Natural beauty and heritage will provide the scenery for a globally significant event in Kerry, Ireland, in 2025. The 25th International Symposium on Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA 2025), combined with the 3rd International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment or Deafblindness and the World's Largest Disability Sports Exhibition, will bring together over 600 delegates from academia, government and civil society to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities through sport. Organised under the patronage of UNESCO, ISAPA 2025 is set to transform the way sport is viewed as a force for social change.
For Kerry, hosting ISAPA 2025 is an opportunity to display its world-class facilities and breathtaking landscapes and its commitment to promoting inclusion, sustainability and innovation. These events will serve as a direct continuation of the
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Call to Action on Disability Sport, reinforcing its mission to turn political commitments into real-world impact.
HQ speaks to
Catherine Carty, UNESCO Chair Manager at Munster Technological University (MTU), and
Becky Hargrove, Manager of the Kerry Convention Bureau, to find out how Kerry and ISAPA 2025 are preparing to change the game on global inclusion and legacy through sport.
Sport as a Universal Language
At the heart of ISAPA 2025 is recognising sport as a universal language. For Catherine Carty, the power of sport to promote inclusion and equality is unmatched.
“Sport is a language we all share and is increasingly used by UN agencies and others to support multiple development goals, including reducing inequality and building inclusive communities,” Catherine explained. “Sport can touch our lives in many ways, as participants, from elite to recreational levels; as spectators, online or live; as volunteers; or as part of a diverse career landscape, all of which need to be accessible to people with disabilities.”
Catherine highlighted the challenges that families with people who have disabilities face in accessing these opportunities, including financial, logistical and attitudinal barriers. “This often results in people with disabilities spending more time at home, isolated from their communities,” she said. “When sport becomes accessible, it opens the door to social inclusion, changes attitudes, improves health and well-being, and unlocks opportunities in education and employment. This doesn’t just improve life for individuals with disabilities but for all of us.”
Her thoughts mirror the powerful words of Nelson Mandela: “Sport has the power to change the world.”
The Paris 2024 Legacy: Bridging Policy and Practice
Building on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Call to Action, ISAPA 2025 will focus on translating policy commitments into actionable frameworks for inclusion. Regional forums during the event will bring together government representatives, academics and practitioners to discuss challenges and co-develop solutions tailored to their communities.
“Our symposium bridges the gap between policy and practice,” Catherine noted. “It’s not just about talking; it’s about ensuring that people with disabilities and their families see real, tangible changes in their daily lives.”
This commitment is reflected in ISAPA’s three guiding themes:
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Creating New Opportunities to Thrive: Expanding education, employment, and recreation access.
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‘Inclusivising’ Our World: Embedding inclusive practices across policies and societal norms.
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‘Nothing About Us, Without Us’: Empowering people with disabilities to lead and shape their futures.
A New Format for Lasting Impact

ISAPA 2025 will also break new ground with its innovative conference format. In addition to traditional academic sessions, the symposium will feature
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes offering certification through digital and in-person modules. These sessions will equip participants with the tools and confidence to implement inclusive practices across diverse settings.
“Many professionals are experts in a particular field, like autism or physical disability, but know little about inclusion in another area, say Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, deafblindness, mental health difficulties. We know lots of people want to be more inclusive, but they need to build competence and confidence,” Catherine explained. ISAPA’s CPDs are designed to build that competence and confidence.
The World’s Largest Disability Sports Trade Exhibition
The accompanying World’s Largest Disability Sports Trade Exhibition will provide a platform for over 60 exhibitors to showcase groundbreaking products and services. These range from adaptive sports technologies to innovative rehabilitation tools, giving delegates access to resources that can transform practices in their own regions.
“The exhibition is going to be fantastic. There are so many services and products, from medical devices to sports equipment. So many innovations can make sport, physical activity and health more accessible to all. Many people do not even know they exist like haptic technologies to enable blind and visually impaired people to experience a football game like never before. We are excited to house these things under one roof so that those who can impact practice in their region can see what's now available and they can share development with others. Anything that can break down barriers, open up accessibility, improve sport, health and wellbeing outcomes,” Catherine said.
Hosted by the Munster Technological University, the World’s Largest Disability Sports Trade Exhibition offers unparalleled opportunities for exhibitors and sponsors. Visit https://www.isapa2025.com/ for more information on how to participate.
Why Kerry?
Delegates at ISAPA 2025 will have the opportunity to explore Kerry’s cultural and natural treasures through a carefully curated programme that includes time for experiential activities. The programme seamlessly blends professional development with personal enrichment, from guided tours and cycling adventures to Irish cooking classes. Becky Hargrove highlighted that Kerry's selection as host reflects its unique combination of stunning scenery, state-of-the-art facilities and vibrant cultural heritage, a setting ideally suited to inspiring innovation and fostering meaningful connections.
“In contrast to meeting in a large city, meeting in Kerry offers attendees time away from crowded, busy lives in a place where the landscape serves as a catalyst for innovative thought and fresh perspectives, a place where ideas are nurtured and celebrated, and where impactful, long-lasting connections and memories are made,” Becky explained.
• World-Class Infrastructure
MTU's North Kerry Campus is at the heart of ISAPA 2025 and is home to the Kerry Sports Academy. This €20 million facility, open to the public and designed to foster collaboration between academics, start-ups and global companies, is ideally suited to an event of this scale.
• Cultural and Natural Immersion
Kerry’s iconic attractions, such as the Ring of Kerry, Skellig Michael, and the Gap of Dunloe, provide the perfect setting for immersive experiences. Delegates will also engage with the county’s Irish-speaking Gaeltacht regions, rich in music, theatre, and storytelling.
• A Knowledge and Innovation Hub
As Becky explained, Ireland (dubbed ‘the land of saints and scholars’) is renowned for learning and remains at the forefront of advances. Kerry, in particular, is recognised as one of Ireland's leading knowledge and innovation hubs, famous for its collaboration, expertise, and leadership in technology, engineering, and education.
Becky highlighted that Kerry is home to some of Ireland's most successful and innovative international companies, spanning both the private and public sectors. High-profile companies such as Liebherr, Dairymaster, Kerry Group, Fexco and Astellas have achieved international recognition. As a result, Kerry is a catalyst for innovation and fresh thinking, a place where ideas are nurtured and celebrated. Home to centres of excellence for knowledge, collaboration, innovation and industry development, choosing to meet in Kerry offers the opportunity to tap into local expertise that will add depth to any business event, bringing in a local perspective with Kerry industry professionals as guest speakers or take technical tours and factory visits around the region to add a sense of relevance too.
A Safe and Friendly Destination
Hospitality, safety and a warm welcome are the key strengths of Ireland and Kerry. Becky highlights these assets: “Lonely Planet has previously named Ireland the Friendliest Country in the World, and we consistently appear in lists from platforms like Trivago and TripAdvisor for outstanding service and sociable locals.”
Safety is another main attribute that enhances Kerry’s appeal as a business events destination. In 2024, the Global Peace Index, which ranks 163 nations worldwide on conflict, societal safety, and militarisation, rated Ireland the second most peaceful place on Earth. This reputation for peace and security makes Kerry a reassuring choice for international delegates.
Two of Kerry’s main business events hubs, Tralee and Killarney, have also earned Purple Flag awards. This international accreditation recognises excellence in the management of evening and night-time economies. This award underscores their status as safe and friendly environments to live, socialise, and work, further enhancing their appeal to leisure and business visitors.
Sustainability and Legacy
Kerry’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its long-standing inclusion in the Global Destination Sustainability Index. For ISAPA 2025, this commitment will be reflected in initiatives such as:
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Compostable name badges crafted at MTU.
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Locally sourced catering showcasing sustainable Irish produce.
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Walking and rolling buses to minimise environmental impact.
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Digital materials to reduce paper waste.
“Holding a future-focused event in Kerry, provides the opportunity for associations to connect with committed industry partners who will collaborate with you to empower your event to become a platform for positive impact. In Kerry, we not only dream of a better world but actively contribute to it through a wide range of destination and community-led initiatives. Our embrace of our environment extends beyond words; it is a pledge to protect our natural treasures while creating unforgettable moments for your attendees,” Becky said.
ISAPA 2025 was secured for Kerry with the support of the Meet in Ireland financial support programme. In her role as Kerry Ambassador, Catherine and MTU received bid support funding to present the bid at ISAPA 2023 in New Zealand. The 2025 event will also receive Programme Enhancement funding, designed to maximise delegate numbers and provide support towards social activities.
Shaping the Future of Inclusion
ISAPA 2025 is an example of what can be achieved when global ambition meets local expertise. Through its innovative format, focus on inclusivity and commitment to legacy, the symposium and satellite events will elevate the global discourse on adapted physical activity and leave a lasting impact in Kerry and beyond. The legacy of ISAPA 2025 will extend far beyond the event itself, aiming to establish a global framework for inclusivity while enhancing Kerry's position as a leader in hosting transformative business events.
“To make sport inclusive, we need to make communities inclusive, open people’s minds to be more inclusive and break down all the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from enjoying their community as others can,” Catherine concluded. “If we were designing ‘sport’ from scratch, it would look very different, focusing firstly on inclusion, participation, and enjoyment. That would be a real win. When universities don’t teach inclusion in sport and all other fields, they perpetuate exclusion and discrimination and ignore their human rights duties.”
Looking Ahead
As June 2025 approaches for the kick-off of ISAPA 2025, HQ readers can look forward to an exclusive feature in our March 2025 edition exploring Kerry as a business events destination.