EFDS welcomes new sport strategy’s push for disabled people’s inclusion

The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) warmly welcomes “Sporting Future” the Government’s “New Strategy for an Active Nation”, which aims to increase the engagement of people who have been less active, including disabled people. Released today, the Strategy follows several months of Government public consultation and EFDS is greatly encouraged by the genuine opportunity it creates for disabled people to be active.

EFDS, the national charity, dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity, has welcomed the priority Government is giving to focussing more on groups who are less likely to be active. The announcement comes a week after the Sport England Active People Survey revealed consistently low figures for disabled people, confirming the fact they are still half as likely to be active as non-disabled people.

Sporting Future recognises the significant challenge we all face in addressing the under-representation of disabled people in sport and active recreation. In a bid to change this landscape, the Strategy acknowledges that previous approaches have often failed to engage disabled people effectively. EFDS is pleased to note the shift in the language away from an exclusive emphasis on ‘sport’, expanding it to a much wider definition of being active. This is backed with positive changes in how future activity will be funded and measured.

The Strategy reinforces the need to build on insight and progress already made, including reference to our successful Talk to Me principles, released in 2014. One of ten principles, ‘stay local to me’, is amplified by the Strategy’s greater emphasis on local, strategic leadership in getting more people active. EFDS agrees that there is a real need for local partners to bring active recreation in as a central component of local planning and delivery.

EFDS is also pleased to learn of the potential to shift funding to projects that can evidence that they are relevant, effective and marketed well. This echoes EFDS findings that this country needs more opportunities, which respond to disabled people’s needs and preferences. Our insight shows engaging disabled people through customer-centric approaches could be more beneficial than traditional methods.

The Strategy calls for the right mix of marketing methods and EFDS continues to lead the way in promoting inclusive marketing communications within sport and physical activity. This is shown through increasing demand for EFDS’s Inclusive Communications Guide and associated advice. We will continue to support all partners, including Sport England, to improve delivery and measurement methods. This includes making organisations fit for purpose, with the focus on improving inclusive leadership and their commitment to better offers for groups, who can gain most from being active.

Barry Horne, Chief Executive for EFDS, said:

“We are encouraged by this new strategy and its aim to address the many barriers disabled people face when trying to access opportunities. Sporting Future advocates the use of our well researched “Talk to Me” principles but that research is just one example of the extensive EFDS insight which can help organisations change how they work.

“Being inclusive and accessible is no longer ‘a nice thing to do’. It is essential that the right support is in place to ensure that disabled people can be active for life. To back this improvement, Sport England will be able to direct its significant funding to a wider range of activities.

“Plans to get people active need to be as relevant to the average gym goer or recreational cyclist, as they are for the potential elite sports person. If disabled people are to have genuine choice, then the opportunities need to be as comprehensive as those available to non-disabled people.”

Over 9.4m people in England, consider themselves to be disabled. There are also many more people living with impairments and long-term health conditions, who do not relate to the term ‘disabled person’. Ensuring all opportunities are inclusive and accessible for every participant will benefit a wide number of groups, including the high number of disabled people in older age groups. This is something, which EFDS reinforced in its contribution to the Strategy.

EFDS is delighted to see that Sport England is to widen its participation objectives to include children five years old upwards. Government, alongside all relevant partners, will also back inclusion principles within sporting education from a young age. 

Horne continues: 

“It is important that this new strategy points to lifelong activity. The fact there are more disabled people in older age groups means it is even more crucial that we lay the right foundations from a young age for everyone.

“EFDS is aware of the impact you can have on all children, as seen through the Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All programmes. If we have positive active experiences- from early years to school and beyond- if we do become disabled later on in life, there is a greater chance that we will still be motivated to be active.” 

Research indicates that low numbers of active disabled people is not down to lack of interest. In EFDS’s 2013 Lifestyle Report, seven in ten disabled people said they want to be more active. Other EFDS reports such as Motivate Me suggest that whilst many opportunities exist, the low participation level can be that either disabled people are unaware of opportunities available to them or the activities offered are not appealing enough.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, EFDS Honorary President, was named as Chair for the new ‘Duty of Care’ working group to ensure that people in sport at all levels can participate safely. EFDS supports inclusive safeguarding and will look to work closely with Grey-Thompson. We want to ensure disabled people never experience or worry about abuse or harassment at any participation level. 

In EFDS’s current strategy, the charity outlines two broader outcomes. Firstly, enhanced health and wellbeing for all disabled people, which focuses on improved wellbeing and quality of life. Secondly, an equal society in which disabled people can achieve through increased opportunities and choice. These chime well with the Government’s aim within Sporting Future, where everyone can reap the benefits of an active lifestyle.

In the New Year, EFDS will review and refresh its organisation’s strategy for 2016-2021. We will use our insight to help deliver the Government’s strategy as well as the upcoming Sport England strategy. Through continued collaboration, we will be able to engage more people within the wider definition of disability and give greater emphasis on those who are inactive or less active.

For more information or to request interviews on or before Friday 18 December, please email Sarah Marl on smarl@efds.co.uk or call 07764 291671.