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A year of the Charter for Change - playing your part in improving opportunities

One year ago the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) launched the Charter for Change.

The launch marked a starting block for change, which our charity hopes will lead to many more disabled people being active for life. Now, 12 months on, organisations continue to back the Charter, ensuring they play their part in improving opportunities.

EFDS Honorary President, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, and then-Chair of the Disability Sports All Party Parliamentary Group Gerry Sutcliffe MP, revealed the Charter at the Houses of Parliament.

As Baroness Grey-Thompson said at the time:

“Being active has so many social, health and economic benefits for everyone. So it is concerning that more organisations do not prioritise disabled people’s activity in their work. We know it is not one simple change needed to improve the continual low numbers of active disabled people. It could involve many short or long term changes.

“I am delighted to be a part of the Charter’s launch and hope to see more organisations commit to change.”

Research shows that most disabled people are not as active as they would like to be and that demand is not being met. EFDS’s Lifestyle Report, released in 2013, found that seven in 10 disabled people want to increase their physical activity.

Charter video

The Charter for Change is a result of EFDS and its partners’ rising concern over the low participation rates and the increased gap between disabled people's and non-disabled people’s activity.

Speaking at the Charter’s launch, EFDS Board member Dr Phil Friend OBE, a renowned disability rights advocate, said:

“What, in 20 years from now, will people say about disabled people’s participation in sport?

“This Charter is the beginning of something, and it’s really important. This is a vital moment in the participation of disabled people, not just actively engaging with sport but making a massive contribution to the way sport is run and how we go about engaging people.

 “I think the Charter is a brilliant step forward and I really support it.”

In the months following the launch, a number of organisations have pledged to back the Charter. It sets out what disabled people say they need to make progress possible and outlines three asks:

  • Everyone involved in providing sport or physical activity will support disabled people to participate.
  • Disabled people will have the same opportunity as non-disabled people to be active throughout their lives.
  • All communications about sport and physical activity will promote positive public attitudes towards disabled people’s participation.

EFDS published a series of blog posts throughout the year, with Charles Reed, Chair of the charity, describing the Charter as a “long-term change opportunity.”

He continued:

“Many people still regard disabled people as a single homogenous group and imagine there should be a simple solution to the issue of participation growth in sport and physical activity.

“This is far from the truth. It’s a complex and multi-faceted task but if the providers of opportunities on the one hand and the Disabled People’s Organisations on the other, study the facts presented in the Charter, follow our ten principles and support the three “asks” through their actions and their lobbying, then I believe we will deliver a step change improvement and Make Active Lives Possible for all disabled people.”

Following the publication and launch of the Charter, a series of bloggers contributed to pieces on the EFDS website focusing on current and potential impact.

And the Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson MP, championed the Charter for Change at an event in Westminster in November, urging organisations to back the campaign. 

A year on from the Charter's unveiling, EFDS continues to call upon organisations and key leaders to firmly commit their support.

EFDS believes that everyone, especially those within Government, sport, fitness, health, education, third sector and media, as well as those in wider communications, have the power to change minds and increase the number of active disabled people.

Is your organisation backing EFDS’s Charter for Change? Read more about the Asks involved and support disabled people to be active for life.