One in three Aussies talked more about disability since the Paralympics
![Although the Paralympics allow athletes with disability to perform at world-class levels, other benefits are becoming apparent. [Source: Shutterstock]](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/wp/swimarm1510.jpg?fm=pjpg)
Australians are talking more about disability after watching these events
Key points:
- More than one in three Aussies talked more about disability since watching the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris recently as per Bupa’s recent Beyond the Games survey
- Approximately 8.7 million Australians watched events in the 2024 Paris Olympics, with an increase in Australian viewership compared to previous years
- Curtis McGrath, an Australian Paralympic multi-gold medallist in Para-canoe, highlighted that while the Paralympics provide a platform for athletes with disability to demonstrate their talents, more awareness is required for people with invisible disability
One in three Australians are having ‘more conversations about disability’ after watching the recent Paralympics, suggesting that the Paralympics is improving inclusivity in Australia.
Approximately 8.7 million Australians watched the 2024 Paralympics across the 9Network and 9Now channels, with viewings of the Paralympics steadily increasing over the years.
Approximately 953,000 Australians watched the Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics during the live broadcast, with a total national audience increased by 38 percent, compared to the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
One in two Australians said ‘the Paralympic Games made them more aware of what living with a disability looks like’ in Bupa’s recent Beyond the Games survey.
After watching the Paralympics, six in 10 Australian viewers also ‘agree the Paralympic Games made them see those with disability as just as capable as those without a disability.’
Curtis McGrath, an Australian Paralympic multi-gold medallist in Para-canoe, highlighted that the Paralympics provide a platform to showcase athletes with disability and their achievements.
“It’s no surprise that sport, including Para-sports, continues to bring Australians together,” he said.
“It’s amazing to see more people supporting and cheering on our Paralympic team and being uplifted by the diverse range of athletes who competed. I hope that we have inspired the next generation of Para-athletes.”
However, Mr McGrath suggested that more work is still required to increase awareness of all disability in Australia.
“[…] There still needs to be better understanding beyond the sporting arena. We are still often only identified by our visible disability or dismissed if our disability is hidden,” he said.
“[…] Now is the time to turn that excitement from the achievements at the 2024 Paralympic Games into real action and work together to make the world more accessible, even if they’re small changes in the beginning.”
Some Australian football stadiums and sporting events are generally becoming more inclusive, making it easier for people living with disability to get involved. The Melbourne Cricket Ground has several accessible options for people with sensory difficulties or hidden disability.
For example, visual stories can help people with autism spectrum disorder understand the process of going to watch a game of football in a stadium. There is also a low sensory space in Melbourne Cricket Ground for patrons to use. This is located in the Australian Sports Museum at Gate Three on Level One and is wheelchair-accessible via a lift and ramp.
Bupa Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer Nick Stone emphasised the importance of the Paralympic Games to facilitate communication and how we can make changes to improve inclusivity for all Australians.
“Millions of Australians watched the 2024 Paralympic Games, but it’s what we do now that the Games are over which will show how committed we are, as a society, to support those living with a disability,” he said.
“Half of all Australians believe business, government and the wider community are not doing enough to assist and support those with a disability.
“This shows that the time is right to work together to drive the change required to make our communities more inclusive and accessible.”
Some changes occurring at a government level include making services more accessible for Australians with a disability, strengthening performance frameworks and improving the workforce and organisations to better deliver support services as per the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Although the Summer Paralympics won’t be held again until 2028 in Los Angeles, you can ‘unlock the past and present of the Olympic Games’ by watching previous sporting moments and sports stories on the Olympic TV Channel.
Approximately 5.5 million Australians live with disability according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
After watching the Paralympics this year, did you talk more about disability?
Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media.
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