Disabled sport is becoming progressively more popular, with a greater proportion of people participating in sport than ever before. In recent years, funding for disabled sport has increased significantly, television coverage for sporting events has become more comprehensive and exciting, and more steps have been taken to include disabled people in local leisure provision.

Why is disabled sport important?

Sport is important for everyone and the government is spending millions of pounds trying to encourage people to take part in sports and do regular physical exercise. In recent years, obesity rates have increased significantly and care for obese people is costing the NHS billions of pounds. As a result, the government is keen to raise awareness of the dangers associated with a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Sport for disabled people is no different – physical exercise is as important for disabled people as it is for people without a disability and measures have been introduced to improve access to disabled sports facilities and improve provision of classes and sessions for disabled people.

Sport and exercise have a range of benefits for disabled people; physiological and mental health benefits, as well as social benefits. It is important that disabled people know they have the option to take part in sports and activities. Local councils are stepping up the campaign to include disabled people in sport – many have leisure passes for disabled people and several local disabled sport clubs and teams are forming all over the country.

Encouraging participation

Coverage of major events, such as the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic World Cup, helps to raise awareness of disabled sport and encourage people, not just disabled people, to get involved in sport. Spectators get the opportunity to see how well disabled athletes can perform, and feel inspired to see if they can excel in a sport. The Government has introduced a number of measures to raise awareness of disabled sport in conjunction with Sport England and The English Federation of Disability Sport. The EFDS also works with Mencap and Special Olympics Great Britain.

The Inclusive Fitness Initiative has also been launched to ensure that disabled people have access to fitness facilities. Gyms and leisure facilities will be awarded the Inclusive Fitness Mark if they comply with guidelines and make provisions for disabled people – the criteria for the mark includes accessibility to buildings and facilities, access to suitable equipment, training for staff so that they can cater for disabled people, marketing strategies to target disabled clients and inclusive, equal policies.