UK Deaf Sport supports Deaf Awareness Week 2016
Deaf Awareness Week runs from 2-8 May 2016 and the theme this year is ‘Common Purpose’, promoted by the UK Council on Deafness.
The week long campaign celebrates collaborative work that makes a difference to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
All this week UK Deaf Sport will be sharing stories and case studies from organisations and projects who share their common purpose – to enable more deaf and hard of hearing people to reach their full potential in sport.
The facts
Action on Hearing Loss says there is over 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss. That’s one in six of the UK population and this number is expected to grow to 15.6 million by 2035.
According to Sport England’s Active people survey 9, 2015, sports participation is lowest amongst people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Only 10.1% of deaf adults take part in sport once a week, compared to 39.3% of non-disabled adults.
In contrast, last year (2015) UK Deaf Sport conducted their first national sport and physical activity survey. The results of which reported a clear latent demand for more accessible sporting opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people. Key survey findings highlighted:
- More than eight in ten (83 per cent) people surveyed report that they are physically active at least once a week. However, less than half (46 per cent) of those surveyed currently play sport.
- In addition to those currently playing sport, a further one in three people surveyed (32 per cent) expressed an interest in playing sport in the future.
- Eight in ten (81 per cent) would prefer to take part in sport in a mixed environment, with both deaf and hearing people.
More results from UK Deaf Sport national sport and physical activity survey can be found here.
Common Purpose: encouraging participation
UK Deaf Sport recognises the importance that collaboration plays in delivering the common purpose of increasing deaf people’s participation in sport and physical activity. As a National Disability Sports Organisation, they work with a wide range of local, regional and national organisations to create opportunities more deaf people to participate, enjoy at excel at sport. Their work includes:
- DEAFinitely Inclusive accreditation scheme that supports local sport clubs and leisure providers to become more deaf aware and inclusive when running sport and activity sessions.
- DEAFinitely Inclusive networks bring together over 200 organisations from the sport and disability sector, to collaborate and discuss how they can innovate and adapt their opportunities to include deaf people.
Find out more about DEAFinitely Inclusive accreditation scheme and networks here. - In partnership with Sportscoach UK, they deliver ‘Effective Communication: Coaching Deaf People in Sport’ workshops around the country to improve the ability and confidence of sport coaches to communication with deaf people.
DEAFinitely Inclusive video (via YouTube)
Deaf Awareness Week 2016
This year to mark Deaf Awareness Week 2016, UK Deaf Sport will be sharing stories and case studies throughout the week from organisations and projects who share their common purpose – to enable more deaf and hard of hearing people to reach their full potential in sport.
