Roscommon Sports Partnership has appointed its’ new Sports Inclusion Disability Officer (SIDO) in July 2019, with a view to increasing participation by people with a disability in sport and physical activity.

The Disability Officers programme is guided by the National Objectives outlined by the CARA Centre in association with Sport Ireland.

Sports Inclusion Disability Officer Objectives include:

  • Adopt guidelines as outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan under Healthy Ireland and the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
  • Establish a disability sports forum encouraging cooperation and collaboration with disability organisations, sports organisations, volunteer organisations and other relevant key stakeholders that would strategically steer the developments of the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer.
  • Link with local disability organisations; assess current needs and possible developments that may facilitate increased participation both within the disability service and additionally encouraging the participation of members within the community clubs/sessions.
  • Support and advise existing clubs/sessions that provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate and encourage inclusion within all sports and physical activity clubs, sessions and programmes.
  • Establish new and sustainable sport/physical activity clubs/sessions with a particular focus (but not exclusive focus) on the five national focus sports/activities, i.e., Boccia, Powerchair Football, Athletics, Gym/Fitness and Swimming.
  • Communicate with all relevant disability sports organisations (e.g. Special Olympics, Paralympic Council of Ireland and its affiliates Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland, Vision Sport, IWA Sport and Irish Deaf Sport) to ensure awareness of all clubs/sessions at a local level regarding their associated sports.
  • Provide pathways to performance in the form of support and information to athletes with disabilities whose aim is to achieve their optimum level of performance in sports participation.
  • Provide support, and recommendations and promote accessibility within leisure centres and all sports and physical activity facilities ensuring all activities, programmes, events and sessions are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
  • Develop, facilitate and promote training and education courses/workshops to coaches, instructors, teachers and other professionals/volunteers working in the area of sport and physical activity provision for people with disabilities.
  • Promote and support individuals with disabilities to become coaches, instructors and volunteers within local developments.