The 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games offer an unprecedented opportunity to advance disability inclusion and equity not just within sports arenas, but across the entire city of Los Angeles. Under the ADA 2028 framework, local government, the LA28 organizing committee, and community organizations are working together to build a more accessible and inclusive city that delivers lasting benefits for all Angelenos with disabilities.
The Games for All Vision
The official commitment of Los Angeles to host "Games For All" in 2028 places disability inclusion at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic planning process. This vision encompasses physical accessibility at venues, inclusive communications in multiple formats including Braille and ASL, accessible transportation networks, employment and volunteer opportunities for people with disabilities, and cultural programming that celebrates the achievements of disabled athletes and community members.
Attitudinal vs. Physical Barriers
Scott Blanks, Vice President of Accessibility and Employment at the Braille Institute, has emphasized that the greatest barriers for people with disabilities are not always physical — they are often attitudinal. The LA28 Games provide a platform to challenge stereotypes, shift perceptions, and demonstrate that people with disabilities are fully capable of excelling in every area of life. The visibility of Para-athletes from around the world competing in Los Angeles will be a powerful statement about human potential.
Youth Sports and Adaptive Athletics
The LA28 organizing committee has partnered with the PlayLA program, which offers free and adaptive sports programming across Los Angeles. Adaptive swimming, wheelchair sports, and other inclusive athletic programs have collectively reached over one million participants. The 2028 Games aim to catalyze significant growth in adaptive youth sports, creating pathways for young Angelenos with disabilities to pursue athletic excellence.
Employment and Economic Inclusion
LA28 has committed to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities across all aspects of Games preparation and delivery, from construction and logistics to hospitality and volunteer roles. The appointment of the city's first Accessibility Chief within the Office of Major Events also signals a long-term commitment to disability inclusion in civic leadership, with benefits that will extend well beyond the Games themselves.