The world of disability is at the center of an evolution that may be slow and belated but decisive, aimed at adapting social and cultural systems to people with greater vulnerabilities: in compliance with an unavoidable principle of equity and in the interest of those directly involved, but also for reasons of collective and general benefit. Disability, in fact, is the paradigm of an increasingly long-lived and aging society, in which morbidity, discomfort, and reductions in psycho-physical efficiency affect a great many people, even more so considering those engaged in caregiving. Reducing physical and cultural barriers, making real and virtual spaces accessible, and facilitating assistance therefore means building better environments and living conditions for everyone, regardless of different health levels.

In this process, sport is recognized as an extraordinary potential tool: sports practice, in addition to bringing significant benefits on the therapeutic and rehabilitative level, provides a strong impetus for socialization. The notoriety acquired by athletes and sports figures such as Alex Zanardi, Bebe Vio, or Giusy Versace, to name just a few, reveals how Paralympic activities have gradually gained visibility comparable to that of competitions for able-bodied athletes, a theme well highlighted in “Il Superdisabile. Analisi di uno stereotipo” (The Super-Disabled. Analysis of a Stereotype), a publication edited by Marco Ferrazzoli, Francesca Gorini, and Francesco Pieri (published by Lu:Ce with the patronage of CNR and, in its second edition, Rai per il sociale) that analyzes the ongoing shift toward greater inclusivity.

Starting from this premise, the present project, funded by Procter & Gamble Italia, aims to: verify how accessible and utilized sports practice actually is by young people with disabilities, through a qualitative survey conducted with families, operators, social agencies, and institutions; carry out research that verifies and illustrates, with scientific rigor combined with an informative and communicative approach, problems and critical issues, social and territorial disparities, and best practices to be promoted. In this sense, the project aspires to serve as a catalyst for raising awareness in the sports world toward the inclusion, both practical and educational, of all physicalities. Today, sports organizations and facilities are not always prepared, and sport risks missing an opportunity if it does not reconsider the achievement of competitive results as its sole objective. Sport must always prioritize the dissemination of its culture and practice among people with disabilities, not only in the competitive context related to Paralympic disciplines, but by positioning itself as a catalyzing agent for inclusion and relationship processes in associations, clubs, local communities, and schools.