8 in 10 disabled girls were inspired by the 2024 Paralympic Games and 67% said it “made me want to be more active and play more sport”.
The Paralympics can be an opportunity for powerful representation of disability sport, celebrating disabled women in sport competing at the highest level on the world-stage.
But while the visibility of disability sport is improving, real-world access, inclusion, and support still lag behind the ideals promoted by the Paralympic Games.
44% of disabled young people said the Paralympics made them feel sad that they gave up sport, and still only 36% of disabled girls dream of reaching the top of sport, compared to 61% of disabled boys.
Our latest research: ‘A game of inequality’, created in partnership with Activity Alliance explores the additional barriers disabled girls face on top of the universal challenges all girls face in sport, seeking to understand the nuances gender and disability bring to a girl’s experiences.
The findings show that gender has the biggest influence on the dream rates of young people, with 36% of disabled girls and 39% of non-disabled girls dreaming of reaching the top in sport, compared to 61% of disabled boys and 64% of non-disabled boys.
Six in 10 young disabled people want more opportunities to take part in sport, but disabled girls are more likely to say they don’t know where to find opportunities in their local area and that they worry about getting there and back.
Our recommendations
- Provide inclusive opportunities for disabled girls that meet their needs: ensure school and community sport is centred on what motivates disabled girls to be active – supporting their mental health, feeling healthy, and having fun.
- Educate the sport sector and challenge perceptions of disability: raise awareness of the rise in non-visible disabilities and mental health issues among young people, especially girls, while addressing the negative attitudes that still exist.
- Increase the visibility of disability sport beyond the games: broadcasters should ensure year-round inclusive representation of disabled women and girls in sport
Download the report below or watch the British Sign Language (BSL) version here to read our full list of recommendations.
