POLICY
BARRY HORNE CEO
We need proactive and meaningful change to help disabled people
P
rior to the pandemic, we had reason
Activity Alliance
Disabled people are twice as likely to be physically inactive
to feel quite optimistic about changing attitudes with a steady improvement to disabled people’s
participation in sport and physical activity. Our vision - fairness for disabled people in sport and activity – felt like a realistic ambition to achieve in a generation. There have always been significant disabled people’s activity levels. The stark reality is disabled people participate less than non-disabled people and they are also twice as likely to be inactive. This is not right or fair. The pandemic had a considerable impact on everyone’s lives, but insight shows disabled people are disproportionately
© SPORT ENGLAND
inequalities between disabled and non-
“NO ONE MUST FEEL LEFT OUT OR FORGOTTEN”
affected. The latest Sport England’s Active Lives Survey showed signs of a stabilisation
more inclusive future for everyone, and
of disabled people’s activity levels from
that includes for millions of disabled
the previous year. But the data shows that
people living in our communities. One
activity levels are still down compared to
in five people identify as being disabled
before the pandemic – and disabled people
– that is 11.5 million people and a large
are facing a slower return to activity.
proportion of everyone’s customer base.
Pre-pandemic numbers show inactivity
Boosting disabled people’s confidence
levels for disabled people had dropped
and reassurance to be active again or
to 40.4% in 2019-20. This year, 42.4% (4
for the first time is only one element
million) disabled people were classed as
in addressing these barriers. We need
inactive (doing less than 30 minutes of
leaders and activity providers to set
physical activity a week). This is compared
out what they will change right now.
to 22.6% of non-disabled people. We know from our own research that
It is vital that disabled people are included fully in the conversation as we make
disabled people face many barriers to
efforts towards a full recovery following
being active. The pandemic has both
the pandemic. To truly change attitudes,
exacerbated existing issues and created
and increase activity levels, there needs
new ones, which is why, at this crucial
to be involvement in decision making.
stage, it is vital we treat our recovery
We need to ensure every organisation
from the pandemic as a reset moment.
embeds inclusive practice in all they do.
We must use this as an opportunity to
Sport and activity bring incredible
rethink the way we do things inclusively.
benefits for individuals and for society. No
The priority must be for a fairer and
one must feel left out or forgotten. ●
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SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022
