At the Ottawa Sport Council, we believe that sport at all levels is an integral building block of healthy communities and should be available to everyone.

According to the United Nations, people with disabilities often face barriers as disability elicits negative perceptions and discrimination in many societies. As a result, they can be excluded from education, employment and community life which deprives them of opportunities that are important for their social development, health and well-being.

Sport can help break down these barriers and reduce stigma because it helps to transform community attitudes about people with disabilities by highlighting their skills, and reducing the tendency for people to see the disability rather than the person.

Ottawa has a wealth of opportunities to participate in sport accommodating people with a disability.  Special Olympics Ontario – Greater Ottawa is one such organization which promotes inclusion in sport in the community. This organization currently has over 1000 registered athletes and volunteers participating in community sport programs across the city. Special Olympics Ontario – Greater Ottawa offers all sorts of sports, tailored for those with disabilities which include summer ports such as soccer, golf, track and field, bowling softball and bocce, and winter sports such as alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, snow shoeing, floor hockey, figure skating, rhythmic gymnastics, basketball, swimming, volleyball,  indoor soccer, powerlifting, bowling and badminton.

There are also other sporting groups in Ottawa who also offer specialized programs for people with disabilities. The Champlain Local Health Integration Unit has published a list of organizations in Ottawa that offer programs for people of all abilities.

No one should ever be excluded from participating in sport. If you have a disability and would like to get involved in sport don’t be afraid to reach out to many of the great Ottawa organizations that provide inclusive sport opportunities. Everyone deserves the opportunity to build their confidence, health and well being through participation in a sport that they enjoy!