Activity Alliance Urges Sport To Prioritise Disability Inclusion

Disability sport charity Activity Alliance has urged leaders in the sector to make disabled people a priority in the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, as it publishes a new survey showing the impact lockdown has had on disabled people’s activity levels. 

The charity says it is ‘seriously concerned’ about the potential long-term damage caused by inactivity, as new research shows twice as many disabled people felt that coronavirus greatly reduced their ability to do sport or physical activity compared to non-disabled people. 

Disabled people account for two-thirds of coronavirus deaths, while the pandemic has also had effects in other areas of the lives of people with a disability. 

According to the Activity Alliance study, disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive as non-disabled people. Meanwhile, 44% of disabled people feel they do not have the opportunity to be as active as they want to, compared to 29% of non-disabled people. Almost a quarter of disabled people say they have not received enough information about how to be active during the pandemic, compared with just 13% fo non-disabled people.

The study also addresses the impact the lack of activity has had on the physical and mental health of disabled people, with feelings of loneliness and social isolation voiced frequently. Activity Alliance says a fear of contracting the virus and a lack of space and support to be able to exercise safely at home, have become significant barriers for disabled people.

“The benefits of being active are clear. It matters for everyone’s physical and mental health and has enormous impact on our daily lives. So, it is never acceptable that disabled people should not reap these benefits too,” said Barry Horne, Chief Executive, Activity Alliance. 

“We appreciate we have a national crisis on our hands and leaders need to make tough decisions in sport and leisure. But we have not heard nearly enough about the impact on disabled people’s lives during the pandemic. No disabled person should ever feel forgotten or overlooked in the communities we all serve. 

“That’s why this insight is so important. We have listened to disabled people and urge decision makers to do the same, and act swiftly upon the findings. If we do not act now, we will witness inequalities widen even further, or unthinkably they may become irreversible. Prioritising disabled people is the only way to prevent this from happening. Every plan, every action and every penny spent must be tested against its impact on disabled people’s activity.”

The Activity Alliance annual survey follows the launch of Sport England’s 10-year strategy, Uniting the Movement, which highlights their ambition to tackle inequalities, especially for inactive people.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO, Sport England, backed the research, saying: “This past year has highlighted the challenges we face in making sure sport and physical activity is a normal part of life – for everyone.

“We take our responsibility in tackling these inequalities and supporting organisations like Activity Alliance extremely seriously and working to remove barriers and make activity more accessible for disabled people underpins our new strategy.

“It is important that everyone is able to feel the benefits of being active, which can help unlock the door to a happier, healthier and more fulfilled life.”