At Disability Sport Wales (DSW), inclusivity isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. Ensuring that para-athletes and disabled participants have equal access to sports facilities and events is central to their mission. That’s why Nathan Stephens, Head of Performance Development at DSW, recently took part in PIWS’ 4-day Champion Training Course on accessibility.
Nathan, whose work includes developing pathways for disabled athletes from grassroots participation to the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games, recognises the importance of accessibility in event planning. Attending the PIWS training course at the Royal Welsh Showground in February 2025 provided him with valuable insights to enhance accessibility standards across Disability Sport Wales’ events.
Learning Beyond Personal Experience
As an individual with an impairment, Nathan already had a personal understanding of accessibility challenges. However, he approached the training with an open mind, looking to broaden his knowledge beyond his own experiences. His main objectives were to:
✅ Expand his awareness of different impairment types and their accessibility needs.
✅ Develop a standardised approach to accessibility for DSW events.
✅ Improve venue selection to ensure accessibility is prioritised from the outset.
✅ Strengthen collaborations with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to embed best practices across Welsh sport.
Key Takeaways: Improving Accessibility in Sport
The training provided Nathan with practical solutions to common accessibility challenges, including:
- Inclusive Language & Terminology – Understanding how to communicate positively and appropriately about disability in sporting environments.
- Physical Accessibility Considerations – Identifying venue barriers such as entrances, signage, and facilities, and ensuring these are addressed before events take place.
- Standardised Accessibility Checklists – Implementing pre-event accessibility assessments to provide transparency for participants.
- Digital Accessibility – Ensuring event information is fully accessible online so attendees can prepare in advance.
From Training to Action
Nathan has already begun integrating these learnings into Disability Sport Wales’ event planning. Some immediate changes include:
- Proactive Accessibility Planning – Instead of responding reactively to participant feedback, accessibility checklists are now used during event set-up.
- Clear Communication – Participants will receive detailed accessibility information ahead of events to reduce uncertainty.
- Stronger Venue Criteria – Future DSW events will be hosted in venues that meet strict accessibility requirements from the outset.
The Power of Collaboration
One of the most valuable aspects of the training was the opportunity to collaborate with other event professionals, including those from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and Urdd Eisteddfod. By sharing resources and learning from large-scale event organisers, Nathan identified new ways to improve accessibility at sports events, including:
- Pooling Resources – Exploring the use of shared accessibility tools like touch tours and accessible ticketing systems.
- Cross-Sector Learning – Recognising common challenges between the sports and events industries, leading to joint solutions.
- Raising Awareness – Encouraging other sports organisations to adopt similar accessibility standards.
The Road Ahead
While the journey towards fully accessible sports events is ongoing, Disability Sport Wales is taking significant steps forward. Planned initiatives include:
- Developing a Standardised Accessibility Framework – Creating a consistent approach to accessibility across all DSW events.
- Expanding Training – Ensuring accessibility awareness is embedded across all levels of Disability Sport Wales, including staff, volunteers, and NGB partners.
- Enhancing Digital Communication – Providing virtual venue tours and accessibility-focused website sections to help participants prepare.
Through this pioneering approach, Disability Sport Wales is setting new standards for inclusivity in Welsh sport. By working together with event organisers, governing bodies, and the wider community, they are ensuring that everyone—regardless of ability—can participate fully and confidently in sport.
