The 25th International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) 2025 successfully took place at the Munster Technological University, Kerry North Campus, in Tralee, Ireland. ISAPA 2025 brought together nearly 500 delegates from across the globe. This landmark event brought together international experts, researchers, educators, policymakers, and practitioners dedicated to advancing physical activity and sport for individuals with disabilities.
For the first time, ISAPA 2025 united five key initiatives into a single, comprehensive program: 1. The main ISAPA conference, 2. The Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment or Deafblindness, 3. The Mental Health Summit, 4. The UNESCO–ISAPA International Consultation on Policy Change for Disability Inclusion in Sport, and 5. A Disability Sport and Physical Education Trade Exhibition. This integrated structure fostered dialogue across sectors and disciplines to promote inclusion, knowledge exchange, and innovation. In addition, the event served as the official venue for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Special Olympics International (SOI) and the IFAPA.
Held under the patronage of UNESCO, ISAPA 2025 aligned with international priorities for inclusive sport and social development. Participants engaged in certified continuing professional development (CPD) sessions, policy consultations, expert masterclasses, and local outreach initiatives, emphasizing capacity building and community impact.
The event reaffirmed a collective vision to expand adapted physical activity to underserved populations—especially those with visual impairments, deafblindness, intellectual disabilities, and mental health conditions. This was done to encourage mobilizing policy, education, and practice around the principle of reaching the furthest behind first.
