Mr. Odhrán Doherty:

In sport, we have many issues around what would again be called ableist privilege. It is the non-visibility of people with disabilities in positions that are not playing roles, such as governance and coaching posts and at the level of committees as well. Sport is delivered, in the main, by people without disabilities. There is a huge gap in the knowledge and awareness of what people with disabilities could bring to those roles.

Much of our work is done through the voices of people with disabilities, for example, the development of the charter and our training and education activities. There have been changes in the culture and behaviours of sporting organisations, but there is a long way to go. Additional role models are required. Pathways must also be created for people with disabilities to take up roles in non-playing capacities at governance level, and in coaching and volunteering as well. We are working on that in our inclusive volunteer programmes and by upskilling boards. We have to work on this issue, which Sport Ireland has also identified as a gap. The more people with disabilities that we can get involved in such roles, the faster the culture will begin to change.