• The Australian Bureau of Statistics says that people with disability are less likely to participate in sport or regular exercise than people without disability.
• Research by the Australian Sport Commission in 2010 suggested that 75% of people with disability who play sport want to play more sport, and 83% of people who are inactive want to get active.  
• According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 65% of adults with disability do not do enough physical activity, compared with 48% of people without disability. We know that good exercise routines begin in childhood.  
• Regular exercise (including athletics) has many health and social benefits.  
  • Health benefits which can relate directly to your child’s disability include stronger bones and muscles, improved cholesterol, lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart problems. 
  • Exercise boosts mental health and reduces stress. This is especially useful if your child has additional appointments or therapy related to their disability. 
  • Social benefits include the opportunity to build social networks through fun activity and connect with their local community. It is widely recognised that people’s engagement in their community enhances their feeling of wellbeing and forges stronger community spirit.  

The NDIS recognises these holistic benefits. 

Funding from the NDIS must link to a goal in your child’s NDIS plan and be considered Reasonable and necessary supports. 

Below is a guide of possible supports and the funding category the NDIS may provide to help your child participate in sports and recreational activities depending on your individual circumstances:  

Funding category – core Transport funding. 

• Purchase of specialised sporting equipment or modification of off the shelf equipment which is called Assistive Technology. For example, if you need a specific type of wheelchair or special equipment to participate in Little Athletics. Check out our handy Assistive Technology Guide.
  • Funding category – core/consumables – low risk Assistive Technology (AT) or capital – mid and high cost Assistive Technology (AT).
  • Would not include equipment which any person would need to purchase to play eg running shoes.  
• Allied health services – Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology, exercise physiology who can support your child to build skills needed to access athletics. For example, to improve balance to be able to jump or stand for throwing events etc.
  • Funding category – capacity building (improved daily living) and improved health and wellbeing. 
  • Support to choose the correct Assistive Technology.
• Personal assistance to participate in athletics. This can be provided by a support worker or carer or paid helper.  For example, if your child needs someone to help them change into sports clothes or go to the toilet or to participate in the events (moving between the stations, waiting etc) and it is age appropriate to complete without parental help.
  • Funding category – core assistance with community participation. 
• Transport to athletics where it is not reasonable to expect family or the community to provide the transport and where your child is not able to use public transport independently. For example, a teenager could typically attend athletics on their own and so transport may be suitable.