Currently, over one in five Australians experience some form of disability, a census figure that represents roughly 5.5 million compatriots. However, despite this impressive number, only 25 percent of those young people are active in sports today. Alarmingly, 75 percent report that they want to be physically active but face both physical and social obstacles that prevent them from being active.
Mark Stephenson, a former professional firefighter, is an example of what too many are going through right now. Once diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he subsequently endured the cold diagnosis of Young Onset Lewy Body Dementia. This double blow suddenly cut short his 32-year career. Born again at 55 years old, Stephenson suddenly found himself rudderless and adrift at sea when the abrupt end of his professional career left him without any purpose.
Experiencing this sense of isolation himself, Shivan found a Facebook post that called on people with disabilities to join a sporting initiative. That’s when he stumbled upon Sporting Wheelies. Initially, Stephenson was timid and fearful of being turned down. While this was a step, he made the jump and got really active in cricket, AFL and basketball.
Stephenson’s experience speaks to the larger issue of making recreational sports more accessible to people with disabilities. According to Dane Cross, a representative from Sporting Wheelies, “25 percent of people with disability currently participate in sports, so one in four. What we do know is that three quarters of Americans—75 percent—want to get involved. Yet, too often, systemic barriers keep many from participating. As Cross explains, the opportunity to participate in sport for those living with disability is sorely lacking in today’s sporting landscape.
“What we do know is that there aren’t currently enough opportunities for people with disability to be participating in sport. Currently, the sporting environment is not entirely inclusive.” – Dane Cross
Barriers to participation extend beyond physical limitations. Cross unpacks how many of these women, while motivated, contend with economic disincentives and cultural discouragements that keep them from engaging. Drawing on years of expertise as an inclusion advocate and practitioner, Eric demonstrates how programs aren’t built with exclusion intentionally, but rather through lack of intentionality.
Carl Partridge, an advocate for inclusivity in sports like Brown, emphasizes that the benefits of participation extend past just physical health. As he puts it, “Well, I just think that the benefits are so much more than the physical health benefits. For individuals with disability, sports are a door to community engagement.” According to Partridge, participation in sports promotes self-assurance and autonomy and aids in developing a feeling of community.
The results of a 2019 study by Paralympics Australia support Partridge’s claims to the fullest. The research revealed that 25% of respondents with disabilities identified social interaction as their greatest outcome from sporting involvement. This demonstrates the role of social connections as a protective factor in their athletic experiences. Programs like Sporting Wheelies and Sport4All demonstrate how athletic involvement can help create new social networks for people with disabilities.
Mark Stephenson’s path shows just how life-changing the world of sports can be. He recalls his initial experience walking into a sporting environment: “It was very accepting… once you hopped in the chair, no one really saw the chair. You were just people playing sport.” It was this acceptance that empowered him to build relationships and discover a home.
“You find that new social network. I think that’s really important for mental health as well.” – Mark Stephenson
There is still a great need for more systemic change. Changing attitudes Partridge has seen that attitudes need to change in order to see people with disabilities as athletes who are capable of participating fully in sports. There’s actually a gap in the attitudes and the stereotypes that developed…community attitudes need to change.
The emphasis on inclusivity is crucial. Cross wants to see the sporting environment change. It needs to be inclusive of different abilities and make sure everybody has the opportunity to get involved.
“You’ve got to remember that only a relatively small proportion of people have a disability that you can see.” – Dane Cross
