A film called “Try!” is in cinemas; according to its website, it “follows four Irish players who defy all expectations on their journey to the most inclusive and competitive World Cup you’ve never seen.” This inspired me to create this article and sent me down a deep research rabbit hole of reviewing what each sports association in Ireland is doing for people with disabilities. Some have lots of information; others, not so much…If you’re part of an association and you don’t see it on this list, it means I can’t find any information about what you are doing in this area. If you’d like to get in touch and tell me, I’ll gladly add you to the list
This is Part 2
Please be advised that I:
- Do not work for or run any of the programmes mentioned in this article
- Cannot give any advice about any of these programmes
- You will need to contact each programme directly to enquire about them
If you would prefer to see the information in a short video format, please view it here:
Established in 2001 as the commercial national governing body overseeing 26 racecourses nationwide and over 390 annual fixture dates.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● equuip: HRI’s training and education arm offers wellbeing and health support to industry workers, encompassing medical help, confidential counselling, and disability support.
● Racecourse accessibility: Promotes accessible venues featuring wheelchair-accessible facilities, ground-level viewing, lifts, and tailored support in line with National Disability Authority guidelines.
● Autism-friendly race days: Provides sensory-friendly provisions and promotes the Sunflower Lanyard scheme at participating tracks for racegoers with hidden disabilities, neurodiversity, or autism.
● RDA Ireland: Collaborates with RDA Ireland and other equestrian partners to support therapeutic riding, adaptive riding, and community equestrian activities.
Established in 2008 as the central governing body for the equestrian sector, coordinating roughly 30 affiliate bodies (including Dressage Ireland, Showjumping Ireland, Eventing Ireland, Association of Irish Riding Clubs, and RDAI).
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● High Performance Para-Equestrian Programme: Manages the national Para-Dressage High Performance Squad, advancing riders from national competitions to European Championships, World Championships, and the Paralympics.
● Grades: Collaborates with Paralympics Ireland and Para Equestrian Ireland to classify riders into five functional grades based on strength, coordination, and mobility (Grades I-III for more severe impairments with walk or walk-trot tests; Grades IV-V for upper limb, short stature, or visual impairments B1-B2 executing canter, trot, and lateral work).
● Compensating aids: Permits rider-specific adaptive aids such as double bridles, specialised stirrups, looped or modified reins, and tactile aids for visually impaired riders.
● Para Equestrian Ireland and Dressage Ireland: Coordinates national classes and bursaries to integrate para tests into regular national dressage shows.
● Therapeutic riding: Works with RDA Ireland and riding centres nationwide to enhance introductory riding and grassroots access for neurodiverse or disabled individuals.
Established in 1947, the national governing body for Olympic wrestling, grappling, and pankration, recognised by Sport Ireland and affiliated with United World Wrestling (UWW).
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Open membership: Welcomes participants of all genders, ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
● Youth and grassroots: Operates local adult and youth clubs, training camps, and seminars starting from age eight.
● Volunteers: Relies on a network of coaches, parents, officials, and volunteers for club administration, development, and transport.
● Safeguarding and governance: Enforces Garda vetting, Sport Ireland-aligned safeguarding, anti-doping education, and Coaching Ireland-accredited coach training.
● National and international: Selects and supports athletes for national championships, European/World events, and multi-sport games.
Founded in 1963, the national governing body for Olympic judo, supporting more than 70 affiliated clubs and partnering with specialist organisations like Judo Assist Ireland.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Adaptive Judo Commission: A national IJA commission that trains and supports club coaches in integrating players with intellectual, sensory (including blind/visually impaired), physical, and motor impairments into mainstream dojos.
● Judo Assist Ireland: A global leader in adaptive judo delivering sensory-aware programmes for people with Down syndrome, autism spectrum conditions (such as the AutJudo programme), dyspraxia, and low muscle tone.
● Visually impaired and para judo: Adheres to Paralympic and International Blind Sports Federation rules (such as starting contests in a set Kumikata grip) to enable safe competition from local to international levels.
● Special Olympics and intellectual disability: Collaborates with international bodies and Special Olympics Ireland on modified rules, non-contact skill modules, and adapted grading.
● Allied health input: Utilises physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and special education professionals to draft manuals like the AutJudo Best Practice Coaching Manual and conduct disability awareness training.
Founded in 1975, the national governing body for team handball across the island, representing 10 to 12 affiliated clubs and roughly 1,000 registered players.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Wheelchair handball: Maintains a major partnership with Irish Wheelchair Association Sport to procure sports wheelchairs and run taster camps and beginner programmes for children and adults.
● Youth camps: Integrates wheelchair and adapted handball into multi-sport youth camps (such as Olympic Easter Handball Camps) so young people with physical disabilities can try the sport.
● Grassroots: Assists community groups and clubs in adapting pitch sizes, court rules, and equipment (such as softer or lighter balls) for players with varying mobility needs.
● Charter: Committed to Active Disability Ireland’s Sport Inclusion Disability Charter, encouraging clubs to remove barriers, adapt drills, and improve venue accessibility.
Established in 2015, the primary governing body for powerlifting in Ireland, affiliated with the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF).
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● What Para Powerlifting is: A bench press discipline where athletes lie on a specialised bench, lower the bar to the chest, and press it to full arm extension.
● Who can take part: Any individual aged 16 or over with a physical disability.
● Classes: Features ten weight categories for both men and women, classified strictly by bodyweight so athletes with different impairments compete on equal terms.
● Competitions: Holds annual national championships; notably, in July 2025, IWA Sport hosted the World Para Powerlifting-sanctioned Irish Para Powerlifting Invitational Championships featuring competitors from Hungary, Moldova, and Great Britain, with 2026 nationals scheduled for Cork.
● Team Ireland: Sends national para powerlifting teams to World Championships, including a record-sized squad in Dubai in 2023.
Formed in 1879, governing all-island rugby through four provincial branches with roughly 90,000 registered players, directing its inclusion work through Spirit of Rugby.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Spirit of Rugby: Operates under the IRFU’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, led by a Disability and Inclusion Officer who provides clubs with safeguarding resources, coach education, and toolkits.
● Inclusive Tag Rugby: A fast-moving, non-contact format for adults and children aged six and over with physical, learning, or sensory disabilities, played via a growing network of hub clubs.
● Mixed Ability Rugby: Full-contact, 15-a-side teams where disabled and non-disabled players train and play together with uncontested scrums.
● Visually Impaired Rugby: Adapted formats for blind and vision-impaired players utilising tactile pitch markers, sound-emitting balls, and specialised coaching.
● Coach education: Offers Autism Awareness modules, Disability Inclusion Training, and adaptive coaching certificates on the IRFU Education portal.
● Match days: Features accessible ticketing and sensory rooms at Aviva Stadium, alongside partnerships with IWA Sport for wheelchair rugby.
Founded in 1945, the national governing body for sailing, windsurfing, and powerboating, supporting 64 clubs, 105 training centres, and 25,000 members.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Sailability Ireland: Delivers adaptive sailing across clubs like Galway Bay, Foyle Sailability, and Kinsale for people with intellectual, sensory, and physical disabilities.
● Watersports Inclusion Games: A flagship annual multi-sport event (with local club editions) where participants of all abilities try kayaking, adaptive sailing, paddleboarding, and RIB rides in calm, sensory-friendly areas.
● Club funding: Distributes Dormant Accounts and Sport Ireland funding to clubs for accessible pontoons, hoists, adaptive boats, and volunteer disability awareness training.
● Boats and kit: Utilises stable watercraft such as Squibs, Hansa (Access) dinghies, and double-handed keelboats equipped with servo controls, joystick steering, custom seating, and safety belts.
● Training: Runs Disability Inclusion Training, Transition Year student modules, and adaptive coaching courses covering safe water transfers and instruction.
Founded in 1970, the national governing body for surfing, bodyboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding across 32 counties, supporting 16 clubs and more than 40 accredited surf schools.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Charter: Operates in line with Active Disability Ireland’s Sport Inclusion Disability Charter, committing schools and clubs to barrier-free access, adapted sessions, and inclusive training.
● Surf school accreditation: Certified coastal surf schools (in Clare, Sligo, Donegal, Mayo, Cork, etc.) deliver one-to-one, waist-deep, and adapted sessions for individuals with physical, sensory, and intellectual needs.
● Equipment and beach access: Promotes all-terrain beach wheelchairs, wetsuit adaptors, seated/prone adaptive boards, and wide foam boards to facilitate smooth travel from car parks to the water.
● Surf therapy: Partners with charities like Surf2Heal (Cork) and Liquid Therapy (Donegal) to run ocean-based sensory regulation, mental health, and development programmes for neurodivergent individuals.
● Instructor training: ISA Level 1 and 2 Surf Instructor qualifications cover water transfer safety, disability awareness, and wave-entry adaptations.
● Para surfing: Supports Irish para-surfers competing internationally under ISA divisions (sit-wave, stand, knee, prone, and visual impairment).
Founded in 1968, the national governing body for wakeboarding, waterskiing, and cable sports across 32 counties, working in partnership with Active Disability Ireland and the IWWF Adaptive World Council.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Adaptive classes: Follows international rules across three divisions:
○ Seated: For athletes with trunk or lower limb impairments using sit-skis with custom seating cages (slalom rules allow inner courses for skiers with severe mobility needs).
○ Standing: For amputees or individuals with neurological conditions/hemiplegia skiing on standard or modified equipment, with or without prosthetics.
○ Visually Impaired: For blind and partially sighted athletes using audio communication systems, Audio Slalom Signal Generators, and guides.
● Sit-ski and cable wakeboarding: Offers adaptive wakeboarding at cable and boat-towed parks in Dublin, Belfast, and Cork using sit-wakeboard frames featuring quick-release safety systems and bucket seats.
● Equipment: Assists clubs in acquiring adaptive gear like ‘Deep V’ tow handles, wide trainer skis, Delgard shoulder slings, block release systems, and outrigger floats.
● Venues: Collaborates with clubs and cable parks to improve docks, ramped water entries, changing facilities, and rescue boats with low-water transfer platforms.
● Instruction and safety: Incorporates autism awareness, two-instructor support rigs, and adaptive water safety into instructor training.
Established in 1960, the national governing body and developmental organisation for wheelchair and physical disability sports in Ireland, supporting more than 20 affiliated multi-sport and single-sport clubs.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Governing body and domestic structures: Manages domestic leagues, competition structures, and international representation for its governed sports.
● Wheelchair basketball: Operates training camps, youth clubs, and domestic leagues, featuring regular junior blitzes.
● Wheelchair rugby: Oversees wheelchair rugby (‘murderball’) in Ireland, including elite development, international fixtures, and national squad training.
● Para Athletics and Para Powerlifting: Governs both disciplines, featuring national and invitational competitions.
● Boccia: Became the governing body for Boccia in December 2025, launching the sport on 19 April 2026.
● Youth Sport: Runs dedicated youth clubs for teenagers and children with physical disabilities, focusing on basic skills, active play, and peer socialisation.
● Equipment loans: Operates loan schemes for sports wheelchairs and rugby chairs to eliminate financial barriers for members and clubs.
● Note on Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ): Founded in 2014 as a dedicated charity working with HRI and the IHRB to provide financial assistance, medical treatment, physical therapy, mental health support, housing modifications, and career transition support for jockeys with permanent physical disabilities.
Founded in 1978, the Sport Ireland-recognised governing body for karate across 32 counties, affiliated with the WKF and EKF, supporting 80+ clubs.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Inclusive Karate Policy: Implements Sport Ireland’s participation policies, guiding member clubs (across Shotokan, Wado, Kenpo, Shito Ryu, etc.) in making reasonable adjustments to training, class structures, and facilities.
● Para-Karate: Supports World Karate Federation and European Karate Federation Para-Karate categories, including adapted kata for wheelchair users, visually impaired athletes, and those with intellectual disabilities.
● Adapting the dojo: Guides instructors on modifying footwork, stances, and techniques for varied balance, mobility, or sensory needs, ensuring safe non-contact skill work and sparring.
● Coaches and referees: Delivers equity and inclusive practice training for judges, coaches, and club volunteers to ensure gradings and competitions suit adaptive martial artists.
● Partnerships: Works with LSPs, disability advocacy groups, and specialist adaptive wheelchair karate initiatives to broaden access.
Founded on 18 July 1974, recognised by the GAA in 1982, representing nearly 200,000 members and more than 1,000 clubs across Britain and Ireland.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● All Stars Inclusive Programme: Helps integrated Gaelic games and LGFA clubs run non-contact football sessions for children and adults with neurodiversity or additional needs.
● Local Disability Support Fund: Allocates Dormant Accounts funding (shared with Sport Ireland and Gaelic games partners) to give clubs €1,000–€3,000 grants for inclusion events, infrastructure, and adaptive gear.
● ‘Sign Me Up’: Provides Irish Sign Language coaching videos, visual drill cards, and pitch sign guides to assist communication with Deaf and hard-of-hearing participants.
● Xcessible Club Toolkit: Encourages clubs to adopt Active Disability Ireland’s charter and Xcessible toolkit, featuring volunteer training, facility upgrades, and self-assessments.
● Gaelic4Mothers&Others and Social Gaelic Football: Non-competitive formats for adult women of all fitness and mobility levels, prioritising social connection, health, and fun.
● Training: Runs Disability Inclusion Training and Vision Sports Awareness workshops for referees, club officers, and coaches.
Established via a Sport Ireland pilot initiative in 2001, the nationwide network consists of 29 LSPs aligning with local authorities as primary community links for sport. Houses 29 dedicated Sport Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDOs) who collaborate with clubs, schools, NGBs, and disability groups to remove barriers and deliver inclusive coaching.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Workshops: Delivers disability awareness and inclusion workshops for teachers, volunteers, and community clubs.
● SIDOs: Dedicated officers coordinating local accessibility efforts.
● Funding: Allocates grassroots grants to help local clubs procure adaptive equipment.
● Camps and festivals: Organises multi-activity festivals and inclusive community sports camps.
● Bridging: Runs local initiatives connecting mainstream clubs with disability organisations.
Founded in 1902, the national governing body for motorcycle sport across off-road, track, and tarmac disciplines, representing roughly 30 affiliated clubs.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Medical screening and licensing: Implements an individual medical assessment process under FIM guidelines for riders with spinal injuries, mobility restrictions, or physical disabilities, tailoring licences and start permissions with specific machine adaptations.
● Machine modifications: Permits mechanical changes such as quickshifters, thumb-operated rear brakes, relocated gear levers, dual-lever handlebars, and modified footrests for trials, racing, and off-road events.
● Sidecars and three-wheelers: Regulates sidecar and three-wheeler classes, enabling riders with lower-limb or varied physical profiles to compete as passengers or drivers.
● 2&4 Wheel Motorsport Strategy: Collaborates with Sport Ireland and Sport NI on strategies to eliminate physical and financial barriers and improve paddock/track accessibility.
● Off-track roles: Provides pathways into non-riding roles like flag marshalling, timekeeping, technical scrutineering, and event administration.
Founded in 1901 as the Royal Irish Automobile Club, the national governing body for four-wheeled motorsport, regulated internationally by the FIA, supporting 30+ motor clubs.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Adapted vehicles: Allows drivers with mobility impairments to compete in racing, stage rallies, hillclimbs, and autocross using vehicles equipped with hand-controlled clutch/brake systems, thumb-operated throttles, quickshifters, and adapted seats/harnesses, vetted against FIA Vehicle Adaptation Guidelines.
● Licensing: Issues national and international licences based on functional ability through Motorsport Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer under FIA Appendix L for drivers with congenital or acquired physical disabilities.
● Karting: Supports accessible karting, including hand-control and double-seat karts for beginners and young drivers with learning, sensory, or physical difficulties.
● Officiating: Creates pathways for people with sensory or physical impairments into technical, administrative, and official roles (e.g., event communications, timekeeping, technical scrutineering, marshal support).
● Venues: Collaborates with venue operators and motor clubs to ensure accessible service parks, rally HQs, spectator zones, and paddocks featuring viewing areas and ramps for people with reduced mobility.
Founded in 1971, the national governing body representing hillwalkers, climbers, and mountaineers across the island, representing more than 180 clubs and 14,000 individual members.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Climbing for All: Provides adapted outdoor training and sessions, including inclusive climbing, accessible hillwalking, and wheelchair abseiling for people with sensory, physical, or intellectual impairments.
● Reasonable adjustments: Implements a Reasonable Adjustments Policy across Mountain Training skills schemes (Mountain Skills, Hill Skills, Rock Skills, and Indoor Climbing Assistant), permitting adjusted ratios, specialist input, or adapted methods without compromising syllabus standards.
● NICAS Ascend: Partners with indoor climbing walls on progressive schemes like NICAS Ascend to build confidence, movement skills, and rope safety for neurodivergent and disabled youth.
● Technical systems: Promotes instructor training in adaptive techniques such as jumar, progress-capture haul systems, side-supported climbing, specialist seat harnesses, and full-body hoists.
● EDI strategy: Adheres to Sport Ireland’s EDI framework and collaborates with Active Disability Ireland to eliminate cultural, financial, and physical barriers.
Affiliated with World Netball and Europe Netball since 1976, governing netball across the Republic of Ireland with more than 10 active clubs and regional/university teams.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Inclusion Policy: Enforces a mandatory Inclusion Policy (NI-1012) aligned with Sport Ireland guidance, maintaining zero-tolerance protections against discrimination across clubs and national squads.
● Reasonable Adjustments Policy: Permits competition organisers and clubs to modify court conditions, training spaces, and session structures to eliminate barriers for players with health conditions, sensory needs, or mobility limits.
● Walking Netball: Runs a slower, lower-impact version in partnership with Local Sports Partnerships, suited for chronic health conditions, reduced mobility, or returning exercisers.
● Club guidance: Provides intake guidelines and toolkits to help coaches and clubs assess needs, simplify drills, and build supportive team environments.
● Safeguarding and equity training: Integrates equity and disability awareness into training for umpires, volunteers, and coaches.
Founded in 1922, the National Olympic Committee for Ireland uniting 47 affiliated national governing bodies.
The programmes or policies they have for people with disabilities are:
● Working with Paralympics Ireland: Shares Sport Ireland Campus facilities, coordinates high-performance transitions, and supports joint advocacy for accessible training infrastructure.
● ‘Dare to Believe’: Team Ireland’s Olympic values school education programme featuring modules on disability awareness, adaptive sport, and diversity, featuring Paralympic and Olympic role models.
● Athletes’ Commission: Provides athletes with a voice in governance regarding fair support, mental health, and accessible high-performance environments.
● Sport Ireland policy: Follows Sport Ireland’s Diversity and Inclusion policy and the charter, guiding member federations on inclusive coaching, venue accessibility, and reasonable adjustments.
● Gender and accessibility: Enforces gender-balance targets for boards while auditing event administration and venues for digital and physical accessibility.