ISAPA 2025: A Global Gathering for Inclusive Physical Activity in Tralee, Kerry

The International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) 2025 is set to be a landmark event in Tralee, Kerry, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates from around the world to advance inclusion in sport, physical activity, and health. Hosted by Munster Technological University (MTU), the conference will run for a week, featuring five key events that promise to inspire innovation, policy change, and best practices in adapted physical activity (APA).

MTU Kerry: Leading the Charge in Global Inclusion

MTU’s mission—“to lead change and, through education, empower people for a successful future in a globalised world”—aligns perfectly with the ethos of ISAPA 2025. The university has long been a pioneer in APA, with its UNESCO Chair in Transforming the Lives of People with Disabilities (awarded in 2013) playing a pivotal role in shaping global policy.

MTU’s involvement in European projects and its recent inclusion in the Ingenium Alliance—a consortium of ten EU universities—further strengthens its capacity to drive innovation in APA, public health, rehabilitation, and sports sciences. The university’s research excellence is evident in its contributions to the WHO 2020 Guidelines on Physical Activity for People with Disabilities, led by Dr. Catherine Carty, and ongoing projects on mental health and traumatic brain injury.

Five Key Events at ISAPA 2025

Delegates will have access to all five events, each addressing critical aspects of disability inclusion, health, and sport:

1. International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) 2025

   • The flagship event, featuring cutting-edge research and practices in APA.

   • Symposium Themes:

     • Creating new opportunities to thrive

     • ‘Inclusivizing’ our world

     • Nothing about us, without us

   • Aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and human rights frameworks.

     
     

2. International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment or Deafblindness

   • Focused on enhancing accessibility and participation for individuals with sensory impairments.

     
     

3. Mental Health Summit: Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Digital – Shifting the Dial for Better Outcomes

   • Exploring interdisciplinary approaches to mental well-being through movement, diet, and technology.

     
     

4. UNESCO – ISAPA International Consultation: Policy Change for Disability Inclusion in Sport

   • A follow-up to the Paris 2024 Call to Action, driving policy reform for inclusive sport.

     
     

5. Disability Sport, Physical Education and Mental Health Trade Exhibition

   • Showcasing innovations, products, and services that support inclusive participation.

     
     

Golf as a Game Changer: Therapeutic Recreation for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Today's Highlight: Golf as a Game Changer for ASD

At 15:30 today, ISAPA 2025 will feature a groundbreaking session titled "Golf: A Game Changer as Therapeutic Recreation for ASD", featuring:

• Adrian Whitehead,

• Edel Randles,

• Mike Keane,

• Erin Lozott,

  
  

This panel will explore how golf—often perceived as an exclusive sport—can be transformed into a powerful therapeutic tool for individuals on the autism spectrum. The speakers will present innovative case studies, discuss program adaptations, and share research demonstrating golf's unique benefits for motor skill development, social interaction, and emotional regulation.

Why ISAPA 2025 Matters

The symposium will highlight how APA intersects with SDGs such as Good Health & Wellbeing (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10).

A Call to Action for Global Inclusion

ISAPA 2025 is more than a conference—it’s a movement. By bringing together global experts, MTU Kerry is reinforcing its role as a leader in disability inclusion, policy advocacy, and innovative research. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, policymaker, or advocate, this event is an unmissable opportunity to shape the future of adapted physical activity.

Will you be part of the change?

For more details, visit www.isapa2025.com.