The Rundown

According to the World Health Organization, around 16% of people worldwide are disabled. However, in the United States, over half of the disabled population does not participate in sports, compared to just 20% of able-bodied Americans. Disabled athletes face social stigma, high equipment costs, and physical barriers, making them feel unmotivated or unable to stay active. With this issue impacting nearly 1 in 6 people, raising awareness of the problems faced by disabled athletes and increasing accessibility is incredibly important. Luckily, countless organizations and people fight for this accessibility, hoping to level the playing field for disabled athletes around the world.

Why it Matters

Move United is a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide disabled Americans with equal opportunities to compete in sports. In a survey done with program participants, it was found that participating in sports reaps benefits far beyond physical well-being. Participating in sports increased the chance of being employed, enjoying socializing, and overall fulfillment in life by at least 10% in those surveyed. With the potential to help disabled Americans this significantly, it is vital to make sports and other forms of physical activity as accessible as possible.

Move United has made massive strides in spreading accessible physical activity, intending to have facilities within 50 miles of 90% of Americans by 2028. However, some organizations operate on an even larger scale, staging international competitions for disabled athletes and providing extensive media coverage of the world’s best.

The Main Event

Perhaps the most prominent outlet for disabled athletes worldwide is the Paralympics. The games have come a long way since their start in 1948, with the Paris 2024 games boasting 549 medal events and hosting athletes from 180 different committees in 2024. Athletes are divided into classes based on their degree of activity limitation, ensuring fair competition and allowing athletes of any impairment level to participate.

In 2024, all 22 summer sports were broadcast live for the first time in Paralympic history, and the International Paralympic Committee partnered with sites like YouTube and TikTok to spread short-form content. As the Paralympics continue to grow in popularity, social stigma around disabled athletes will decrease, leading more disabled people to feel empowered and get involved in sports.

“At my first Paralympics, the first thing I noticed was that the Paralympics needed to grow.”

-Jessica Long

Going For Gold

Jessica Long is a Paralympic swimmer who has represented the United States since 2004. When Long was 18 months old, both of her legs were amputated due to fibular hemimelia. While learning to walk, she began to practice numerous sports. In 2004, 12-year-old Long won two individual gold medals in Athens, shocking the world. Now, at age 32, she has accumulated 31 total Paralympic medals, 18 of which are gold.

Long states that she is amazed by the growth the games have seen since her first appearance 16 years ago. “I remember as a 12-year-old saying to myself… somehow I was going to try and grow the Paralympic movement,” said Long, reflecting on her first games. As she approaches her final appearance in 2028, it is clear that her goal has been achieved. Since 2004, the number of participants, as well as ticket sales, have drastically increased. With more athletes getting a chance to compete at the highest level and more people showing interest in the Paralympics, one can only imagine the possibilities for the growth of the games in the future.

Meet Virginia

Virginia Ogburn is a 20-year-old UNC-Chapel Hill student and Team USA Paratriathlete. Born without a left hand, she underwent multiple experimental surgeries in her childhood. She began competing in triathlons at age 8 and continued training until being asked to join Team USA in 2024. Virginia’s story perfectly exemplifies the importance of inclusion in sports, as she describes the community Team USA gives her to relate to other disabled athletes like her.

Be on the lookout for Virginia during the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles! She plans to spend the next few years training and moving up in the world rankings, hoping to race on home soil. She is currently 22nd in the world for her class, demonstrating the sheer amount of hard work she puts into her sport.

The Finish Line

Without the influence of athletes such as Long, Virginia may have never realized her talents and ended up on Team USA. The Paralympics provide countless role models for young disabled people in the United States and worldwide, and it is incredibly important to appreciate the value they provide for millions worldwide. As the trajectory of the Paralympics grows and more opportunities present themselves for disabled athletes, the future for accessibility in sports looks more gold than ever.