The company’s sponsorship had been due to conclude after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games but they now will remain as US Paralympics' Official Disability Insurance Sponsor until 2020.

As part of the partnership, The Hartford have sponsored and organised events featuring Paralympic athletes across the United States to enable their business partners and clients to receive a "meaningful experience" in the course of everyday business.

In turn, the athletes are able to promote awareness, particularly within businesses, about the value which employees with disabilities can bring to the workplace.

Since becoming a founding partner of US Paralympics in 2003, The Hartford have staged more than 2,500 events.

“We are proud to be a founding partner of US Paralympics and excited to continue to help its athletes train and compete at a world-class level,” said Christopher Swift, The Hartford’s chairman and chief executive.

“US Paralympic athletes perfectly embody our ability philosophy, which is grounded in the belief that people are defined by their ability, not their physical limitations.”

Brad Snyder, who has been selected as The Hartford’s national Paralympic ambassador for 2016, is due to speak at South By Southwest, the annual film, music and technology festival in Austin during March.

The swimmer, who won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games exactly one year after an explosion from an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan cost him his vision, will join fellow Paralympic champion Alana Nichols in a panel discussion.

They will debate the question “can we predict the death of disability as we know it today?” in their session at the festival, which attracts around 85,000 people, and will cover how technology is levelling the playing field between able-bodied and disabled people.

Snyder will also feature in the company’s advertising and at their events throughout the course of the year.

“The support that The Hartford provides me and US Paralympic athletes is invaluable as we train for a spot on Team USA to compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games,” said Snyder.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity with The Hartford to share my story of prevailing and show what’s possible with the right technology and team behind you.”

The Hartford are also due to be the presenting sponsor of the Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year, a fan-voted award, which will be handed out in October.