Disability and Sport Industry Veterans Form Disability & Sport Collective

A network of 11 sport industry leaders have launched the Disability & Sport Collective to foster a sport community that recognizes disability as a business imperative.

The Collective aims to support sport organizations that create programs, experiences and environments that prioritize disability inclusion. The curated group of experts will work with organizations across the United States to unlock the potential of the $164 million disability and sport market, and the overall $1 trillion disability market.

“Some of the biggest names in sport are already capitalizing on disability inclusion and doing well with engaging disabled athletes, fans and consumers, but the market potential remains massive and will only continue to grow,” said Dawna Callahan, Collective expert, and founder and CEO of All in Sport Consulting. “We work with organizations across the country to help them seize the opportunity to drive impact, innovation and measurable business results in the disability and sport markets.”

Over the next decade, the United States will host two Olympic and Paralympic Games. During this period, the Collective will look to work with sport organizations to leverage events by partnering with sport venues, teams, host cities, media, sport technology, inclusive apparel and products, and grassroots programs.

Growth Opportunity

The recent Adapted Sport: Economic Impact Survey Findings Report revealed that the total economic impact of adapted and para sport-related events across the U.S. reached an estimated $163.97 million in 2024, a 14 percent increase over 2023. And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the more than 61 million Americans living with disabilities, and their friends and family, represents a $1 trillion market.

“The business of disability and sport is the most overlooked asset in the sports economy today, and those who invest now will profit as they lead the future of sport,” said Jonathan Kaufman, Collective expert and inclusion, innovation and strategy consultant. “Disability inclusion is not a social initiative. It a long-term growth strategy that delivers a significant return on investment.”

Diverse Backgrounds and Experience

The 11 sport industry leaders who formed the Collective bring a wide range of expertise in areas ranging from capacity building and program development, to economic insight and sport facility analysis. The network of experts is also designed to be a representation of the wide spectrum of the disability community, offering the lived experience that creates a unique point of view.

“As a Paralympic medalist, I’ve experienced the progress that has been made in disability and sport throughout my career, but there is so much more to do,” said Anna Johannes, PLY, Collective expert and founder of On the One Hand Consulting. “I’m proud of this unique group of experts for coming together to support organizations in reframing the narrative around the business of disability and sport in a way that contributes to their own bottom-line success. It’s a win for everyone.”

The full roster of Collective experts is: Josh Barney, CEO of SEAT (Sports & Entertainment Alliance in Technology) Conference; Rebecca Bressler, inclusion sports specialist; Dawna Callahan, founder and CEO of All in Sport Consulting; Ann Cody, PLY, global sports leader; Skip Flanagan, mental performance coach and co-founder of National Deaf Athlete Center; David Greig, adapted sport program leadership and athlete development and coaching at ParaSport Spokane; Lacey Henderson, PLY, mental performance coach, Portland Timbers and NBC Paralympic Games broadcaster; Anna Johannes, PLY, founder of On the One Hand Consulting; Jonathan Kaufman, inclusion, innovation and strategy consultant; Chanel Keenan, disabled fan and employee accessibility consultant; and Tracy Vollbrecht, adaptive apparel and universal design consultant.