ParaSport Ontario is a non-profit organization that was established in 1981 and incorporated in 1988. PO has four member Provincial Multi-Sport Organizations:
In addition to the four member organizations, ParaSport Ontario partners with eight other Provincial Sport Organizations in organizing the Ontario ParaSport Summer and Winter Games including:
ParaSport Ontario (PO) is partially funded by the Ontario Government through the Ministry of Health Promotion and relies on grants, fundraising and sponsorship for approximately 75% of its annual budget.
A volunteer Board of Directors, that includes the Presidents of all four member Provincial Multi-Sport Associations, governs the organization. One subcommittee of the board is the Ontario Games Council, which is responsible for all games related policies and procedures.
PO affiliates a variety of ParaSport Clubs and more than 1800 athletes (inclusive of OALASA, OBSA, OCPSA, and OWSA) on a yearly basis. These athletes are given the opportunity to compete in Regional and Provincial Level competitions. PO works in collaboration with Host Communities and 12 Provincial Multi-Sport Organizations and Provincial Sport Organizations in delivering Summer and Winter Multi-ParaSport Games as well as ParaSport Expos.
PO is also very proud of its development programs that include “Ready Willing and Able” and a “Community Sport Development Program”. Through these programs, PO delivers introductory sport sessions to athletes, coaches and officials throughout Ontario, and partners with communities to develop new ParaSport Clubs for athletes with physical disabilities. In addition, ParaSport Ontario works with Ontario municipalities to develop Accessible Sport Councils.
PO produces a 44 page annual magazine that is published just prior to ParaSport Games. PO holds an annual fundraising “Concert for Inclusion” in the fall which helps support PO development programs. In addition, PO presents annual awards that recognize the outstanding achievements of athletes and volunteers.