In this episode of Disability Matters, hosts John Comiskey and Patrick O’Donnell were joined by Brenda O’Donnell, Interim CEO of Active Disability Ireland, and Stephanie Mac Sweeney, Sport Inclusion Coordinator, for an in-depth conversation about inclusion, physical activity, and building accessible pathways into sport for people with disabilities across Ireland.
Active Disability Ireland, formerly known as CARA Sport Inclusion Ireland, has spent the past 15 years working nationally to ensure that people with disabilities have real choice, real opportunity, and real access to physical activity and sport.
From College Project to National Organisation
Brenda explained that Active Disability Ireland began as a project in what was then IT Tralee, now MTU, with a clear national remit:
To support Sports Inclusion Disability Officers within Local Sports Partnerships and ensure a consistent, collaborative approach to inclusion across the country.
Over time, the organisation has grown into a national advocacy and support body, funded primarily by Sport Ireland, with offices in both Tralee and the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown.
Now in the second year of its current national strategy, Active Disability Ireland focuses on:
- Advocacy for people with disabilities
- Supporting sports organisations to become inclusive
- Empowering individuals to find ways to be active in their own communities
What Does “Getting Active” Really Mean?
A key theme of the discussion was challenging narrow ideas of what physical activity looks like.
Brenda stressed that being active does not have to mean competitive sport:
“It can be walking the dog, playing table tennis, doing yoga, or simply moving more each day.”
For many people with disabilities, long-standing assumptions — “sport is not for me” — still exist. Active Disability Ireland works to change that message:
Movement is for everyone. Ability is individual. Choice matters.
Two Pathways to Inclusion
Active Disability Ireland works in two main ways:
- Supporting Structures in Sport
- Training boards, staff and coaches
- Working with National Governing Bodies of Sport
- Supporting Local Sports Partnerships
- Reaching People Directly
Through the Active Healthy Me programme, the organisation works with disability services to introduce physical activity, healthy lifestyles and nutrition in accessible, practical ways.
This includes:
- Understanding what physical activity feels like
- Learning about hydration, portion sizes and healthy choices
- Building confidence to continue being active beyond the programme
Training, Education and Breaking Down Barriers
Stephanie described the wide range of training and education workshops delivered nationwide, including:
- Disability Inclusion Training
- Autism and Sport
- Coach education workshops
- Parent and volunteer training
These workshops give organisations practical tools to adapt:
- Teaching styles
- Equipment
- Session structure
- Communication approaches
The goal is simple: reduce barriers and increase participation.
Working with Local Sports Partnerships
Ireland has 29 Local Sports Partnerships, each with a Sports Inclusion Disability Officer whose sole role is to create opportunities for people with disabilities.
Through this network, thousands of people engage every year in:
- Come and Try Days
- Sportability programmes
- Community activity programmes
- Local inclusive events
Stephanie, as National Sports Inclusion Coordinator, works with over 60 National Governing Bodies and all Local Sports Partnerships to build sustainable participation pathways.
The Sports Inclusion Charter: A National Commitment
One of Active Disability Ireland’s most important initiatives is the Sports Inclusion Charter.
Developed in 2018 through direct consultation with people with disabilities, the Charter is built around five key pillars:
- Openness
- People
- Activities
- Facilities
- Promotion
More than 2,000 organisations across sport, education, health and tourism have now signed the Charter, committing to making their services more inclusive.
The Accessible Club Toolkit
Stephanie also outlined the Accessible Club Toolkit, launched last year and now used by over 900 clubs across more than 40 sports.
The toolkit guides clubs through three stages:
- Develop inclusive practices
- Embed inclusive practices
- Sustain inclusive practices
It allows clubs to work step-by-step toward real inclusion, supported by resources, training and local partnerships.
Giving People a Voice: The “I’m In” Campaign
Active Disability Ireland’s “I’m In” campaign profiles the real stories of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity.
These stories highlight:
- Personal journeys
- Barriers faced
- Confidence gained
- The impact of inclusion
At every level, people with disabilities remain at the centre of the organisation’s work.
How to Get Involved
Active Disability Ireland welcomes individuals, clubs, services and organisations to get in touch.
🌐 Website: www.activedisability.ie
📧 Email: info@activedisability.ie
Resources, toolkits and training materials are available to download free of charge.
“Physical activity is for everyone. It’s about what you can do — and creating the opportunities to do it.”
This interview aired on Disability Matters with John Comiskey and Patrick O’Donnell on 92.5 Phoenix FM, a programme produced by Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living (BCIL).
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