Globally, one out of six people experience significant disability - a number that continues to rise, according to World Health Organization. Yet, despite laws and high-profile events like the Paralympics, or widespread grassroots initiatives that connect sports with inclusion, true integration in the corporate world of sports remains rare. Too often, people with disabilities are overlooked and rarely given a seat at the table where decisions are made. 

Integrated Dreams and Football for All

José saw this gap and decided to act. “Anyone can live their dream in football, and having a disability does not mean they cannot be an agent of change for a better football and sport,” he claims. 

He founded Integrated Dreams to open doors for people with disabilities in sports, using football as a catalyst. His mission: to move beyond token participation and create real pathways to leadership and influence. 

 

The Football For All Leadership Programme: Unlocking Potential

At the heart of Integrated Dreams is the groundbreaking Football For All Leadership Programme. This international initiative is designed to empower people with disabilities to build careers, launch businesses, and grow their networks within the sports industry.

"We believe that disability is, and has to be, part of the plan; it's not a favor, it's a win-win," José explains.  

Developed in partnership with top universities and sports organizations, Football for All prepares participants for real-world success, whether that means landing a job in sports or launching their own ventures. The program unfolds in two stages:

Onsite Lecture Stage: An intensive 10-day experience in Lisbon, Portugal (and opening to new locations) where participants dive deep into the world of sports leadership.

Football for all workshop brainstorming

Project Development Stage: Over the next seven months, participants work from their home countries, developing projects or gaining hands-on experience through internships.

To join, applicants must have a disability, at least a year of experience in sports (as a professional, volunteer, athlete, coach, or supporter), strong English skills, and a commitment to both stages. The program is funded by participant fees, with scholarships and early bird options available.

 

 

Football For All 2.0: Going Global, Going Local

José recognizes that some of the criteria to participate can be discriminatory, as speaking English or traveling abroad can be challenging, especially when dealing with a disability.

This is why, with participants from over 20 countries, Integrated Dreams is scaling up. 

José and his team are launching Football For All 2.0, a new model that brings shorter, localized editions of the program to cities like Rome, Madrid, Hamburg, and Amsterdam, delivered in local languages. These local programs will connect to a global digital hub, offering ongoing training, resources, and a vibrant community. 

Every two years, top participants will gather for a global summit, where they can pitch their projects for funding. The ultimate goal: to create the world’s first digital hub connecting football clubs, federations, brands, and people with disabilities, sparking collaboration and innovation on a global scale.

 

Partnerships and Real-Life Impact

This ambitious vision is powered by key partnerships with organizations like Lenovo and FIFA. José is part of the cohort of leading social entrepreneurs supported by Lenovo through its global partnership with Ashoka, bringing not just funding, but cutting-edge technology and communications expertise. Meanwhile, FIFA’s global reach helps amplify the message. Together, they form a powerful alliance for inclusion, with major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 serving as launchpads for new initiatives.

Football for All workshop

But the real impact of Integrated Dreams is seen in the stories of its participants:

  • Victor became one of the first people with a disability hired by FIFA in the US, working in their League Department, not in a disability-specific role.
  • Jacob introduced audiodescriptive commentary to the US Soccer Federation after providing it at major FIFA tournaments, making the game accessible to more fans.
  • Bettina from Austria launched the first-ever women’s blind football Champions League, creating new opportunities for blind female athletes across Europe.
  • Gohar from Armenia made the national stadium accessible for wheelchair users and now serves on the Board of the Armenian Football Federation.
  • Jason in Northern Ireland was hired as a disability access officer after analyzing stadium accessibility.

Beyond professional achievements, the program sparks deep personal growth. A Nepali girl learned to swim for the first time, taught by an Australian Paralympic swimmer. Participants from different countries have teamed up to launch new initiatives, like amputee football in Atlanta. These stories show that the program is about more than career, but also about building confidence and network.  

José Soares and Integrated Dreams are proving that anyone can live their dream in football. By breaking down barriers and showing up as leaders, they’re reshaping the sports industry. Their message is clear: disability is not a barrier to leadership, innovation, or success.  

 

Ashoka and Lenovo are partnering to make technology a transformative force for positive change through social innovation, working closely with Ashoka Fellows from across the world. Learn more.   

The insights, ideas and messages in this article have all been extracted and developed by humans. An AI assistant supported the writing.