Sport for people who experience disability: Evidencing impact through social return on investment (SROI)

Nicolas Scelles, Yuhei Inoue, Seth Joseph Perkin and Maurizio Valenti

Chapter 25 in Research Handbook on Sport in Europe, 2026, pp 272-283 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: There is limited understanding of how the social impact of disability sport participation can be measured. To fill this gap, there is value in providing an indicator that helps sport organizations evidence and communicate on the positive impact of disability sport participation in a way that is understood and usable by policymakers. The social return on investment (SROI) method addresses this challenge through informing about the social value of an offer. In this chapter, we first identify the main issues associated with defining disability, understanding disability sport and assessing the social impact of disability sport participation, before making the case for the use of SROI when conducting such an assessment. We then review what we know about the SROI of disability sport participation, starting with evaluations undertaken in Canada before moving to assessments conducted in the United Kingdom. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced for future research and policy.

Keywords: Social impact; Disability sport; Sport participation; Policymakers; Policy challenges; Vulnerable groups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035338382
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