of the growing commitment to inclusivity, with participant categories for physical disabilities, vision impairments, and intellectual disabilities.

Despite this global progress, many people with disabilities still face significant barriers when it comes to participation in sports.

Almost 20% of people in Australia live with disability, but only one in four participate in sport. There are several reasons for this, which we will outline below.

Coaches and spectators can lack awareness surrounding the specific needs and capabilities of people with disabilities. Educating themselves about the different disabilities and how to include and cater to their needs can better promote communal inclusivity and build toward a shared understanding of how people with disabilities can and should be better included and thus represented in sport.

Some sporting facilities don’t offer specialised doors, equipment or ramps, and clubs or facilities may not plan or provide access or adequate support for players with a disability. Additionally, transportation can be a challenge for some people with disabilities with some requiring carers or the use of specialised transport. Hence, it is crucial for organisers to ensure physical accessibility such as spacious spectator areas for people in wheelchairs, and to have appropriate equipment that can be utilized for players’ diverse needs.

Under-representation of people with disabilities’ involvement in sports in mainstream media can contribute towards social stigma and feelings of discomfort or fear of judgement, with over a third of parents pointing towards social stigma as being a major barrier in their disabled child playing sports.

It is crucial to avoid enforcing stereotypes and misconceptions about people with disabilities to not create further marginalisation. In promoting inclusivity and building awareness, all sectors of society can help encourage the participation of people with disabilities in sports

These statistics demonstrate the crucial importance of increasing inclusivity in sports for people with disabilities, highlighting the unequal gap between people with and without disabilities, regarding sporting opportunities and how this gap affects their health.

• Compared to 31% of people without disabilities, 46% of Australians with disability do not engage in physical activity
• 75% of Australians with a disability want to take part in sport but feel that there are limited opportunities’
• ‘People with disabilities are 1.7 times more likely to be classed as medically obese than people without a disability’
• People with disabilities have higher rates of long-term health conditions

A report commissioned by the UK children’s the charity Variety, found that half of disabled kids do not feel comfortable partaking in sports. This is unacceptable and needs to be changed. As a community, we can address the above factors to promote equality and togetherness, encouraging people with disabilities to feel empowered and independent through sports participation.

The Paralympics has helped to break down society-imposed limitations and shine a positive, inspirational light on the Paralympians and people with a disability participating in sport. A survey conducted in 2010, reported that 82% of disabled survey respondents believed the Paralympic Games have changed negative perceptions to disability.

At Help and Hand Support we strive to help our clients realise their own personal goals and empower them to achieve them – no matter how big or small. Our staff are passionate about instilling confidence and building independence to empower clients to live their best lives. Like that of every Paralympian, we believe that each one of our clients has great potential and are excited to help turn their dreams into reality.

Along with other Australians who feel inspired by the Paralympians’ performances and achievements, the team at Help at Hand Support are just as proud and inspired and can’t wait to watch our Aussies Paralympians compete in Paris next month!