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Disability and Accessibility

Karate should be open to everyone

Disabled people are involved in karate in many ways. Many train in mainstream classes, some compete in Para Karate, others coach or volunteer, and often people do a combination of these roles.

A disability does not define what someone can achieve in karate. Some people may benefit from adjustments to communication, facilities, equipment or how an activity is delivered, while others may not need any changes. Examples of adjustments include using visual cues and demonstrations, providing information in accessible formats, offering flexible class formats or rest breaks, allowing assistance from a support person, modifying equipment such as larger targets or adapted pads, and ensuring venues are accessible for everyone.

At the EKF, we are committed to making karate as accessible as possible and to removing barriers that prevent people from taking part, developing and progressing.

Here you will find information for disabled karateka and their families, as well as practical resources for clubs, coaches and organisers.

Accessibility starts with the individual

Disability includes a wide range of experiences, and there is no single approach to making karate accessible.

A wheelchair user, somebody with a limb difference, a person with a long-term health condition and somebody with an intellectual impairment may all experience completely different barriers. Even two people with the same condition may want or need different things.

The best place to start is simple: listen to each person and ask what would help them take part.

Sometimes the answer is a physical change to the venue. Other times, it might be adapting a drill, allowing a support person, changing how information is shared or providing more details before someone attends.

Accessibility is not about lowering standards. It is about removing barriers that are unrelated to someone's ability to learn and enjoy karate.

Activity Alliance uses a similar person-centred approach, encouraging clubs to focus on the individual rather than the impairment and to make it easy for disabled people to discuss their needs privately.

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Para Karate

Para Karate offers a competitive pathway for eligible disabled athletes, but it is just one part of making karate inclusive for everyone.

The Para Karate competition includes classes for athletes with visual impairments, intellectual impairments, and eligible physical impairments, with classification used to ensure fair competition. Para Karate focuses on kata rather than kumite.

Disabled karatekas do not need to compete in Para Karate just because they have a disability. They can train or compete in mainstream karate, Para Karate, or both, depending on their circumstances, goals and eligibility.


Learn more about Para Karate

Guides & useful resources

Wheelchair Karate Coaching Guide

Our karate-specific guide offers practical information for coaches working with wheelchair users, including how to adapt techniques and understand each athlete as an individual. Published 2021 · Currently under review We are reviewing the guide to ensure its terminology, information and recommendations stay current and useful.

View the guide

Disability Inclusion Hub

This short online tool helps clubs assess how inclusive and accessible their current offer is for disabled people. It looks at the organisation, how activities are promoted and who delivers them, then directs clubs to practical resources that can help.

Use the Disability Inclusion Hub

Access for All

This guide offers practical advice for making sports venues and activity spaces more accessible. It covers the whole experience, from finding accessibility information and travelling to a venue to entrances, changing facilities, lighting, sound, communication and accessible indoor spaces.

Explore Access for All

Inclusive Activity Programme

This programme introduces inclusive sport and physical activity for coaches, volunteers, families and activity providers. It covers participation barriers, inclusive communication and practical ways to adapt activities, helping everyone stay involved in meaningful participation. Please bear in mind this does cost £24 but it is a great resource.

Explore the Inclusive Activity Programme

Building a more accessible karate community

As we continue to develop our inclusion work, we aim to improve the support available to disabled karateka, families, clubs and coaches. This includes reviewing our guidance, providing clearer information about reasonable adjustments and Para Karate, and working with specialist organisations who understand disability and accessible sport. If your club or organisation would like advice or support on accessibility or inclusion, please contact us by email or phone, or use our contact form. We encourage clubs and coaches to reach out with any questions or to discuss how we can help.

We also want to understand the practical barriers people face before they reach the tatami, such as finding an accessible venue, knowing what facilities are available, travelling to training or having enough information to feel confident attending for the first time.

Where good guidance already exists, we will help people find it. Where karate needs something more specific, we will work to develop it.


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