Sports and people with disabilities
There are local organisations that work towards improving accessibility to sports for people with disabilities. Schools also have responsibilities for access to sport for pupils with disabilities.
Support for disability sports
Disability Sport NI
Disability Sport NI is Northern Ireland's main disability sports organisation. It has over 100 member groups, made up of disability sports groups, schools and adult centres. Disability Sport NI is a limited company with charitable status.
Sport NI
Sport Northern Ireland is a public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland.
Parasport
Parasport aims to help more people with disabilities to take up sport by giving information about sports and sporting opportunities in local areas.
Special Olympics Ulster
Special Olympics Ulster is a sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability from the age of four years old, with no upper age limit.
Local sports facilities
Your local council's leisure department should have details about facilities, sports clubs and other schemes in your area.
Many local councils work in partnership with national, regional and local sports organisations to offer opportunities for people of all ages to take part and develop their skills. Your local library should also be a good source of information.
Paris 2024
The 2024 Paralympic Games will be hosted by the city of Paris in France from 28 August to 8 September 2024.
Government sports initiatives
Government wants to make sure that the number of people with disabilities in sport increases - whether as a participant, trainer or administrator.
To find out about government funding, plans and initiatives in sport, visit the Department for Communities
School sports and children with disabilities
School sport should be fun and attractive to all children whatever their level of skill. Physical Education (PE) and sport play an important role in school life - improving health and developing social skills.
The curriculum incorporates an 'access statement' to make sure equality of opportunity and access for all.
PE is a compulsory part of the curriculum at all Key Stages for all pupils of compulsory school age. Disability should not be a barrier to inclusion in PE or other school sport programmes.
Schools in both mainstream and special school settings should make all necessary arrangements to support young people with physical and learning disabilities to have good access to PE and sport. This includes teacher support and, where necessary, providing special equipment.
Schools and the Education Authority must also make 'reasonable adjustments' to their premises, policies and procedures to avoid disadvantaging pupils with disabilities.