PALAESTRA has announced a call for abstracts for the special issue “Moving Beyond Inclusion: Critical and Innovative Perspectives on Disability and Physical Activity,” guest edited by Dr. Katherine Holland from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. The special issue will examine emerging perspectives at the intersection of disability and physical activity, including physical education, sport and recreation. Contributions are encouraged on topics such as co-production of research and knowledge, intersectionality, ableism and disablism, disability justice, critical pedagogy, critical reflexivity, and subjective experiences of disability.

The International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) is preparing to celebrate 50 years of the International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) at ISAPA 2027. IFAPA warmly invites colleagues to donate digital assets related to ISAPA in order to document its history. Donations may include files, photographs, videos, conference programmes, and any other materials of historical or scholarly value. If you hold physical copies that can be scanned, these are equally welcome.

The National Dance Conference – Dancing Without Borders or Limits is an annual adapted dance event in Israel that brings together special education students from across the country. Held under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, the conference represents the culmination of a year-long programme of adapted Israeli folk dance in schools. The conference provides an accessible environment where students aged…

The University of Worcester will officially launch its Adapted Physical Activity Research Unit (APARU) on 7 October 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the University of Worcester Arena, UK, with free in-person and online participation. APARU brings together researchers, practitioners and communities to advance research on participation, inclusion and inequalities in sport and physical activity. Its work includes adapted physical activity and disability sport, health inequalities, migration and belonging, gender in sport, and participatory and co-production research methods.

The IX Congress of Sport Science and VIII International Symposium of Sport Science will take place from 30 September to 2 October 2026 at the Faculty of Physical Education of UNICAMP, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The scientific programme includes dedicated discussion on Paralympic sport, inclusive sport and athlete health, alongside broader topics in sport science. A key session on 2 October, …

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is inviting applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Kinesiology, with an expected start in August 2027. The position focuses on Adapted Physical Education (APE) and Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). The successful candidate will teach undergraduate kinesiology courses, develop an ongoing research programme, mentor and advise students, and contribute to academic and professional service.

World Abilitysport has opened applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), offering an opportunity for an experienced professional to lead the organisation and support the continued development of Para sport worldwide. The CEO will be responsible for the overall leadership, management and performance of World Abilitysport, including implementation of its Strategic Plan, governance, financial sustainability and delivery of international events.

Concepción, Chile, hosted the III Interuniversity Conference on Adapted Physical Activity and V Symposium on Adapted Physical Activity on 21–22 August 2026, bringing together the academic and local community to promote inclusion, collaboration, and access to physical activity and sport. The event was jointly organised by Universidad de Las Américas, Universidad de Concepción, and Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción. Students, academics, health and education professionals, athletes, families, and representatives from public and private organisations participated in lectures, presentations, and practical workshops.

International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS) has opened applications for a new UK Director to support the organisation’s continued development and growth across the United Kingdom. The organisation is seeking a candidate with a strong commitment to social inclusion and sport who can provide leadership for the next stage of IMAS activities in the UK. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to the development of Mixed Ability sport, an approach that brings people with and without disabilities together through inclusive participation in community sport.

The International Network for Qualitative Research in Disability and Physical Education (INQRDPE) will host the second seminar in its international series on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The online session will be led by Dr Fabián Arroyo and will focus on “(Post)Colonialism, Physical Education, and Disability.” The seminar will begin at 9:00 a.m. in New York, 10:00 a.m. in São Paulo, and 2:00 p.m.

Disability and Motor Behavior: Practical Applications, authored by Ali S. Brian and Pamela S. Beach, has been published by Bloomsbury Academic. The new 472-page textbook examines how motor behavior relates to disability, function, participation, and inclusive practice across the lifespan. The book combines theories of motor development with practical approaches to assessment, instruction, and intervention for individuals with disabilities. Contributions from specialists in motor development, therapy, and adapted physical education provide research-based perspectives alongside applications for professional practice.

A new invited editorial, “Adapted Physical Activity to Enable Participation of Children and Adolescents with Disabilities,” by Professor Kwok Ng has been published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. The editorial discusses how adapted physical activity (APA) can support meaningful participation beyond exercise and physical health. It highlights the importance of collaboration among children, families, professionals, schools, healthcare services, sport organizations, and communities.

The 18th Biennial Conference of the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (NAFAPA) was held from July 28-31, 2026, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. The conference welcomed researchers, practitioners, teacher educators, students, and community partners from North America and around the world to share knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and advance the field of adapted physical activity.

A new textbook, Understanding Adapted Physical Education, provides an updated introduction to adapted physical education by presenting current perspectives on disability, inclusion, and teaching practice. Edited by Justin A. Haegele and published by Routledge, the book will be released on 18 August 2026. Designed for undergraduate and graduate Adapted Physical Education (APE) courses, the 298-page publication moves beyond traditional medical models and adopts a social-relational understanding of disability.

Loughborough University is recruiting a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Para and Disability Sport within its School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. The full-time, open-ended position offers an opportunity to contribute to one of the world's leading academic environments for sport research, education, and innovation. The successful candidate will support research, teaching, and knowledge exchange while contributing to the University's internationally recognised work in Para and disability sport.

A new special issue of Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ) is now accepting abstracts under the theme "Para Sport & Paralympic Sport in a Global Context: Evidence and Practice in Participation, Performance, and Classification." The issue will be guest edited by Dr. Rafael Lima Kons (Federal University of Bahia, Brazil), Dr. Matías Henríquez (Santo Tomás University, Chile), and Dr. Luiz Gustavo Santos (Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Brazil).

The 19th International Symposium of the Asian Society for Adapted Physical Education and Exercise (ASAPE 2026) was held from 15–17 July 2026 at Shanghai University of Sport in Shanghai, China. The conference brought together researchers, practitioners, educators, and students to exchange knowledge and discuss current developments in adapted physical activity under the theme "New Tech, New Map." The scientific programme featured keynote lectures, oral presentations, poster sessions, and networking opportunities covering adapted physical activity, rehabilitation, inclusive education, disability sport, and emerging technologies.

Registration is now open for the next webinar in the collaborative research series between Special Olympics and the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA). Titled "Building Collaborative Education Research with Special Olympics Programs," the webinar will take place on 28 August 2026 at 3:00 PM (Central European Time). The session will focus on opportunities for researchers, educators, and Special Olympics Programs to develop collaborative research that supports inclusive education and strengthens school-based programming.

The July 2026 issue of Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ) is now available, presenting new research that advances knowledge and practice across adapted physical activity, disability sport, and inclusion. Volume 43, Issue 3 includes original research on a wide range of topics, such as Indigenous multisport events and disability, neuromuscular warm-up programs for Para taekwondo athletes, health-related physical fitness in Special Olympics Unified athletes and partners, and physical activity among people with spinal cord injury experiencing chronic pain.

The Adapted Physical Activity Research Unit (APARU) at the University of Worcester has submitted written evidence to the UK Parliament's Women and Equalities Committee as part of its inquiry into flexible working for disabled people. Drawing on research in disability, adapted physical activity, and participatory approaches, the submission argues that reducing the disability employment gap requires more than flexible working policies.

Professor Cindy Sit Hui-ping, President of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA), has received the Outstanding Research Impact Award 2025–26 from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in recognition of her outstanding contributions to research with significant societal impact. The award recognizes Professor Sit's project, "Promoting Physical Activity and Health in Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Transforming Active and Inclusive Schools through Adapted Physical Activity."

The latest issue of PALAESTRA (Volume 40, Issue 2) is now available, offering new research, practical insights, and professional resources related to adapted physical activity, physical education, recreation, and disability. This issue features a diverse collection of articles addressing participation, inclusion, education, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Research topics include the effects of a specialized physical activity program for a child with autism spectrum disorder, motivations for sport participation among athletes with visual impairments, and job satisfaction among adapted physical education teachers working in a large urban school district.

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ) has achieved significant growth in its latest journal metrics, reflecting the continued development and visibility of research in adapted physical activity, disability sport, and inclusion. According to the 2025 Journal Citation Reports, APAQ recorded a Journal Impact Factor of 2.6, representing a 63% increase from 2024. The journal also reached 1,542 total citations…

The Jordan Paralympic Committee (JPC) has launched the “JPC Clinics” mobile application, a new digital platform designed to improve access to healthcare and rehabilitation services for Paralympic athletes. The application allows athletes to book and manage appointments for a range of services, including sports nutrition, physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation, and psychological counseling. The initiative aims to simplify appointment scheduling, improve service coordination, and enhance the overall healthcare experience for athletes.

The European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity (EUCAPA) 2026 concluded successfully in Prague, Czech Republic, bringing together researchers, practitioners, students, and professionals from across Europe and beyond to share knowledge and advance the field of adapted physical activity. Hosted at Charles University, the congress featured presentations, workshops, and discussions across a range of themes, including physical education, parasport, rehabilitation, leisure-time activities, and psychomotricity.

Adapted physical activity and inclusive sport development were among the topics discussed during the opening day of the European Paralympic Committee (EPC) Policy and Development Hubs, an event focused on strengthening collaboration and capacity building across the Paralympic Movement. The programme addressed key themes including governance, legislation, inclusion, advocacy, learning, and professional development. Participants also received updates on new initiatives such as the Para Digital Academy, ParaManager, and the Para School Programme, which aim to support education and development opportunities within Para sport.

Applications are now open for the 16th Annual Pursuit Awards, an international competition recognizing outstanding research contributions in the field of childhood disability. The awards are organized by the Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Canada. The competition is open to PhD students nearing completion of their doctoral studies, postdoctoral trainees, and recent PhD graduates whose research focuses on improving the lives of children and youth with disabilities, developmental differences, or acquired injuries.

The recording of the second webinar in the 2026 Special Olympics–IFAPA Webinar Series is now available online. The session, titled “Building Collaborative Sport Research with Special Olympics Programs,” highlighted opportunities for researchers and Special Olympics Programs to develop meaningful partnerships that support inclusive sport and evidence-based programming. The webinar featured presentations from Dr. Roy McConkey, Dr. Franziska Loetzner, …

A new research initiative focused on inclusion, physical activity, and sport participation will be officially launched at the University of Worcester on 7 October 2026. The Adapted Physical Activity Research Unit (APARU) aims to establish Worcester as a leading centre for research on adapted physical activity, disability sport, and the experiences of marginalised communities. The launch event will bring together researchers, practitioners, students, policymakers, and community organizations to explore opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

A national conference focused on adapted and Paralympic sport will take place on June 3, 2026, at the Municipal Sports Center of Almirante Brown, Argentina. The 3rd National Congress on Adapted and Paralympic Sport will bring together professionals, educators, coaches, students, and community members interested in promoting sport participation for people with disabilities. Under the theme “Introduction to Different Adapted Sports”, the congress aims to provide participants with practical knowledge and tools to support the development of adapted sport within their local communities.

The North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (NAFAPA) has released Newsletter Issue 19 (May 2026), featuring updates related to the upcoming NAFAPA 2026 Conference in Hawai‘i, organizational elections, and professional development initiatives. The newsletter outlines important changes to the NAFAPA election process, including the transition to online voting prior to the 2026 conference. Self-nominations for board positions are open until…

The call for abstracts for the International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) 2027 is now open. The conference will take place in Jordan from June 21–25, 2027, bringing together researchers, professionals, practitioners, and students involved in adapted physical activity, disability sport, inclusion, rehabilitation, and related disciplines. ISAPA 2027 will provide an international platform for the presentation of current research, innovative practices, and collaborative initiatives that contribute to the advancement of adapted physical activity and inclusive participation.

The webinar “From Partnership to Practice: Building Collaborative Sport Research with Special Olympics Programs” will take place on May 22, 2026, from 9:00–10:00 AM EDT. The session is part of an ongoing collaboration between Special Olympics and the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity focused on strengthening inclusive and community-based research initiatives. The webinar will examine how partnerships between researchers, universities, and Special Olympics programs can support the development of evidence-based sport opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

A fully funded PhD studentship has been announced at Maynooth University, within the Department of Sport Science and Nutrition, in collaboration with Special Olympics Ireland. The four-year, full-time programme will be supervised by Dr. Liam Sweeney and Professor Kieran Moran. This PhD opportunity focuses on disability sport, with an emphasis on research that informs inclusive sport systems and athlete development pathways for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has launched the second call for the IPC Classification Research Grant, covering the period 2026–2028. The initiative aims to support multidisciplinary research projects that contribute to the development of evidence-based and best practice classification systems in Para sport. The application process will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 (Project Summary) is open from…

A webinar titled “Anti-Doping Overview for the Asian Para Games 2026: Rules, Medical, Education, Testing, and Results Management” will take place on May 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Dubai time) via Zoom. The session is part of the APC Anti-Doping Committee Webinar Series and aims to provide essential guidance for the upcoming Asian Para Games. The webinar is designed for…

A new reference article titled “Disability and Adapted Physical Activity”, authored by Kwok Ng, has been published in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Disability Studies. The article provides an updated overview of adapted physical activity (APA) and its role in promoting health, inclusion, and well-being for individuals with disabilities. The publication examines the historical evolution of disability perspectives, from the medical model to more inclusive and social approaches.

A new webinar series focused on collaborative research in inclusive sport has been launched in partnership with Special Olympics programs. The session titled “Building Collaborative Sport Research with Special Olympics Programs” will take place on May 22, 2026, at 09:00 (ET). The series aims to promote collaboration between researchers and Special Olympics programs across key areas such as sport, health and fitness, and education.

The VISTA 2025 Conference will take place online from May 18 to 29, 2026, offering free access to participants worldwide through a combination of live panels and recorded presentations. The updated format aims to maximize global participation and ensure continued knowledge exchange within the Paralympic research and practice community. The programme will include six thematic live sessions, each lasting two hours and led by internationally recognized experts.

A new online seminar series has been launched by INQRDPE, focusing on key topics in qualitative research, disability, and inclusive physical education. The first session, titled “Positionality & Reflexivity in Qualitative Research,” will be delivered by Dr. Antonios Ktenidis on May 6, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00 (GMT-4). The seminar will examine how researchers’ identities and experiences influence the research process, highlighting implications for ethical and rigorous practice.

The fourth edition of the MOOC “Sport, Disability and Inclusion” has been announced as a fully online, free, and open-access course. The program will run for 10 weeks, from April 6 to June 14, with an asynchronous format that allows flexible participation. The course aims to provide basic tools to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in physical activity and sport.

A new documentary titled “The Winter Paralympics: 50 Years in the Making” has been released, documenting the development of the Winter Paralympic Games over five decades. The film was presented by Dr. Christopher Brown, Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, and produced in collaboration with the National Paralympic Heritage Trust. The documentary features interviews with Paralympians including Mike Brace…

The journal Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ) has published Volume 43, Issue 2 (April 2026), featuring current research in adapted physical activity, disability sport, and inclusion. This issue includes studies such as “Examining Belonging Experienced by Blind and Visually Impaired Women in Physical Activity Spaces,” and “Developing Evidence-Informed Recommendations for the Management of Parasport Classification Using the AGREE II Instrument.”

The journal Palaestra has released Volume 40, Issue 1 (2026), presenting current research and practical content in adapted physical activity and disability. This issue includes several articles: “The Impact of an 8-Week Training Program on the Sportive Character and Moral Approaches of Wheelchair Tennis Players,” “Introduction to Adapted Physical Education: Recommendations for Content Implementation Throughout Methods Courses,” and “Perceived Health Quality of Life and Well-Being Outcomes through Participation in an Adapted Fishing Intervention.”

The UK Sports Institute has announced a vacancy for the position of Head of Performance Support (Paralympic), based in Sheffield, United Kingdom. This full-time, permanent role is part of a newly established Paralympic Specialist Service aimed at enhancing support for high-performance sport. The position will lead and coordinate multidisciplinary performance support teams working with Paralympic World Class Programmes. The role includes managing service delivery, aligning support with athlete and coach needs, and ensuring high standards of practice across programmes.

The 4th International Symposium on Physical Activity and Individuals with Visual Impairment or Deafblindness (ISPAVID 2027) will take place from July 5–8, 2027, in Rochester, New York, USA. The symposium will be co-hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and SUNY Brockport, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and professionals working in adapted physical activity and disability. The event will provide a platform to share research, practical approaches, and developments related to physical activity participation for individuals with visual impairment or deafblindness.

Paralympics Australia has announced an employment opportunity through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design and delivery of Disability Awareness Workshops across the national high-performance sport system. As the peak body for Paralympic sport in Australia, the organisation aims to strengthen understanding of disability and promote inclusive environments through its Para Literacy strategy. The selected provider will be responsible for delivering a national series of workshops to support athletes, coaches, and sport stakeholders.

A recording of the recent event held at the Saville Centre honoring the career and contributions of Dr. Bob Steadward is now available. The ceremony recognized Dr. Steadward’s long-standing impact on the development of the Paralympic movement and his contributions to research and education in sport for persons with disabilities. The event opened with a formal acknowledgement of Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis.

The recording of the webinar “From Partnership to Practice: Building Collaborative Research with Special Olympics Programs” is now available online. The session introduced a new webinar series aimed at strengthening collaboration between researchers and Special Olympics programs to support inclusive research and program development in sport, health, and education. The webinar featured perspectives from Special Olympics staff, academic leaders, and athlete representatives, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches to research that support inclusive sport opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

The Royal Moroccan Federation of Sports for Persons with Disability, in partnership with the Institute of Sports Professions at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra and the Higher Normal School of Hassan II University in Casablanca, has announced the International Congress of Parasport Sciences (CISPS’26). The congress will take place on April 21–22, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco, in a hybrid format, alongside the…