Jonnie Peacock and Hannah Cockroft have said the new Premier League and BT Disability Programme will have a big impact on people across the country.
The pair, who both won gold for Britain at this summer's Rio Paralympic Games, were at the launch of the progamme that will be delivered by clubs over the next three years.
They watched as Down Syndrome, visually impaired, Powerchair football and sitting volleyball teams from 10 clubs displayed their skills at the London Stadium, the home of the 2012 Paralympics.
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"This campaign is so important because it's going to change so many lives," Peacock told premierleague.com. "Giving kids that opportunity to play sport is going to make a huge difference. I would have loved to have this when I was younger.
"It's awesome to see how everything is progressing and the weight that Premier League and BT have together, they can really push it to a high level.
"Opportunity is the main thing, you never know how good you are at something until you try. I didn't know I would be a sprinter until I tried it one day. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that opportunity."
The new initiative will use the profile and expertise of the Premier League, BT and professional football clubs to inspire disabled people to become more active as well as develop new skills and confidence.
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And Cockroft, who has won five Paralympic gold medals, said the programme shows that disability sport is more than the Paralympic Games.
"This programme is not about creating elite athletes, it's about giving people a sport and a life," she said. "Sport made me confident, it brought me out of my shell and made me realise that disability was not something to hide. It was something to be proud of.
"For a lot of people that is still something they need to get over. Going round and watching the activity at the London Stadium, all you see is happiness, excitement and self-acceptance.
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"And whether they just want to do it for fitness, activity or they want to be the best in the world, they have all got a genuine reason to be here."
The programme will allow clubs to expand and extend the disability offer they deliver while giving them the opportunity to employ a designated member of staff to co-ordinate the initiative.
And as well as the sporting activities, the programme will also provide chances for participants get involved in other areas of community activity, including coaching and employment.
"One message I always try to send out when competing is there is no such thing as 'can't'; there is always a way to be involved," Cockroft said. "That the Premier League and BT have joined up to send out this message is just fantastic."
