Disability Sport Conference: Reimagining Physical Culture, Health and Wellbeing
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences hosted a landmark two-day conference in July 2026 at the University of Worcester Arena, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and people with lived experience to reimagine how sport, physical activity, and physical culture can better serve disabled people and other marginalised communities.
The conference attracted approximately 90 delegates per day from 11 countries, with more than 30 presentations by disabled and non-disabled researchers and practitioners, covering topics including disability sport, adapted physical activity, health inequalities, inclusion policy, and participatory research methodologies. The event was delivered in a hybrid format, welcoming both in-person and online participants. One of the highlights of the programme was a presentation by a non-verbal graduate who presented his research using voice technology, supported by his voice donors, who attended in person. This moment captured the spirit and values of the conference.
Delegate feedback was exceptional, with one attendee stating that “Worcester has set a new benchmark for accessibility; there is now no excuse.” Accessibility was embedded in every aspect of the event’s design, from step-free access and live captions to the installation of a ramp, ensuring that all presenters could present from the same level. The conference was organised and led by Rebecca Foster MBE, Principal Lecturer in Adapted Physical Education at the University of Worcester, with significant contributions from Dr Emma V. Richardson, Senior Research Fellow in Inclusive Sport at the University of Worcester and Charlie Carstairs. The conference was opened by Dr Ian Brittain as the key note and on the second day there was a live panel including Chris Bright, Community Partnerships and Events Manager at Breakthrough T1D UK; Stuart Harrison, Vice President at UK Deaf Sport and Richard Hill MBE, Development & Competition Manager (Disability Cricket) at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The event also received exceptional support from colleagues across the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
Rebecca Foster MBE stated: “What felt particularly significant was bringing together respected academics, practitioners, advocates, and individuals with lived experience of disability to celebrate the University of Worcester and its leadership in this area.”
The conference built on the University of Worcester’s long-standing reputation for inclusion and disability sport. It brought together international voices to exchange ideas, develop collaborations, and explore how sport can help reimagine culture, health, and wellbeing through a more inclusive lens. The conference also strengthened national and international partnerships in disability sport research and laid important groundwork for the subsequent launch of the Adapted Physical Activity Research Unit (APARU) in October 2026.
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