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Activity Alliance Annual Disability and Activity Survey (January 2020)

Published by Activity Alliance, research undertaken by IFF Research
Download Annual Disability and Activity Survey – full research report

This report, released in January 2020 by Activity Alliance, gives an in-depth comparison of disabled and non-disabled adults’ experiences of sport and activity. The report shows that four in five disabled people want to be more active but demand is not being met. Only two in five feel they are given the opportunity to be as active as they would like to be. Worryingly, this level of inequality is resulting in a more negative experience, including social isolation for many disabled people. 

Activity Alliance with support from Sport England comissioned this project. 

Statistics continue to show disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive as non-disabled people. This new report helps readers to understand the motivations, barriers and scope for improvement in more detail. It gives an in-depth comparison of disabled and non-disabled adults’ experiences of sport and activity.

Activity Alliance’s Annual Disability and Activity Survey complements Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey. With the focus on disabled people, this report goes into greater detail on perceptions, experiences and important issues. Future years will enable Activity Alliance and partners to compare and contrast gaps and trends in the market.

Key findings:

  • Four in five (81%) disabled adults want to do more activity than they currently do compared with fewer than three in five (57%) non-disabled people.
  • Just four in 10 (40%) disabled people feel they are given the opportunity to be as active as they would like to be compared with seven in 10 (71%) non-disabled people.
  • Disabled people are half as likely as non-disabled people to agree that ‘sport’ is for someone like them (32% vs 63%).
  • Seven in ten disabled people are motivated to be active to improve or maintain their physical health.
  • Two in five (41%) disabled people said a fear of losing benefits prevents them from trying to be more active.
  • Two in three (67%) disabled people said they would listen to GPs, doctors and nurses about taking part in activity.

Report recommendations:

To address the wider determinants of inactivity:

In our Activity Trap research, commissioned by the Dwarf Sports Association, we hear from Carly Tait, former wheelchair athelte. She tells us about her personal experience of being active and the benefits process. 

Design and lead a choice of accessible activities:

GOGA supports disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. Read Asmita's story about getting out and active in Nottingham.

Challenge perceptions through inclusive and accessible communications:

Who says it’s not a real sport if you have to adapt it? Our Who Says campaign calls time on negative perceptions about disability, inclusion and sport and asks – who says?

Download the research report below and join the conversation on social media using #ActivityAllianceSurvey.

Annual Disability and Activity Survey – executive summary (PDF download)

Annual Disability and Activity Survey – full research report (PDF download) (3 MB)