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On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Disability Sports Australia (DSA) has launched its new Strategic Plan for 2025–2028 which outlines DSA’s commitment to enhancing accessibility and inclusion across all sport settings, aiming to ensure that every person with disability has the opportunity to participate in sport in a way that works for them.

Today, marks the 14th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities.

The three year strategy launched by DSA - a national non-profit, registered charity, and National Sporting Organisation - marks a transformative shift for DSA, moving beyond a focus on a specific group of people with disability to prioritising the building of capability of sport.

The new plan reflects DSA’s evolution from its previous role as the peak body for people with physical disability in sport to embracing the social model of disability.

By creating inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environments, DSA aims to drive increased participation and create more opportunities for everyone with disability to engage in sport.

As part of this plan, the organisation has updated its vision, mission, and purpose to ensure that its work delivers a tangible and lasting impact:

Vision: Lives and communities changed through the power of sport

Mission: To improve opportunities for people with disability to be involved in sport in the way they choose.

Purpose: To build the capability of sport to enable the meaningful participation of people with disability.

From 2025 to 2028, Disability Sports Australia will focus on four key strategic pillars that will guide its work and drive real progress:

Awareness – Enhancing awareness through identity, influence, and engagement

Accessibility – Creating clear pathways, improving access, and increasing participation

Capability – Building knowledge, providing education, and encouraging positive behavioural change

Excellence – Strengthening resources, diversifying revenue, and fostering collaborative partnerships

Dr. Renae Domaschenz, DSA Co-Chair notes “Sport has the power to transform lives — through this strategic plan, we’re committed to raising awareness of that impact and closing the participation gap for people with disability at the grassroots level.

“By improving knowledge, providing education, and influencing behaviour, we can drive better access and participation for people with disability.”

Kerri Griffiths, DSA Co-Chair added “everything we do, from community engagement to how we allocate resources, is driven by this strategy. It ensures that we are not only responsive to the needs of people with disability but are also proactive in reshaping the sporting landscape to be truly inclusive.”

A key focus of this strategic plan is to actively engage with the community to ensure that our plans and programs align with the needs of people with disability.

DSA is dedicated to welcoming everyone, regardless of disability, and fostering an environment where all individuals can thrive, belong, and actively participate in sport.

Access DSA’s Strategic Plan 2025–2028, including accessible versions (Accessible PDF and Easy Read)

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