Disability Sports: News, Events, and Adaptive Sports
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Read disability sports news, results, fixtures, and events from around the world, plus a guide to adaptive sports and inclusion for people with disabilities.
At a Glance
- 1 - Adaptive sports are also known as disability sports, adapted sports, or parasports.
- 2 - Sport for people with intellectual disabilities began to be organized in the 1960s through the Special Olympics movement.
- 3 - Sport for people with physical disabilities was organized in the United States in the late 1960s through Disabled Sports USA.
- 4 - Organized disability sport is generally divided into three groups: the deaf, people with physical disabilities, and people with intellectual disabilities.
Topic Definition
- Adaptive Sports
Adaptive sports, also called disability sports, adapted sports, or parasports, are sports played by people with disabilities, spanning both physical and intellectual impairments. Many of them are based on existing able-bodied sports that have been modified to meet the needs of the athletes, which is why the term adapted sports is often used. Today, organized competition for athletes with disabilities generally falls into three broad groups - the deaf, people with physical disabilities, and people with intellectual disabilities - and each group has its own history, governing organizations, and competition programs. The wider aim of the movement is to give people with physical, sensory, and learning disabilities equal access to sport and physical activity worldwide, whether they take part as athletes, coaches, or administrators.
Overview
This section of Disabled World presents a round up of disability sports news and events, including results, fixtures, and interviews, from around the world concerning persons with disabilities.
Disability sporting events around the world are becoming more and more common every day, and round the globe there are numerous organizations working towards improved accessibility of sports for disabled people at every level.
Disabled World wants to make sure that the number of disabled people in sport increases across the board - whether as a participant, trainer, or administrator. The aim being to ensure that people with physical, sensory and learning difficulties have equal access to sport and physical activity worldwide. Learn more about the increasing broad aspects of disability sport and get practical tips on inclusion.
What are Adaptive Sports?
Adaptive sports also known as disability sports, adapted sports, or parasports, are sports played by persons with a disability, including physical and intellectual disabilities.
- Sport for persons with intellectual disabilities began to be organized in the 1960s through the Special Olympics movement.
- Sport for persons with physical disabilities also began to be organized in the U.S. in the late 1960s through Disabled Sports USA.
As many disabled sports are based on existing able-bodied sports, modified to meet the needs of persons with a disability, they are sometimes referred to as adapted sports. Today, organized sport for athletes with a disability is generally divided into three broad disability groups:
- The deaf
- People with physical disabilities
- People with intellectual disabilities
Each group has a distinct history, organization, competition program, and approach to sport.
Read about all the disabled sporting action and coming events in our news articles regarding disability in sports, results, breaking sport news, action video clips, and sporting event listings, as well as feature stories and articles. For the latest in Paralympic news updates, events, and venues, visit our Paralympic Games Section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between adaptive sports and parasports?
The terms are largely interchangeable, since adaptive sports, disability sports, adapted sports, and parasports all describe organized sport for people with disabilities, though parasport is often linked more closely with elite Paralympic competition.
How can a person with a disability get started in sport?
A good first step is to contact a local disability sports club, national governing body, or community program, which can advise on suitable sports, classification, and adapted equipment.
What equipment is used in adaptive sports?
Depending on the sport, athletes may use sport wheelchairs, prosthetics, handcycles, sledges, guide runners, or balls with bells, all designed to support safe and fair participation.
Are adaptive sports only for elite athletes?
No, adaptive sports welcome people at every level, from beginners and recreational players to competitive and elite athletes, with programs suited to different ages and abilities.
What is deaf sport and how is it organized?
Deaf sport is organized separately from other disability groups and includes events such as the Deaflympics, where communication and signals are adapted for athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Can people without disabilities take part in adaptive sports?
Yes, many programs offer inclusive or unified formats that bring together players with and without disabilities, and non-disabled volunteers also serve as coaches, guides, and officials.
How are athletes grouped in disability sport competition?
Athletes are typically placed into classes through a classification process based on the type and degree of their impairment, so competitors with similar function compete against one another.
Where can I watch disability sports?
Major events such as the Paralympics are broadcast on television and streaming services, and the International Paralympic Committee streams many events online. Local clubs and leagues also welcome spectators at games.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: