Disability In Sport
Disability
Having a disability is part of life for many people in Ireland and some disabilities are not visible. You may live with a condition that others cannot see or you may support someone who does. These experiences are real and they can shape how you take part in sport and physical activity.
Sport Ireland wants you to feel understood, respected and supported. Being active in a way that suits you can help your physical and mental wellbeing, and you should have every opportunity to enjoy sport in your own way and at your own pace.
Below you will find a short video on invisible disabilities. The stories shared here can help you and your community build awareness, understanding and confidence. Greater awareness creates better environments for participation and helps more people feel welcome in Irish sport.
If you are unsure where to begin or would like support, you can connect with your local Sports Inclusion Disability Officer in your Local Sports Partnership. They can guide you toward activities and opportunities that match your needs.
If you have any concerns about your health or are returning to activity after a break, please speak to a medical professional before you start something new.
Sports Inclusion Disability Officers
Find your local SIDO
National Disability in Sport Week
National Disability in Sport Week, from 1st to 7th December, is a nationwide awareness week that celebrates athletes with disabilities and promotes equal access to sport. It encourages clubs and communities to make sport more inclusive and supports more people with disabilities to get active.
Disability Inclusion in Sport Policy
Learn more about our commitment to disability inclusion.
About Sport Ireland’s Disability in Sport programme
Sport Ireland’s Disability in Sport programme is grounded in a rights‑based approach, recognising access to sport and physical activity as essential to equality, independence, and social inclusion for disabled and older people.
We work to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate and progress in sport and physical activity in Ireland. Through targeted funding, policy leadership, and strategic partnerships, we support programs and initiatives that remove barriers to participation, develop sporting talent, and foster an inclusive sporting culture.
Sport Ireland collaborates with National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships, and other funded organisations to embed disability inclusion across the sporting system. Our aim is to ensure that every person - regardless of ability - can engage in sport on their own terms, from grassroots participation to high performance.