Empowering Disability Sports Participation

0:00This is Cory, and here's what is making news across Sydney right now. A new project in Queensland aims to gather data from people with disabilities to better understand who participates in sports, who misses out, and the reasons why. This effort ties into preparations for the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, with a goal to get 500,000 more. People with disabilities active in sports and recreation by then. Yet national data currently exists on disability participation in sports, making it hard for governments and organizations to target improvements. The initiative, backed by a $1 million state investment, involves the Jamison Trauma Institute, Queenslanders with Disability Network, and several universities. Para Athlete Sarah Ashley Tite, a 28-year-old goal co-resident with Spina Bifida, shares her journey from being excluded in school sports. To competing internationally in athletics, triathlons, basketball, and rowing.

1:00Her parents and a supportive local club helped her overcome early barriers like missing physical education classes. The Empower Project will track access from grassroots levels to elite competition over two years, with hopes for long-term tracking. Experts like University of Queensland researcher Sean Tweety note the need for more pathways to grow participation to her Paralympic levels. Meanwhile, the state government is pushing initiatives like sports vouchers for kids with disabilities and committing to a lasting legacy from the games. TIE, now helping design the project, eyes the 2028 Los Angeles Games and Brisbane Paralympics proving persistence pays off. Thanks to our sponsor for supporting today's coverage. Comfort you can hear, sound you can relax into, S-O-L-I, soleypillow.com